In-depth guides, comparisons and how-tos for power stations, solar and backup power.
This Victron Quattro review covers the 120V Quattro inverter-charger, the bigger sibling of the MultiPlus. Its main difference is two AC inputs with an integrated transfer switch. Connect shore power and a generator, or grid and a generator, and the Quattro switches to whichever source is live. It also inverts, charges and supports parallel, split-phase […]
This Victron Multi RS Solar review covers the 48/6000/100, Victron’s hybrid inverter that combines an inverter-charger with two high-voltage solar trackers. It takes up to 450V of panel voltage on each of two MPPT inputs (6kW of PV in total) and runs from a 48V battery. US buyers should note one thing first: it is […]
This Victron Orion-Tr Smart isolated review covers the DC-DC chargers Victron makes for systems where the input and output must stay electrically separate. They give a 3-stage charge (bulk, absorption, float) from a starter battery to a service battery. Models come in 12V, 24V and 48V input and output versions, from 220W to 400W. Each […]
This Victron Ekrano GX review covers Victron’s all-in-one system monitor. It combines a GX communication centre with a built-in 7-inch touchscreen. It connects your inverter-charger, solar chargers, battery monitor, DC-DC chargers and supported lithium batteries in one place. You can view the system on its screen, through the free VRM portal, on a marine display […]
This Victron Orion XS 12/12-50A review covers Victron’s compact DC-DC charger for charging a house battery from a vehicle alternator. It delivers up to 50A, about 700W at 14V, from a box that weighs 330g. That’s more than double the 18A to 30A of the older Orion-Tr Smart 12/12 models. It’s also IP65 rated and […]
This Victron Lithium Battery 12.8V Smart review covers Victron’s own LiFePO4 batteries, sold in sizes from 50Ah to 330Ah. They differ from most drop-in lithium batteries in one big way. The battery monitors and balances its cells, but it has no internal disconnect. It must be wired to an external Victron BMS, which switches off […]
This guide shows how to install a Victron Orion XS 12/12-50A DC-DC charger, so your alternator charges your house battery while you drive. The Orion XS sits between the starter battery and the house battery. It gives the house battery a proper charge, even from a smart alternator, without draining the starter battery. Electrical work […]
This Victron Lynx Distributor review explains the modular busbar that tidies up the heavy DC side of a Victron system. One Lynx Distributor holds a positive and a negative busbar. The positive side has four fused outputs that take MEGA fuses. The negative side has four connections plus a ground. Bolt several Lynx modules side […]
This Victron MultiPlus-II 2x120V review covers the inverter-charger version built for North American 50A RVs and homes with split-phase 120/240V service. It passes up to 50A per leg through from shore or a generator, charges the battery, and inverts 120V when the input drops. The catch: in inverter mode it only makes 120V, so 240V […]
This Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 review looks at the controller many builders move to when a 100V model is no longer enough. It accepts up to 150V of panel open-circuit voltage and delivers 35A of charge current. That means you can wire more panels in series, use thinner PV cable and harvest more in low […]
