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If you bought a motorhome from a German manufacturer, there's a good chance it came with Buettner (Büttner) solar and charging components. They're the OEM supplier for Dethleffs, Hymer, and others. Good brand, reliable products — but are they worth the premium over Victron or Renogy?
Buettner's 200W panel (MT series) costs €300-400 vs €130-180 for Renogy or €250-300 for Victron equivalent. The MPP 350 MPPT controller runs €250-350 vs €120-170 for a Victron SmartSolar 30A. Performance is comparable — the cells are the same mono-Si technology from the same Chinese factories.
⚡ Expert tip
If your motorhome already has a Buettner MPPT and you want to add panels, stick with Buettner panels to maintain the voltage matching. But if you're starting fresh, the Victron SmartSolar ecosystem is more flexible and better supported long-term.
Example calculation for your setup
Results based on a typical use case
| Appliance | Power | Usage/day | Wh/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression fridge | 45W | 24h | 1080 |
| LED lighting | 20W | 4h | 80 |
| Water pump | 30W | 0.5h | 15 |
| Phone charging | 15W | 2h | 30 |
| Daily consumption | 1205 Wh | ||
Recommended solar panels
302 Wc
4h average sun hours
Adjust these values with the calculator below
VANPOWERCALC PROYOUR ENERGY PROFILE
YOUR ENERGY PROFILE.
This document contains the sizing of your future electrical installation, calculated based on your appliances.
Minimum Daily Consumption
0 WH / DAY
Inventory:
SYSTEM SIZINGPage 2
Battery
To guarantee 0WH without damaging your bank (80% max discharge):
0 AH
LiFePO4 12V
Solar
Minimum power required to recharge your consumption:
0 W
via MPPT
220V AC
Maximum power (with 25% safety margin).
0 W
No Need
Safety & CablingPage 3
12V Cable Sizing Guide
Use this professional reference table to select the correct gauge (mm²) for your cables. For 12V in a van, the maximum tolerated voltage drop is 3%. Always use multi-stranded flexible automotive wire.
| Current (A) | Round trip < 2m | Round trip 4m | Round trip 6m |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5A (LEDs, USB) | 1.5 mm² | 2.5 mm² | 4 mm² |
| 10A (Fridge, Pump) | 2.5 mm² | 4 mm² | 6 mm² |
| 20A (Heater) | 4 mm² | 10 mm² | 10 mm² |
| 50A (DC/DC Booster) | 10 mm² | 16 mm² | 25 mm² |
| 100A (Inverter) | 25 mm² | 35 mm² | 50 mm² |
Fuse Sizing
The fuse protects the wire, not the appliance. Always place it as close to the power source as possible (battery or busbar).
- Wire 1.5 mm² → Max fuse 10A
- Wire 2.5 mm² → Max fuse 20A
- Wire 4 mm² → Max fuse 30A
- Wire 6 mm² → Max fuse 40A
- Wire 10 mm² → Max fuse 60A
SCHÉMA ÉLECTRIQUE
PANNEAUX SOLAIRES
0W
REGULATEUR MPPT
BATTERIE AUXILIAIRE
0 Ah
Lithium LiFePO4
FUSIBLE
FUSIBLE
BOÎTE À FUSIBLES 12V
Pompe, Leds, Frigo...
CONVERTISSEUR 220V
NON REQUI
PRO GEARPage 4
SHOPPING LIST
Where to find this equipment? Here is the community-approved selection.
12V 6-way Fuse Box
Mandatory protection
Digital Multimeter
Test your connections
Heavy Duty Crimping Tool
For perfect lugs
Heat Shrink Tubing
Insulation and safety
GENERATED BY VANPOWERCALC PRO - UNLIMITED.
About this tool
Where Buettner justifies the price: integration. Their system talks to the Schaudt EBL control boards that come factory-installed in German motorhomes. Plug in a Buettner MPPT and it feeds data directly to the dashboard display. A Victron MPPT needs its own Bluetooth app — it won't show on the Schaudt panel. That integration is worth something if you want a clean, factory-feel installation. If you're willing to monitor via a phone app instead of the dashboard, Victron offers better value: same or better performance, Bluetooth monitoring, firmware updates, and global availability. Renogy goes further on price — 40-50% cheaper than Buettner — but with no Schaudt integration and less polished software. For aftermarket upgrades on existing motorhomes: I'd go Victron. For factory-spec replacement on a German motorhome: Buettner keeps things seamless. For budget builds: Renogy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buettner better than Victron for solar?▼
Comparable performance. Buettner integrates with German motorhome control panels (Schaudt EBL). Victron has better app monitoring, firmware updates, and global availability. Buettner costs 30-50% more for equivalent specs.
Can I mix Buettner panels with a Victron MPPT?▼
Yes — solar panels are universal. Any panel works with any MPPT as long as voltage/current specs match. You lose Schaudt dashboard integration but gain Bluetooth monitoring.
Why is Buettner so expensive?▼
German engineering, Schaudt integration, motorhome OEM contracts, and smaller production volumes than Victron or Renogy. The actual solar cell technology is the same — the premium is for brand, integration, and dealer support.
Where can I buy Buettner outside Germany?▼
Mostly through German motorhome dealers and specialized online shops (Fritz Berger, Reimo). Outside the DACH region, availability drops significantly. Victron and Renogy are globally available through Amazon and specialty stores.
Should I replace my factory Buettner system?▼
Only if it's underperforming or you need more capacity. If it works, keep it. For upgrades, you can add Victron components alongside existing Buettner — they coexist on the same battery bus bar without conflict.