Anyone else had issues with a Victron SmartSolar 100/30 dropping connection to the VictronConnect app mid-session?

Picked up a SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 about three months ago and installed it in my Transit camper alongside a 200Ah lithium (a Fogstar Drift 12V). Generally really happy with the setup — the charge profiles are solid and it's been keeping the battery topped up nicely through a 175W roof panel. No complaints on the actual charging side of things.

The issue is with the Bluetooth connection to VictronConnect on my Android phone (Samsung S23, latest software). Probably three or four times a week it'll just drop mid-session — I'll be watching the live data and it cuts out, then it either won't reconnect at all for a few minutes or it reconnects but shows stale readings for a while. Distance isn't the issue, I'm literally sat two feet from the unit when it happens.

I've tried forgetting the device and re-pairing, clearing the app cache, and even borrowed a mate's iPhone to test — same behaviour, so I don't think it's purely a phone issue. The firmware on the controller is up to date (v3.14). Wondering if it could be interference from the 12V compressor fridge I've got running nearby (a Brass Monkey 45L), or whether others have seen this with the 100/30 specifically.

Has anyone cracked this one, or is it just a known quirk of the Bluetooth dongle on these units?

Hey @EdKelly, yeah I've had this exact thing on my boat setup with a 100/20. Seems to be a known Bluetooth quirk with the SmartSolars — a few things worth trying:

First, make sure your VictronConnect app is fully up to date, as there have been several firmware patches addressing BT stability. Also check the MPPT itself is on the latest firmware (you can push updates through the app when it does connect).

The other thing that helped me was simply keeping my phone screen on during the session — sounds daft but the app drops connection when your phone goes to sleep on some Android versions.

Also worth checking you're not too far away — Victron's Bluetooth range is pretty modest in real-world conditions, especially through a van body. How far away are you typically when it drops?

KentOffGrid | 847 posts | ⭐ Trusted Member

@EdKelly I had exactly this with my 75/15 a while back. Nine times out of ten it's Bluetooth going into a low-power sleep state, particularly when the battery's near full and the charger's doing very little work. Try going into the VictronConnect settings and disabling the "sleep when not connected" option if you haven't already.

Also worth checking you've got the latest firmware — Victron push updates fairly regularly and some earlier versions had known BT stability issues. The app will prompt you to update when you connect, but only if it manages to hold the connection long enough!

One other thing — phone Bluetooth can be the culprit too. Android in particular can be temperamental. Try forgetting the device and re-pairing fresh. Sorted mine completely.

Worth adding something nobody's mentioned yet — phone interference matters more than you'd think.

I was pulling my hair out with dropouts on my cabin's 100/30 until I realised my old Android was the culprit. Certain budget phones handle BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) poorly, especially when the battery saver kicks in and throttles background connections.

Two things sorted it for me:

• Disabled battery optimisation specifically for VictronConnect
• Kept the phone screen on during the session rather than letting it sleep

Also worth checking your Victron firmware is current — there was a point where mine was a version behind and the stability was noticeably worse. Connect to VE.Direct via USB if BT keeps dropping; at least you won't lose your session data mid-charge while you're troubleshooting.

@BoatOllie and @KentOffGrid both have solid points though — worth eliminating those first.

Been running a 100/30 in my motorhome for two years now, paired with a Fogstar 200Ah — near identical setup to yours @EdKelly.

One thing nobody's touched on: the MPPT's internal temperature affects Bluetooth stability more than people realise. Mine would drop connection almost every time it was working hard on a sunny afternoon. Mounted mine away from direct heat sources after that, made a noticeable difference.

Also worth checking your firmware version in VictronConnect before chasing ghosts elsewhere. Victron quietly pushed an update that fixed several BT stability bugs — easy to miss if you're not in the habit of checking.

Not glamorous advice, but it sorted mine without any faff.