Right Victron Controller for Renogy "Suitcase" solar panels?

johnVT

Hi Folk,
I've got a Renology Suitcase solar panel array that I'd like to use a Victron controller on. I currently have it paired with the Renology Wanderer controller that came with it, but I'd like to be able to do all my solar stuff in the Victron Connect app. 

Could someone kindly educate me on what would be the smallest controller in the Victron line that I could use? It's to feed a Battleborn lithium upgrade system on my Cirrus 620. 

Here's a spec sheet for the Renology array:


I've been looking at these 2 controllers: 

https://www.amazon.com/Victron-SmartSolar-MPPT-Controller-Bluetooth/dp/B075NPQHQK/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_1/138-8799905-1283925?pd_rd_w=qR3Tj&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=SVY2SB2GZ35D83FEP3YC&pd_rd_wg=SrGYV&pd_rd_r=60f09c70-29aa-47ae-892c-380758864511&pd_rd_i=B075NPQHQK&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Victron-SmartSolar-Charge-Controller-Bluetooth/dp/B075NQQRPD/ref=asc_df_B075NQQRPD?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80882875798443&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=108174&hvtargid=pla-4584482455196332&th=1

Thanks in advance! 
John

johnVT

I've been looking at this controller: 
https://www.amazon.com/Victron-SmartSolar-MPPT-Controller-Bluetooth/dp/B075NPQHQK/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_1/138-8799905-1283925?pd_rd_w=qR3Tj&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=SVY2SB2GZ35D83FEP3YC&pd_rd_wg=SrGYV&pd_rd_r=60f09c70-29aa-47ae-892c-380758864511&pd_rd_i=B075NPQHQK&psc=1

RTWCTS

@johnVT The 15A controller would do the job and is the smallest (as per your request). It is the standard controller that has gone into basic T@Bs for years. That is what came with my T@B 400, which has similar specs to your suitcase. I did this mod with Renogy suitcases when I had my T@B 320.
Hope this helps...

johnVT

That’s perfect! Thanks so much for your input! Much appreciated!

johnVT

@RTWCTS And just to clarify, you’re talking about the MPTT 75 | 15 right? 

Sharon_is_SAM

RENOGY.

RTWCTS

johnVT said:

@RTWCTS And just to clarify, you’re talking about the MPTT 75 | 15 right? 

Yes, the Victron MPPT 75/15 will properly control the Renogy suitcase you listed in your first post. It was what I installed in my 320 when I had two 100W Renogy suitcases that I ran in parallel (200W, about 10A of power and similar voltage).
My 400 came with the same Victron controller to work with the approx. 180W panel that is on the roof. I added a second Victron MPPT 100/30 to the 400 though. It works with my current 'ground array' of 400W worth of Renogy suitcases. Since my rooftop and ground array panels have different specs, I run them through different controllers.
Let me know if you have any other questions about this topic...

donmontalvo

FWIW, when I added a 100W solar panel to my 320S, I bought a Victron MPPT 100|30, to match the one used on the stock 2x180W panels. This way it can manage up to 440W of solar panels. Just a thought.

Ikanizer

RTWCTS said:

johnVT said:

@RTWCTS And just to clarify, you’re talking about the MPTT 75 | 15 right? 

Yes, the Victron MPPT 75/15 will properly control the Renogy suitcase you listed in your first post. It was what I installed in my 320 when I had two 100W Renogy suitcases that I ran in parallel (200W, about 10A of power and similar voltage).
My 400 came with the same Victron controller to work with the approx. 180W panel that is on the roof. I added a second Victron MPPT 100/30 to the 400 though. It works with my current 'ground array' of 400W worth of Renogy suitcases. Since my rooftop and ground array panels have different specs, I run them through different controllers.
Let me know if you have any other questions about this topic...

Can you describe how you have your ground array connected to your system in terms of distance and wire gauge? I have a ‘23 400 upgraded to 3 x 100 ah batteries and need more solar. 

elbolillo

@johnVT I installed a second 100/30 MPPT like @donmontalvo I currently have a 220w bifacial panel but wanted a bit more headroom on the controller to allow for even more wattage if needed. I have both a 30' and 60' cables. The 30' is 10awg and the 60' is 8awg. The 60' cable has come in quite handy when camping in national forests where direct sunlight can be at a premium.

RTWCTS

Ikanizer said:

Can you describe how you have your ground array connected to your system in terms of distance and wire gauge? I have a ‘23 400 upgraded to 3 x 100 ah batteries and need more solar. 

I installed a Victron MPPT 100/30 solar controller near the cutoff switch under the bed. Here I can access the controller through the door on the passenger side, mainly because I was reticent about drilling through the sidewall (although I am reconsidering upgrading to a through hull type of connection). I chose this location because there always seems to be more open area on that side of the camper when parked. I have seen on the forum where others installed the port in the Nautilus area.

When connected in parallel, my four Renogy 100W briefcase panels can provide up to about 20A of current. Based on the chart below (from the Renogy web site) I use 10 Gauge copper solar cable to connect the panels to the Victron and carry a total of 50 feet of cables. I like to use the shortest length combination of cables for any campsite. 


When the T@B is in full sun and we have the rooftop and ground array working at capacity, I've seen a reading of 30A of charge on our SmartShunt. It doesn't take long to recharge the 300AH of battery capacity in our T@B.
As part of making our life more natural disaster resilient, I can use my four briefcase panels in different combinations to recharge our two portable power supplies, 500WH and 1500WH. I really like the adaptability in my system.

Hope this answers the question you had....

elbolillo

I installed my controllers under the bed area near the nautilus cubby with the MC4 connector gland inside the cubby. Works great to have the cables come up the drain area of the cubby.