In-depth guides, comparisons and how-tos for power stations, solar and backup power.
What size Victron DC-DC charger you need depends on your alternator, your house battery and how much driving you do. A DC-DC charger sits between the starter battery and the house battery and charges the house bank while the engine runs. Victron’s two main lines are the isolated Orion-Tr Smart (models up to 400W, such […]
Victron MultiPlus-II vs Quattro is the first big decision in most Victron RV, boat and cabin builds. Both are inverter-chargers: they turn battery power into 120V AC, charge from shore power or a generator, and switch over automatically. The key difference is simple. The Quattro has two AC inputs with an integrated transfer switch, so […]
If you want to set up a Victron Cerbo GX, the job breaks into four parts: power it, connect your Victron devices, get it online, and register it on VRM, Victron’s free remote monitoring portal. The Cerbo GX is the “brain” of a Victron system. It shows everything from solar harvest to tank levels on […]
This Victron MultiPlus-II 2×120 wiring diagram guide explains how Victron’s split-phase inverter-charger fits into a 50A RV. The 2×120 accepts a split-phase 120/240V source (50A shore power) or a single 120V source, with up to 50A per leg. It’s one of the most popular upgrades in big-RV builds, and also one of the most misunderstood, […]
To connect a Victron MPPT to solar panels safely, you need to get two things right: the wiring order and the string voltage. Wire the battery first, then the panels, and make sure your array’s open-circuit voltage never exceeds the controller’s limit: 100V on a 100/30 or 100/50, and 150V on the 150-series (145V operating […]
What size Victron MultiPlus you need depends on two jobs it does at once: inverting battery power to 120V AC, and charging the battery from shore power or a generator. A MultiPlus that’s too small trips under heavy loads; one that’s too big wastes money and idle power. Here’s how to choose using Victron’s own […]
What size Victron shunt you need depends on the highest current that will flow in or out of your battery. Victron sells the SmartShunt in IP21 and IP65 versions in 300A, 500A, 1000A and 2000A. Pick a shunt rated above your biggest continuous current, usually set by your inverter, and you’re done. What Size Victron […]
What size Victron battery charger you need comes down to your battery’s amp-hour capacity, its chemistry and how fast you want it full. Victron’s Blue Smart chargers cover almost everything: the IP65 in 12V 4, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 25A (24V 5, 8 and 13A) and the IP22 in 12V 15, 20 and 30A […]
What size Victron MPPT do you need? Victron names every controller with two numbers, and once you know what they mean, sizing takes five minutes. A 100/30 accepts up to 100V of panel open-circuit voltage and delivers up to 30A of charge current. You need both numbers to fit your array: the voltage rating protects […]
What size Victron inverter you need comes down to three numbers on Victron’s datasheets: continuous watts, peak watts and the temperature the rating applies to. Victron’s names use VA, which confuses a lot of buyers. A “1200VA” or “3000VA” model does not deliver 1,200 or 3,000 watts continuously. This guide shows how to read the […]
