Overview

The Victron Energy SCC115070211 is a SmartSolar MPPT 150/70-Tr solar charge controller for charging 12V, 24V, 36V, or 48V battery banks from a boat’s solar array. It is rated for 70A maximum battery current, accepts up to 150V PV open-circuit voltage, and supports nominal PV power up to 1000W at 12V, 2000W at 24V, 3000W at 36V, and 4000W at 48V.

This controller is a practical match for cruising boats, fishing boats, and larger off-grid DC systems where solar charging needs to keep up with house loads, refrigeration, electronics, lighting, and battery recovery between engine or shore power cycles. Built-in Bluetooth lets the installer configure and monitor the charger through VictronConnect, while the VE.Direct port supports wired integration with compatible Victron monitoring hardware.

The Tr version uses screw terminals rather than MC4 solar connectors, which suits installations where custom cable runs are brought into a protected electrical locker or equipment space. With IP43 protection for the electronics and IP22 at the connection area, it should be mounted away from direct spray, washdowns, and standing moisture.

Key features

• 70A MPPT solar charge controller for 12V, 24V, and 48V systems with automatic voltage selection, plus 36V selection by manual configuration.
• 150V maximum PV open-circuit voltage for solar arrays that need higher string voltage than smaller deck-mounted panel setups.
• Supports up to 4000W nominal PV power on a 48V battery bank, 3000W on 36V, 2000W on 24V, and 1000W on 12V.
• Bluetooth built in for setup, firmware updates, charge history, and live monitoring through VictronConnect.
• VE.Direct port for wired monitoring with compatible Victron GX and display options.
• Multi-stage adaptive charging with eight pre-programmed charge algorithms or a user-defined charge profile.
• Works with common marine battery types when configured correctly, including lead-acid, AGM, gel, and lithium systems.
• Remote on/off terminal and programmable relay add useful control options for more involved onboard power systems.
• Protection against PV reverse polarity, output short circuit, and over-temperature conditions.
• Tr screw-terminal layout accepts up to 35 mm² or AWG2 cable at the PV and battery terminals.

Installation and setup

Mount the charger vertically on a non-flammable surface with the terminals facing downward, leaving at least 10cm of clearance above and below the unit for cooling. The Tr model measures 185 x 250 x 95mm and weighs about 3kg, so the mounting surface should be solid and accessible for service.

For battery wiring, this 150/70 model uses an 80A minimum and 100A maximum battery fuse rating. The battery should be connected before the solar array so the charger can detect the system voltage correctly, unless the system voltage has already been set manually during configuration.

Electrical and system integration

The charger reaches up to 98% peak efficiency and uses a multi-stage charge algorithm with absorption, float, and equalization settings that can be adjusted to match the battery bank. Built-in temperature compensation helps charging stay aligned with changing conditions in an equipment space, and optional external sensing through compatible Victron devices can improve voltage and temperature feedback at the battery.

For boats already using Victron monitoring, the VE.Direct port is useful for bringing solar charging data into a broader DC power picture. Bluetooth remains convenient for local setup at the dock, during commissioning, or when checking charge performance after changing panels or battery settings.

Use cases on board

This controller fits boats with a meaningful solar array rather than a small maintenance panel. It makes sense for cruising house banks, lithium upgrades, larger AGM or gel banks, and installations where solar needs to contribute real daily charging instead of only offsetting standby loads.

Because the connection area is not meant for exposed wet locations, it belongs in a dry locker, electrical compartment, or enclosed power bay with ventilation and cable protection. That placement also keeps battery and PV terminals away from accidental contact while leaving room for inspection and future service.