Victron's 150V MPPT range spans four amperage options — 35A, 45A, 60A, and 70A — all sharing the same 150V maximum PV voltage. These are the go-to controllers for medium to large solar systems on campervans, motorhomes, boats, and off-grid cabins. This guide helps you choose between them.
Specifications Compared
| Specification | 150/35 | 150/45 | 150/60 | 150/70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max PV voltage (Voc) | 150V | 150V | 150V | 150V |
| Max charge current | 35A | 45A | 60A | 70A |
| Max solar at 12V | 500W | 650W | 860W | 1000W |
| Max solar at 24V | 1000W | 1300W | 1720W | 2000W |
| Max solar at 48V | 2000W | 2600W | 3440W | 4000W |
| VE.Direct port | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Load output | No | No | No | No |
| Peak efficiency | 98% | 98% | 98% | 98% |
| Weight | 1.3 kg | 1.3 kg | 3.0 kg | 3.0 kg |
| Dimensions (H×W×D mm) | 130×186×52 | 130×186×52 | 185×250×70 | 185×250×70 |
Two Size Categories
The 150V range splits into two physical sizes:
- Compact (35A & 45A): Same physical housing at 130 × 186 × 52mm, weighing 1.3 kg. These fit in tight spaces and suit installations where physical size matters.
- Full-size (60A & 70A): Larger housing at 185 × 250 × 70mm, weighing 3.0 kg. These need more mounting space but handle significantly more solar capacity.
Which One Do You Need?
150/35 — The Entry Point (500W at 12V)
The 150/35 handles up to 500W on a 12V system. This is enough for:
- 2 × 200W panels (400W total) with room for expansion to 500W
- A comfortable 3-panel campervan setup on 24V (up to 1000W)
Best for: Campervans with 2–3 panels where you need the 150V voltage headroom (e.g., panels with Voc above 33V that would exceed a 100V controller in series).
150/45 — The Sweet Spot (650W at 12V)
The 150/45 is the popular middle ground. At 12V it handles 650W — enough for three 200W panels with headroom. On a 24V system, it manages a substantial 1300W.
Best for: Larger campervans, motorhomes, and boats running 3 × 200W panels on 12V. Also excellent for smaller 24V systems.
150/60 — The Workhorse (860W at 12V)
Stepping up to the full-size housing, the 150/60 handles 860W at 12V. This covers four 200W panels with room to spare, or two 400W panels.
Best for: Large motorhomes, narrowboats, and off-grid cabins with significant solar arrays. The most popular choice for 4-panel 12V systems.
150/70 — Maximum Capacity (1000W at 12V)
The 150/70 maxes out the 150V range at 1000W on 12V (2000W on 24V). If you need more than this, you're looking at the 250V models or the MPPT RS range.
Best for: Large off-grid systems pushing the limits of 12V (5 × 200W panels) or substantial 24V installations.
Price vs Capacity
The price difference between adjacent models is typically £30–60. Consider this against the cost of solar panels — if an extra £50 on the controller lets you add another £150 panel in the future, the controller upgrade is trivially cheap.
Our advice: buy one size up from your current needs. If you're installing 3 × 200W panels (600W), the 150/45 technically handles it at 650W. But the 150/60 at 860W gives you comfortable expansion room for a fourth panel, and the price difference is modest.
Why Choose 150V Over 100V?
The 100V range (100/30, 100/50) handles good solar capacity, so why step up to 150V? Two reasons:
- Higher Voc panels: Modern 300W+ residential panels often have Voc around 40V. Two in series = 80V. With cold correction, that's close to 90V — too risky for a 100V controller. A 150V controller handles this comfortably.
- Longer series strings: More panels in series means higher voltage and better MPPT efficiency, especially in low-light conditions. The 150V headroom lets you wire 3–4 standard panels in series.
Quick Selection Guide
| Your Solar Array (12V System) | Recommended Model |
|---|---|
| 2 × 200W (400W) | 150/35 (or 100/30 if panel Voc allows) |
| 3 × 175W (525W) | 150/35 or 150/45 |
| 3 × 200W (600W) | 150/45 |
| 4 × 175W (700W) | 150/60 |
| 4 × 200W (800W) | 150/60 |
| 2 × 400W (800W) | 150/60 |
| 5 × 200W (1000W) | 150/70 |
Summary
The Victron 150V MPPT range covers mid-size solar systems from 500W to 1000W at 12V. The 150/35 and 150/45 share a compact housing suited to campervans and boats, while the 150/60 and 150/70 step up to a larger enclosure for bigger installations. For most medium-sized builds, the 150/45 or 150/60 hits the sweet spot of capacity, size, and value. Buy one size above your current needs to leave room for expansion.
