Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller 100/20 (Up to 48 Volts)

The SmartSolar MPPT 100/20 is the solar charge controller we recommend most often to DIY van builders running a single panel or a small array on a 12V or 24V system. It handles up to 290W of solar at 12V or 580W at 24V, converts that power with 98% efficiency, and does it all without a fan — just a compact, solid-state unit that works quietly in the background while you're out exploring. If you're building a Victron electrical system, this is a natural fit: it speaks the same language as your Multiplus, Cerbo GX, and battery monitor right out of the box.

Specs & Features

• Maximum PV open-circuit voltage: 100V DC
• Rated charge current: 20A
• Battery voltage: 12V / 24V / 48V (auto-select; 36V configurable manually via app)
• Peak efficiency: 98%
• Built-in Bluetooth — no dongle required
• VE.Direct port for wired connection to GX devices and VRM portal
• Load output terminals with configurable low-voltage disconnect
• Compatible with lithium (LiFePO4), AGM, gel, and flooded lead-acid batteries
• BatteryLife algorithm protects batteries from deep discharge on low-solar days
• SafetyShield+ protection: reverse polarity, PV short-circuit, reverse current, over-temperature
• Can revive a fully discharged battery (including lithium with integrated BMS disconnect)
• 5-year warranty
• Automotive ECE R10 certified — designed for mobile use

Understanding the Model Number

The "100/20" tells you the two numbers that matter most when sizing a charge controller: 100 is the maximum PV open-circuit voltage (Voc) it can accept from your panels, and 20 is the maximum charge current it can deliver to your batteries. When sizing your panel array, always design so your panels' combined Voc stays below 100V with some headroom — Victron recommends keeping your maximum design array Voc at or below 90V to account for cold-weather voltage spikes.

BatteryLife: The Feature Most Builders Don't Know About

Most charge controllers have a fixed low-voltage disconnect — when the battery drops below a set voltage, loads turn off. The SmartSolar goes a step further with BatteryLife, an adaptive algorithm that monitors how much solar your system is actually producing day to day. On consecutive low-sun days, rather than letting the battery creep toward damaging levels of discharge, it gradually raises the disconnect threshold to protect the battery — and then attempts a full 100% recharge as soon as conditions improve. For a van sitting at a cloudy campsite for several days, this can make a meaningful difference in long-term battery health.

Victron Ecosystem Integration

The SmartSolar 100/20 connects to your Victron system two ways: wirelessly via Bluetooth to the VictronConnect app for configuration and real-time monitoring, and via the VE.Direct port for integration with a Cerbo GX or other GX device. Once connected to a GX device, data flows to the VRM portal where you can monitor your solar yield, battery state, and system performance from anywhere. If you're running multiple SmartSolar controllers, they can be synchronized through a GX device to step through charge stages together — keeping your battery bank charging in unison rather than having controllers working independently. If you need more solar capacity than the 100/20 can handle, take a look at the 100/30 or 100/50.

Not sure if the 100/20 is the right size for your panel array? Our team is happy to help you size it — just reach out before you order.