DC to DC Charging for your Van | Victron Orion Install

In this video I'll show you I installed a Victron Orion DC to DC charger in my 2023 Ram Promaster camper van. I will show you how to connect the charger to your van's starter battery and how to connect the charger to your van's house battery bank. With easy to follow diagrams and clear explanations, you will learn how to determine proper wire and fuse sizes, the equipment and parts you will need and how to ensure your system is safe and reliable.
Throughout the video, I have referenced several specific products I used. Listed below are most of those items. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You’ll still need to take some time and do the necessary research to make sure these items will work for your particular application.
Battleborn Heated Lithium, amzn.to/49JOsaU
Victron Battery Charger, amzn.to/3tvLw2I
Shore Power Inlet, amzn.to/4aB5zxi
3-Conductor Stranded Wire, amzn.to/3vV3EUo
Dometic CRX110 Refrigerator, amzn.to/41A426E
24” 12V TV/DVD Player, amzn.to/3GVT3uU
Heated Lithium Batteries, amzn.to/47ciDGF
4/0 Battery Cable, amzn.to/48sw8mp
50’ 8 Gauge Wire, amzn.to/48ajuc3
50’ 10 Gauge Wire, amzn.to/3tEk6Yp
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WAGO Connectors, amzn.to/48cSgSm
Victron Battery Monitor, amzn.to/3ve1fnH
Victron Lynx Distributor, amzn.to/48eKsPR
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[@dronesofyork8055]

You mentioned ferrules for the 6 AWG wire, however, the link to your kit does not include a ferrule in the kit for less than 8 AWG.

[@igoslomo]

Super informative video. Can you use the new Orion XS with the Promaster? I don’t necessarily need more power but I like the form factor and doesn’t heat up as much as the older one. Thoughts?

[@TheVanTeacher]

Thank you! As best I can tell, the new Orion XS will get along just fine with the Promaster standard alternator. It will put a little more stain on it, but still well below the alternator’s output capacity of 180 amps. I’ve seen guys use two Orion 30amp chargers together with no problem. If you already have the Orion 30amp with 6awg wiring and a 60amp fuse, the XS is a direct replacement with no wiring/fuse upgrade. The only reason you would need larger wire would be if you are running extremely long distances, like 100 feet or so. I like the new XS charger for its efficiency and advanced monitoring features, but the 30 amp model is really fast and more than plenty for small to mid sized battery banks. Check out Explorist.life as Nate has done a few videos on the XS.

[@igoslomo]

@@TheVanTeacher thank you so much!

[@ericjansen9042]

So, what if I'm trying to eliminate my lead acid starter batteries altogether in favor of LFP batteries? In my case it's for my 08' F250 that I don't drive as much anymore, and it constantly has dead batteries. It's also parked on the street so I can't really leave a trickle charger running. At least if the LFP batteries go to super low it won't impact them nearly as much as the lead acids when they go to zero. If the lead acid batteries get too deeply discharged, though they'll charge back up, they just don't have the same CCA or SoH anymore (at least per my tester). I couldn't really go with the setup that you drew out, but I'm sure there's some sort of option that just goes between the alternator and the LFP batteries? Or would it be as simple as having the alternator connect to the input on the Orion and the Output go to the LFPs?

[@TheVanTeacher]

Good question as it seems Lithium batteries would be a good option given their benefits in so many areas. As for a stater battery replacement I don’t think it would work for a few reasons. Lithium batteries might shut down when the on board battery management system detects the very high current when starting your vehicle. They also don’t take a charge when the temp drops below freezing and stop providing power all together when it’s much colder. I’d maybe look into a solar trickle charger that you could leave on the dashboard and keep plugged into a 12v socket.