Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controller - Charge Controllers for Solar Panels - 75V, 15 amp, 12/24-Volt

This is an excellent Solar Charge Controller, but to configure it, you need to also buy the separate Bluetooth adapter. Once I had both in hand, I set them up to charge my RV's house battery with an older pair of 12-volt solar panels, wired in parallel.Using the Victron app, I discovered the panel's output voltage was not high enough to charge the batteries, even though the controller's "Bulk" LED was lit on the controller (the controller requires the charging source voltage exceed the battery voltage by at least 5 volts, and in my test case both voltages were about 12.5 volts).After re-wiring the panels in series, I was able to see actual charging happening as the panel voltage exceeded the battery voltage by more than the threshold required (the displayed panel voltage was in excess of 20 volts). After a few hours, I observed the controller's LEDs transitioning from Bulk to Absorption to Float. It was very satisfying seeing the MPPT function at work as the input voltage and amperage were adjusted to supply optimum charge voltage and current to the battery.There is some confusion as to whether this controller has built-in Bluetooth and in fact it does not. Having to buy an additional Biuetooth adapter is annoying to some who are familiar with Victron's other range of devices that have it built in (and I was one of the annoyed people). The aggravation is intensified once it's understood that only a couple of parameters can be controlled except using Bluetooth and the Victon app.Some of the competition also sells their Bluetooth dongles as an extra cost device, for example, the Renogy Rover Charge Controller (I know because I own one). In the case of the Rover, all functions can be configured on the unit using the buttons and seeing what is happening on the built-in LCD display. Configuring by way of the buttons is a bit tedious, though.Having the Bluetooth not built in is a security advantage in that once configuration is complete and the Bluetooth dongle is removed, no unauthorized changes can be make to the setup. Also, the dongle can be used for any number of similar devices.The unit is compact in size and has no user interface, except through the app. It seems well built with an attractive Victron-specific industrial design. I do question its lack of a heat sink on its backside; time will tell if that's a liability. By skipping that and removing the Bluetooth function from the controller, Victron is able to sell this device at a reasonable price.All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase.

This is a solid charge controller—I now own three of them. I use one in an off-grid camper with solar panels and another to maintain battery levels on an off-grid generator.The unit is simple to wire, with clear LED indicators showing charging status. It feels well-built and durable, with no issues so far. Great value for basic off-grid power setups.

If you search online there are several ways to connect these victron devices to home assistant using a cheap esp device. Once your system is big enough to need a cervo GX their mppt control seems great. For now since this is my only device this working well, able to see so much historical data.

I tested the unit with combinations of 1 , 2 and 3 panels in series. It performed well in all 3 tests. The current increased in almost the exact multiple of the number of panels. The only down side is not being able to adjust the voltage parameters of the charge. To monitor or adjust requires an additional part. (bluetooth adapter)This is a decent tradeoff, since the unit seemed to recognize the battery type and control correctly. Just dont know the float voltage setpoint. This is 2 to 3 times the price of a PWM model but truly worth it. Dont waist money on cheap PWM models, the MPPT will give you the output you deserve from your panels.

This is my first Victron charge controller after several Renology controllers. In comparison, the renology units give you the same features for half the cost, so I'm rolling the dice that this unit will provide twice or more of the quality over the Renology offerings. Renology charge controllers seem to be hit-and-miss in their lifespan.Out of the box this unit works fine. The MPPT does work and provided a 15-20% increase in output over the PWM controller in use previously. Note that in a 12V system, it doesn't wake up until PV input reaches 17V, which may be important to you.There is very little configuration you can do with this unit out of the box. If you want to adjust set points you've got to buy a control module, either an interface to phone/PC or the little LCD panel, and you've got to give up three-four cups of starbucks for the interface cable, which does not come with the controller (or the LCD controls I ordered separately). So the cost adds up.The MPPT doesn't seem as "fast" as the renology units, but again, the real world gains as a MPPT are there.There are some intelligent features unique to Victron, such as reducing automated load times if needed to aid a battery in returning to full capacity. The charge profile is also good to my eye, with multi-stage charging and available (if you buy the external interface) equalization strategy.Given that the quality seems superior to most of the other offerings in this category, I've gone with this unit and will likely do so again should another need for a static install that "just needs to work." Otoh, if I end up with the shed in the back yard with a small panel to keep the riding mower battery topped up over during the winter, i'd likely go with one of the many cheaper pwm units.