Table of Contents
What is a Solar Charge Controller?
The Charge Controller takes the power made by the solar panels and
Also, we have interactive solar wiring diagrams that are
Finally, for this blog post you’re reading right now, we have a calculator that will help you choose a charge controller. I HIGHLY recommend reading this post to truly learn how a charge controller works, but if all you need is the calculator, here that is:
How does the Charge Controller Work?
Solar panels typically put out a voltage that is too high for batteries to use. If you have your solar panels wired in series

MPPT vs PWM CHARGE CONTROLLERS
There are two main types of charge controllers. They are MPPT and PWM. This blog post is a crash course in solar design and getting into the specifics of the differences is out of the scope of this blog post. Here’s what you need to know regarding MPPT vs PWM charge controllers MPPT is the newer, more efficient technology. From here on out, any time I talk about charge controllers, I will only be talking about MPPT charge controllers as I want to guide you to build a high-end, expandable solar setup.
HOW TO MATCH SOLAR PANELS TO A CHARGE CONTROLLER
One of my favorite series of charge controllers is the Victron BlueSolar MPPT Charge Controller. If you’ll notice, there are MANY different sizes of charge controllers:
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75 | 10
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75 | 15
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100 | 15
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100 | 20
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100 | 30
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100 | 50
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150 | 35
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150 | 45
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150 | 60
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150 | 70
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150 | 85
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150 | 100
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250 | 85
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250 | 100
WHAT DO THOSE NUMBERS MEAN?!?
*MATH ALERT*
Let’s say, for example, you have 4 x

EACH 100w solar panel has an Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc) of 21.6 volts. and an Optimum Operating Current of 6.72 Amps. Those are the only two numbers we are concerned about for now. I generally recommend just wiring all of your solar panels in series for simplicity and efficiency sake. Which means: Those 4 x 100 watt solar panels get wired together like this:

Since they are wired in series, the voltages get ADDED together for a total of 86.4 volts. (Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc) of 21.6 x 4 panels) The amps on the “upstream” side of the 100w solar panels
So, the 86.4 volts is under the safe threshold of the 100 max volts of the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100 | 30 solar controller.
100 is the first number. What about the 2nd number, 30?
The 30 in the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100 | 30 is the MAX resulting amps AFTER the solar controller has worked
- We have 4×100 watts of solar panels totaling 400 watts of solar.
- Assume batteries are 12.6v
- Amps = Watts / Volts
This means, that at 400 watts and 12.6v we can expect up to 31.74 amps coming out of the solar controller.

400 watts / 12.6 volts (Battery) = 31.74 amps coming out of the charge controller.
Now, we are talking about that Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100 | 30, we have to compare that 2nd number, 30.
31.74 amps is a bit over the 30 amp threshold. BUT…
Solar panels rarely put out their full wattage. AND…
In the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100 | 30 manual, they say their controller is good for solar arrays up to 440 watts:

AND… If you happen to go ‘over’ on your Amperage, it’s not that big of a deal in terms of damage. It’ll just be lost power that the controller won’t convert.
So, basically, the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100 | 30 is pretty perfect for those 4 x 100 solar panels.
But what if you like playing it safe? What if you want some wiggle room? Great! Size up to the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100 | 50. Sure, it’s a little more money, but if it’s worth your
Now, Why would you want wiggle room or safety margin? Let’s talk about temperature
Solar Controller vs Temperature
DID YOU KNOW… As temperatures drop, solar panels actually put out MORE power.
Totally honest though, the math gets messy, SO I made a calculator that you can input all of the values for your setup so YOU can see how temperature affects your solar panel setup AS WELL AS will give you a recommendation on what solar controller you need taking solar panel temperature into account.
There’s a video below the calculator you can check out if you need additional instructions on how to use it:
Now that you know what kind of charge controller is compatible with your solar panels, it’s time to learn how to choose an inverter for your DIY Camper setup. Check that out here:
https://www.explorist.life/how-to-choose-an-inverter-for-your-diy-camper/
Everything that you are learning here is put to use in our FREE Interactive Solar Wiring Diagrams. If you haven’t yet, check them out as they are a complete solution for a camper van electrical system. Check them out here: https://www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams/
Remember, this is just one part of a full camper van electrical educational series. To see all of the individual guides, click here: https://www.explorist.life/diy-campervan-solar
Finally, If you found this guide helpful, It’d truly mean the world to us if you’d share it with somebody who can use it, pin it to pinterest for later reference, or share it to a facebook group when somebody has a question about this subject. Click the bubble in the lower right corner to subscribe to be notified of future updates and as always, leave any questions you’ve got in the comments below.
Sally J
Sunday 24th of April 2022
Hi Nate,
Thanks for the great info, I am learning a lot!
We want to add 1 extra 100 watt panel to our caravan. Renogy. It currently has 5 x 100 watt solar panels. So the full array would be 600 watts in parallel.
It currently has a Victron Smartsolar 100/30 solar controller.
Would the Victron Smartsolar 100/50 be the suitable controller to upgrade to?
Thank you for your advice, Sally
Nate Yarbrough
Sunday 15th of May 2022
5 panels wired in series would push you over the max voltage rating of the 100/50. The wattage of the array is fine, but the voltage is too high. You'd want to upgrade to the 150/60: https://amzn.to/3wqPEyx
Tim G
Saturday 6th of November 2021
Hi Nate, thank you for the excellent tutorials! They are a HUGE help.
Regarding charge controllers - when wiring in multiple panels, what are the pros/cons of using one larger controller for all of the panels vs. breaking up the panels up into smaller arrays with multiple smaller chargers? Is there a cost/benefit for one setup vs the other? Other than a basic dollar or space savings?
Looking at the system I'm designing, it seems as though using two smaller controllers would be significantly cheaper than trying to wire the entire array into one large controller but I wanted to make sure there wasn't anything I'm missing.
Thanks!
Nate Yarbrough
Wednesday 8th of December 2021
There's rarely anything wrong with using mutliple charge controllers given each array is properly configured. From a cost standpoint... if it causes you to need to use a 2nd Lynx Distributor due to neededing extra spaces, that may be a deterrent. Be sure to budget wire, lugs, fuses, heat shrink, etc because all of that stuff adds up too.
Michal
Thursday 21st of October 2021
Nice and easy - just like all tutorials should be :)
glen osborne
Monday 21st of June 2021
Hi this calculator doesn't have the imp box like the calculator has from the link on the video how to chose a charge controller
Kal P
Thursday 13th of May 2021
Hi Nate, Thank you for all the information provided. It is a great source. I am considering using 3 x 400W solar panels for my build with a 600 Ah battery set. Using your calculator, I get 163V and 106 Amps for the total array. Would the Victron 150/100 VE.Can work for this? What would be your recommendation? Thank you.
Kal P
Wednesday 19th of May 2021
@Nate Yarbrough, Thank you very much. Much appreciated.
Nate Yarbrough
Sunday 16th of May 2021
163V into a 150V charge controller like the 150/100 would damage it. You'd want the next higher size, which would be the SmartSolar MPPT 250/100: https://battlebornbatteries.com/product/victron-smartsolar-mppt-250-100/?afmc=explorist_bb67