Solar charge controller Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250|70-Tr

What is an MPPT Solar Charge Controller?

A solar charge controller, also known as a solar regulator, is a battery charge regulator connected between the solar array and the battery. By continuously tracking the Maximum Power Point, it can extract the most power possible from the solar panels and use it to charge the battery. The solar output has to be regulated so the battery is charged correctly and does not get overcharged.

At a glance

The Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250|70-Tr is a compact, lightweight, efficient, and completely silent solar charge controller. It is easy-to-use, with an advanced design and rich feature set.

The device features an adaptive, multi-stage battery charging algorithm with eight presets optimised for different battery types.

The VE.Direct port can be connected to a GX device such as the Cerbo GX, enabling local and remote monitoring and management.

Connecting a BMV-712 Smart Battery Monitor or SmartShunt allows the device to monitor battery voltage, temperature and current and relay that data to other SmartSolar charge controllers.

The optional SmartSolar pluggable display can be added to the device, to provide information at a glance.

What is the use case?

The SmartSolar MPPT 250|70-Tr solar charge controller is designed for use with small off-grid and grid-connected systems, charging 12,24,36 or 48 V DC battery banks.

Thanks to its compact size and compatibility with a wide range of batteries, it is ideal for portable systems for vehicles and small off-grid applications such as bungalows, remote weather stations and more.

At the same time, the MPPT 250|70-Tr is powerful enough to use in residential/small business PV/ESS systems, further aided by its scalability (up to 10 units).

Efficient and performant

The SmartSolar MPPT 250|70-Tr charge controller is designed from the ground up with efficiency in mind, reaching a conversion efficiency of over 99%!

As a result, the device can be passively cooled with only a radiator and does not require an active cooling fan.

The SmartSolar MPPT 250|70-Tr also features Victron’s advanced Maximum Power Point detection algorithm that optimises performance in partial shading conditions and cloudy weather.

Together these features enable the device to extract the maximum power from the photovoltaic panels, with as little waste as possible.

Design and installation considerations

The Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250|70-Tr features a tough plastic enclosure that guarantees safe operation and protects it from damage. The ingress protection rating for the electronic components is IP43, and the rating for the connection terminals is IP22.

When mounting the solar charge controller, please make sure to wall mount it vertically and leave space for airflow through the radiator on the back of the device.

The three LEDs on the front indicate the current charging mode, or issues with the operation of the device, users can also add the optional SmartSolar Pluggable Display (SCC900650010).

Built-in protections

The charge controller has multiple integrated safety features, including PV reverse polarity, output short circuit and over-temperature protection. In addition to the operating temperature, the device monitors the battery voltage and will shut down if the voltage is excessive.

For more information, please refer to the technical documentation and manuals provided by the manufacturer, which can be found on this webpage.