Opinions on the Victron 150/70?

PNW_Steve
PNW_Steve Registered Users Posts: 79 ✭✭
Hey Everyone,

I am about pull the trigger on my new charge controller. The Victron 150/70 looks like it will fit my needs.

I talked to one gent who spoke very highly of Victron charge controllers and their support. I was ready to go and then I saw a couple of online reviews that complained about Victron's support.

What has your experience been with Victron's products and support?

Also, I saw mentioned that the communication protocol is open source and some folks are writing their own apps for logging etc. Anyone here gone down that road? I am afraid that my, very Rusty, Fortran skills are not suitable for the task :)

Comments

  • PNW_Steve
    PNW_Steve Registered Users Posts: 79 ✭✭
    Maybe I should reconsider? 
    It appears that the Victron may not be a popular choice.
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Victron, from what I know, makes very good equipment. But being an European mfg., they tend to be expensive here in North America.

    You might try some other forums (just some links to follow--I do not know much about them :

    www.greenpowertalk.org
    http://solarpaneltalk.com/

    Some reviews:

    https://www.cleanenergyreviews.info/blog/victron-energy-battery-inverter-solar-charge-controller-review
    https://www.amazon.com/Victron-BlueSolar-MPPT-Charge-Controller/product-reviews/B00U3MK0CI

    We do have non-US posters here--Give them a few days and see if any of them have information.

    Here are some links to various past comments about Victron on our forum. You can:

    Search Google using "site" tag on just our forum: site:solar-electric.com +victron

    Or just hit this link:

    https://www.google.com/search?q=site:solar-electric.com++victron

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • PNW_Steve
    PNW_Steve Registered Users Posts: 79 ✭✭
    Thank you BB.

    I will take a look at the other forums.

    Regarding price, I am looking at the 150/70 for $539 plus $45 for the Bluetooth adapter. That doesn't strike me as any more expensive than the popular US manufacturers. Am I overlooking something?

    Thanks again.
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Price-wise it's in the same ballpark as (eg) a midnite classic 150. The classic will handle a bit more current, can withstand an overvoltage of nominal battery (eg 48v), and can end absorb based on real end-amps into the bank, features which may or may not be important in your application.

    I did notice the Victron "speaks" MNEA2000, which is a major protocol used in marine applications to connect chartplotters, instruments etc. If this is a marine application, that could be important.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Lack of remote temperature sensor is a negative on an otherwise positively rated unit, there are others which have this, amongst other features not available with the Victron, not trying do discredit them as I'm sure they are quality controllers,  from what I've read.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.