In-depth guides, comparisons and how-tos for power stations, solar and backup power.
This Victron SmartShunt review looks at the battery monitor that shows up in nearly every Victron van and RV build. The SmartShunt measures every amp flowing in and out of your battery and turns it into an accurate state-of-charge reading in the VictronConnect app. It’s the BMV-712 without the display, available in 300A, 500A, 1000A […]
Victron vs EG4 is the big debate in off-grid home and cabin solar. EG4’s 6000XP is an all-in-one 48V inverter with two built-in MPPTs: Victron builds the same capability from separate parts, like a MultiPlus-II 48/3000 inverter-charger plus SmartSolar MPPTs. One box versus a modular system. Here’s how they compare on the published specs. Victron […]
Victron Orion XS vs Orion-Tr Smart is the main choice for charging a house battery from a vehicle alternator in a Victron build. The Orion XS 12/12-50A is the newer, more powerful option: 700W, up to 50A, 98.5% efficiency and an IP65 enclosure. The Orion-Tr Smart is galvanically isolated, comes in models up to 400W […]
Victron vs EcoFlow isn’t a like-for-like fight. Victron makes components (inverter-chargers, MPPTs, shunts and DC-DC chargers) that you wire into a custom system. EcoFlow sells all-in-one power stations like the Delta 3 Max: battery, inverter, charger and solar controller in one box you plug in. Which is better depends on whether you want to build […]
The cleanest way to power Starlink Mini with Victron gear is straight from your DC system, without an inverter. Starlink’s spec sheet lists the Mini’s input as 12–48V DC, 60W max, with 25–40W average consumption. That means it can run from a 12V house battery directly, or from a Victron Orion converter that supplies a […]
This Victron Phoenix Inverter Smart review looks at Victron’s larger standalone inverters with built-in Bluetooth, from 1600VA to 5000VA. They add app monitoring and an ECO mode to Victron’s proven inverter design. One big caveat before anything else: the Inverter Smart range in Victron’s datasheet has a 230VAC output, so it’s built for markets outside […]
This Victron Phoenix inverter review covers Victron’s standalone pure sine wave inverters: the low-frequency Phoenix 1200VA–5kVA line and, for US buyers, the 120V Phoenix VE.Direct 12/1200 and Phoenix 3000VA 120V. They’re inverters only. They don’t charge your battery from shore power the way a MultiPlus does. In exchange, they’re simpler, and the small models have […]
Victron Cerbo GX vs Ekrano GX comes down to where you want the brains of your system. Both are Victron GX devices: they connect your MultiPlus, MPPTs and shunt, show everything on one dashboard and link to VRM for remote monitoring. The Cerbo GX is a box you mount out of sight, with an optional […]
Victron SmartShunt vs BMV-712 is really a question about one thing: do you want a screen on the wall? Both are Bluetooth battery monitors that measure every amp in and out of your battery and show state of charge in the VictronConnect app. The BMV-712 Smart adds a round display, a programmable relay and an […]
SmartSolar vs BlueSolar MPPT is one of the easiest Victron decisions once you know the difference. Both are Victron MPPT solar charge controllers in the same voltage and current sizes, so a BlueSolar 100/30 and a SmartSolar 100/30 handle the same panels. The difference is connectivity: SmartSolar models have Bluetooth built in; BlueSolar models don’t. […]
