Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 150/100-MC4 VE.Can Solar Charge Controller, 12/24/36/48V, 100A, Bluetooth

Overview

The Victron Energy SCC115110511 is a SmartSolar MPPT 150/100-MC4 VE.Can solar charge controller for larger onboard solar arrays feeding 12, 24, 36, or 48 V battery banks. It supports up to 100 A of charge current and accepts PV input up to 150 V open circuit, giving boat owners room to build a serious solar system for cruising, fishing, or long periods away from shore power.

This controller uses MPPT charging to track changing solar conditions, which matters on a boat where sails, antennas, hardtops, rails, and passing cloud can shade panels during the day. The MC4 version uses PV plug connectors for the solar side, while VE.Can lets multiple controllers work together in larger Victron systems.

Built-in Bluetooth allows setup and monitoring through VictronConnect, and the unit also includes VE.Direct, remote on-off, and a programmable relay for more advanced system integration. It can also recover a deeply discharged battery when the cells are still serviceable.

Key features

• 100 A maximum charge current for high-output solar charging on larger house battery banks.
• 150 V PV input rating, with a 145 V start-up and operating maximum for array planning.
• Works with 12, 24, 36, and 48 V battery systems, with 36 V selected manually.
• Nominal PV capacity reaches 1450 W at 12 V, 2900 W at 24 V, 4350 W at 36 V, and 5800 W at 48 V.
• Three pairs of MC4 PV connectors help simplify solar panel string connections at the controller.
• VE.Can communication supports synchronized operation with up to 25 controllers in larger systems.
• Bluetooth and VictronConnect support local setup, monitoring, charging profile changes, and firmware updates.
• Protection covers PV reverse polarity, output short circuit, and over-temperature conditions.
• IP43 protection for electronic components and IP22 protection at the connection area.
• Multi-stage adaptive charging with eight pre-programmed algorithms or a user-defined charge profile.

Installation and setup

This SmartSolar controller belongs in a dry, ventilated electrical space such as a nav station locker, technical compartment, lazarette electrical panel, or protected equipment area. It should not be treated as a deck-mounted or washdown-facing component, because the connection area is rated IP22 and needs protection from spray, bilge water, and direct weather.

The MC4 solar inputs are useful when the array wiring already terminates in MC4 connectors, but the installation still needs correctly sized DC cabling, fusing, and isolation on both the PV and battery sides. The battery terminals accept heavy conductors up to 35 mm² or AWG 2, which is important for managing voltage drop at 100 A charge levels.

Electrical and system integration

The controller can operate as a single charger or as part of a larger Victron energy system. VE.Can is the better fit when several MPPT controllers need to report through one communication path or charge in sync, while VE.Direct gives another option for local device communication.

For battery charging, the adaptive algorithm moves through bulk, absorption, and float stages, with settings that can be matched to common lead-acid and lithium battery setups. Optional external voltage and temperature sensing can improve charging accuracy when the batteries are located away from the controller or when cable runs create measurable voltage drop.

Use cases on board

This model fits boats with a meaningful solar array, such as cruising sailboats, trawlers, expedition-style fishing boats, and liveaboard systems where solar charging supports refrigeration, electronics, lighting, pumps, and inverter loads. It is also a strong match for vessels already built around Victron monitoring, GX devices, or multiple charge sources.

On boats with split panel locations, changing shade, or plans to expand the solar system later, the VE.Can and synchronized charging capability help keep the electrical system organized without turning the solar setup into a collection of isolated chargers.

Maintenance and care

Keep the controller and its terminals dry, clean, and accessible for inspection. During routine electrical checks, confirm that PV connectors are fully seated, battery cables remain tight, ventilation is not blocked, and no corrosion or heat discoloration is visible around the connection area.

After installation, periodic checks through VictronConnect are useful for reviewing daily yield, charge stage behavior, battery voltage, and any logged errors before they become problems during a passage or time away from the dock.