Compatibilité panneauxPV 48v - Régulateurs MPPT

Been thinking about this a lot lately after chatting with someone running a split-array setup — got me wondering about my own plans for the boat upgrade.

So I'm looking at eventually running two separate PV arrays feeding into a 48v LiFePO4 bank. Thinking maybe an east-facing array and a west-facing one to spread out the harvest through the day. Makes sense in theory right?

My question is around MPPT controller compatibility when the arrays have quite different characteristics. Like if one array is 3kWp and the other closer to 6kWp — can you just chuck two separate Victron SmartSolars on them feeding the same battery bank, or does it get complicated?

I think the answer is yes, totally fine, because each MPPT regulates independently... but I've seen people mention issues with voltage thresholds and absorption cycles conflicting when controllers aren't synced properly. Victron's VE.Smart networking is supposed to sort that out but only if both units support it.

Anyone actually running a dual-array setup on a 48v system here? Curious whether you're:

• Using matched controllers or mixing brands
• Running them networked or just letting them do their own thing
• Had any weird charging behaviour to watch out for

Also wondering if Fogstar or other UK LiFePO4 suppliers specify anything particular about how many charge sources you can throw at their batteries simultaneously — haven't seen much on that in their docs.

Probably overthinking it but I'd rather ask now than fry something expensive later 😅

@BoatLouise the thread title's in French but I'll jump in anyway — ran into exactly this rabbit hole when speccing out my shepherd's hut build.

The key thing nobody mentions upfront: Victron SmartSolar controllers are brilliant for split arrays because you can network them via VE.Direct or VE.Can and they'll coordinate charging without fighting each other. Running two separate MPPTs rather than one big unit also means redundancy — one controller goes down, you're not entirely dark.

Worth noting that string voltage matters more than panel wattage when mixing arrays. Keep each string within the controller's input range and you're largely fine.

For a boat setup specifically, the SmartSolar 100/30 paired with Fogstar cells worked an absolute treat for someone I know on a narrowboat — salt air resistant enclosures being the other consideration you'll want sorted before anything else.