Victron Orion Non Isolated vs Isolated DC-DC charger

Victron Energy TR smart 12-12/30 battery to battery or dc to dc charger
You can now book me to help you design your electrical system and order items directly www.energybear.co.uk
Orion non isolated TR 12/12-30a: amzn.to/3xnONiJ
Orion ISOLATED TR 12/12-30A: amzn.to/3xeLWc7
2 x 60a Midi fuses: amzn.to/3btDR8S I would recommend buying 2 sets so you have spare fuses
2 x midi fuse holders: amzn.to/3fmBki0
Ferrule crimping tool up to 10mm cable: amzn.to/3ohUt8G
Heat shrink: amzn.to/3onTP9J
10mm cable: amzn.to/3uQ23dg
You can check out my blog post that runs back through the details: aboutavan.wordpress.com/2021/...
In this video I am explaining the difference between an isolated charger and non isolated Victron Orion TR smart, I hope this helps you with your battery to battery install and helps you determine which one is better for your build.
Email: [e-mail]

[@davesmith9269]

The first vid I've seen that covers volt drop instead of just using cable sizes :) Like you said calculating volt drop with 12 volt system is just so important. With some fridges now cutting off at 11.8 volts and some vids on here saying 1.5 mm csa cable is ok to use your vid is like a breath of fresh air. Love your mention on fusing also. Nice to see a competent person making vids. :)

[@Aboutavan]

Thanks for the feedback Dave! Pleased you found the video helpful!

[@iancormack5531]

I live on a narrow boat and found this very useful I'm about to update my old LA batteries and split charge system to pure carbon AGM.. Good video.

[@julianr1862]

Thanks for explaining isolated v non isolated. Very good video!

[@RichardsonSP]

Great video, thank you for explanation on isolated vs non-isolated systems

[@leepryor123]

Thank you for that, very clear and easy for me to understand.

[@blake1701]

Thank you Adam, lovely clear video with great amount of information, it has been really useful watching it. Thanks.

[@Aboutavan]

Hi Andrew, thanks for the feedback! Glad it helped :-)

[@kakapokampas996]

Hi from NZ. About to install a DC to DC charger in my camper trailer. Have been considering Victron v cheaper versions. You have sold me on Victron. Also great explanation on isolated v non isolated. Have now started following you😄😄

[@ac14081408]

Very helpful thank you from the US

[@anthonynagle]

Brilliant video and really well explained for us novices

[@InvisageStudios]

Super helpful! Definitely following your IG for more tips. Thank you!

[@mikemcguire5859]

Good video. To the point information and several needed safety tips for a DIY'er..

[@cjsautosltd8697]

EXPLAINED VERY WELL.

[@tomaskey6844]

Subscribed! Upgrading from Renogy to Victron in a Chevy Express. Can’t wait to hook it up but I’ve got a few more things to work out. Biggest concern now is how to wire six 100w solar panels. I have a Renogy Rover for two of the panels and I got a Victron 100/30 which should be fine for the other four panels but I want all Victron MPPT’s so they can connect to the Cerbo GX. I’m reading the manuals and will lay out and draw out the wiring before cutting cables because I want a compact, neat, and serviceable install. Will probably use a temporary panel until cabinets get built. Just finished insulating the floor and laying down the sub floor so next is sound dampener paint and mat(Second Skin Audio), and thinsulate on the walls and ceiling. Thanks for the information.

[@clintvilla7318]

Fantastic video, very very helpful.

[@Aboutavan]

Thank you for the feedback! :-)

[@mikehainsworth747]

seems very knowledgeable, now following

[@DH-nb9ey]

Victron have great instructions but are useless at explaining their product uses and integrations. Great vid, simple and clear. Thanks

[@Aboutavan]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@whitewolfdj]

Thanks for the info Adam, we are still in the planning stages for our van and were having difficulties in deciding which DC to DC charger to go for. We had it down to one of three, the Sterling CTEK or the Victron. after watching this vid decision is made Victron it will be. Cheers for uploading.

[@Aboutavan]

No worries Andy, pleased it helped. If you need to order one you can email me @ [e-mail] always happy to help.

[@jamesmason7124]

Hello from America, just so you know the Ctek is not designed for lithium batteries and the charging profiles are different between lead acid and lithium batteries

[@Mark-ei7yh]

@@jamesmason7124 there is a newer model CTEK that claims to have a Lithium setting. That said, I don’t think it is “programmable,” so if their preconfigured Lithium profile does not match your particular battery, well, it might not be the best.

[@martymonsterfishing]

@@jamesmason7124 the CTEK D250SE is lithium compatible, the older D250S or D250SA models aren't.

[@narrowboating]

Thanks, wiring a narrow boat so need isolated but great video

[@Aboutavan]

Pleased it helped!

[@the.vanbuzz-campingandoutd4772]

Great info, cheers dude.

[@Aboutavan]

You’re very welcome :-)

[@peterc2248]

Excellent video. Quick question re cable sizing from starter battery to the Orion - could you demonstrate the cable sizing calculation? Also the same for the Orion to leisure battery cable size? I think it would be interesting and useful for many of us building vans. Thanks

[@meeder78]

Thanks for this great video. These chargers have only one big drawback. You can't limit the current manually and that is something they should have included for this price.

[@Aboutavan]

Always happy to provide content that helps others! Yes that would be a nice feature, the other that Victron need to add is the ability to add the Orion to the smart network to enable the Orion to link in with the Battery sense for temperature monitoring of Lithium batteries! You can trick the unit by entering different parameters for the leisure batteries so it goes into absorption mode quicker reducing the current to around 14 amps.

[@meeder78]

@@Aboutavan better integration in the VE Smart Network would be great as well. Victron has hinted about a successor which might have more features. I am currently looking at the Victron Buck-Boost converter since it is fully programmable. The downside is that it isn't technically a charger and that you need a piece of Windows only software to configure the unit. It is also a lot more expensive than the Orion series.

[@Aboutavan]

@@meeder78 Yes they are a lot more expensive, it's a shame victron can't just make the changes via a software update! Let me know if you go for one and how you get on :-)

[@bigchiefbear]

Just come across your. Just what I've been looking as new TO THE VICTRON BATTERY BC TO DC.i have Discovery 3.2007.2.7TDI HSE auto.it kills batterys if you dont use through the week.as this vehicle has so many computers and alarms et so i installed a second battery.(75 amp).deep cycle leasure battery to help with few gadgets I have. But I have to now fit bc to dc charger plus 2 more larger deep cycle leasure 110amp 12volt batterys .this is to help with my PASSION OF COURSE (carp fishing).no generators are allowed to tHelp with our needs at camp site. I am in process of buying all the parts to start my charging station.plus battery banks. Great video . Your video has given more info, and confidence. To tackle this big job for for me. Keep videos coming. All the best. Jason Adams.'

[@Aboutavan]

Thanks for the feedback Jason, glad the video helped! Have you thought about installing a little dash solar panel to help trickle charge the battery when it's parked up?

[@bigchiefbear]

@@Aboutavan no I hadnot thought bout setting up solar panel while parked up. That's great idea thank you. Will look into pricing up.i use ebay for lots of it's. Is there anywhere you would recommend for the charging gear pls. 🙂😀

[@Aboutavan]

I'm not sure where you're based in the world? this one would work in the UK: amzn.to/3xBlKtn

[@bigchiefbear]

@@Aboutavan .I'm based in Boston. UK.

[@leighflorence5134]

hi great video. Love all your videos. Been having so much trouble understanding this bit of equipment and this helped. I am thinking of buying 2x 30ah LifePo4 batteries from Ecoworthy (cheapest price from UK supplier i can find). Ecoworthy when contacted them first advised not charging with van battery, but then said if I did to not charge at more than 10A. My question is based on your stages of charging will i program this unit to only ever charge at 10A. Is that possible and will it take a long drive to recharge?

[@remmah89]

Very helpful, thnx

[@rhendersbee685]

Great content. Production quality: The acoustics - your room echoes, muffles and hardens some tones. A lapel microphone may help. Your lighting is behind you and shadows your face. Language, cadence, tenor, and engagement all great.

[@Aboutavan]

Thanks for the tip! I’ll invest in a mic at some point soon! :-)

[@stahpit1971]

Good Stuff

[@boxcardonny]

Thanks

[@bernhard4924]

Great video, thank you! You speak from earth/ground as negative pole. Ok. But if you have an inverter with a real earth (3rd) connection, should I connect it to the chassis, which means to the negative pole? Thank you

[@ElizabethEstevez-bh2un]

Thanks for this. I have this non isolated charger, about to install. If my leisure battery has a good negative ground can I run the negative ground wire through the negative terminal on my leisure battery or should I just ground it to a point on the floor chassis?

[@wilker1978]

Really informative video ! Question I have installed the isolated version on my current setup , just purchased one second hand and notice it’s the non isolated version . Can I ad that to my current setup ? Thanks for advise

[@MrEnginears]

Hiya. Thanks for the video. On the non-isolated version, is it possible to wire the leisure batteries to the chassis for charging purposes, yet run the power system (inverter etc) straight off the batteries, not using the chassis? (ie isolated for use, non-isolated for charging) Thanks :)

[@jonathanstakeberg8030]

Great video (Y) I´m about to buy one and use it as a dc-dc charger from my starter battery to housing battery. BUT i also thinking of having it as a power supply for my computer. so i will have to have some sort of switch to make it dual channel intake. either from starter battery or housing battery pending on what im using it for. does it sound crazy? :D

[@jistjadfitzpatrick9305]

Hi there, followed your advice and ordered a non isolated for my 2014 crafter- doubting myself now. We will be grounding our battery to the van- do you know if this would be suitable for a 2014 Crafter start up battery set up?

[@Whiskybottle118]

Good video. I've bought an Orion 12-12 Isolated 18A, though it's clear from this that the non-isolated would have done. Is this a problem? It's going in a Vauxhall Combo and both batteries will be connected to the van chassis. Can I just connect the two -ve terminals together and ground them to the main battery? My current problem is where to put it. I've read about how hot they get so under the passenger seat with the second battery doesn't sound good. I'm thinking under the bonnet and the only space I can see is in the wing behind the LHS headlight, a mounting frame would be needed. Just how hot do they get?

[@markbergman2342]

you can use a isolated unit also in non-isolated setup where you bridge the negative terminals.

[@Whiskybottle118]

I've just asked the same question, did you find the answer?

[@bobscullion3533]

Hi, if I,m fitting a battery monitor with a shunt should i take the earth/ground wire to the P- on the shunt or to an earth/ground point on the body? thanks Bob

[@grahamjones4888]

Very good, informative and a good explanation of the isolated and non-isolated. Please can I ask, I am converting a 2000 Land Rover 130 td5 to an over lander. The budget is tight so I’m afraid that lithium is out, I intend to use 2x12v 120amp leisure batteries to maintain 12v (not 24v). Do I need 2 b2b units or will one suffice. How do I balance the different voltages/amps? Thanks.

[@royblackburn1163]

You only need one, your batteries will balance themselves .

[@wobby1516]

What happens if I upgrade to lithium and I’ve an schaudt electroblock that is doing the charge on my existing gel batteries , can I fit a Victron b2b alongside or should I isolate the electroblock when the engine is running, which I can do with a 100 amp relay fed from the ignition.

[@lunaumbra5179]

My van appears to use the chassis as a negative bus. I determine this by the number of connections to the chassis in a multitude of places. Does this give me more reason to use the isolated version?

[@terryatkins]

Why do your prefer common ground over floating?

[@symonchester]

I have acquired the isolated version but my leisure battery goes to ground can I still use it?

[@peterhughes61]

Thanks Adam the only vid I've seen on non isolated units .I'm looking to add one to my caravan .what I fined confusing is the 2 positive and one negative wire.so if I run the neg and pos from my car to the unit does the other positive go to my battery,and it charges my lithium batterys,or do I run a second neg wire from the unit to the battery. cheers

[@nizym5963]

On the Orion, "In" is connected to the caravans positive starter battery. "GND" Is connected to your chassis/metal frame/caravan negative battery post. "Out" connects to your lithium battery positive post or circuit. Not the caravans. - Your lithium Negative post is also connected to your chassis/metal frame//caravan negative battery post. Which is why it is "non-isolated". - Size cables and fuses correctly.

[@denisbradley1092]

Hi great video. What about the 18amp version does it come isolated and non. My solar is 175 wat and both batteries 12 volt one Agm. Is the 18 amp OK for my situation Thanks Denis

[@nestorxfdez]

Thanks, extremely helpful video! Why do you recommend wiring the leisure battery to ground? Intuitively I would assume that separating the vehicle and leisure battery is safer?

[@Aboutavan]

Sorry I’ve just seen this, if you’re using the non isolated version then you’ll need to ground the batteries to the chassis, if you’re using the isolated model you would not need to ground the leisure batteries to the chassis.

[@ElizabethEstevez-bh2un]

@@Aboutavan Hi. I have just purchased the non isolated version. I previously had a CTEk charge D250s which has a pisitive to starter, positive to leisure and negative to leisure. The leisure battery and starter are grounded to chassis. Can I therefore run the Orion cables exactly the same with the negative connected to to my leisure battery negative terminal.....or do I need to attach the negative wire to a grounding point on chassis floor? Thank you in advance.

[@HansKeesom]

At the beginning you could be more clear that for 24 volt a different orion is needed. That name on the device tells you from which : to which voltage it goes.

[@CasaperotiWestfaliaAmundsen]

Excelent

[@tomengels9808]

Hey there, well explained!!! I‘m used to isolated vs non from audio work so I know the basics. By accident I ordered the isolated version (same price here) but I‘m running a non isolated setup with an old standard alternator in our van. Would you have any concerns running the isolated version with common ground (by just bridging the ground terminals to common ground) or do you think I should return the unit for a non isolated one? Thanx a lot in advance and keep up your great work!!!

[@OutdoorsIQ]

Same question here, did you figure this out?

[@Whiskybottle118]

Same for me and this question has been asked a few times. Don't see why it shouldn't work, the battery groungs are connected together anyway

[@corneliubaroi8111]

Hi. I would like to connect a solar panel and the alternator în the same time. What dc to dc charger I should use?

[@climblivefree8344]

Running a LN1 T2 basically Vario MK1 want to step from 24v -12v Checked alternator output as far as I can see the output is 80amps Wondering if these units would be ok 80amps seems high 🤔

[@garymiller7870]

Nice job, can you do a review of the Victron Orion XS 12/12 chargers? I understand they are available in Europe now. I think you would be one of the first. I am thinking of installing a pair to charge a 12V 400Ah LiFePo4 battery bank with a 120A alternator. Sailors like it fast so we can get back to sailing slow.

[@Aboutavan]

Hey Gary, as soon as I can get my hands on one I’ll try to make a video 😌

[@killafish6087]

Thank you for great video. I see that output current is 10 to 30A. Can I also charge my 12V 8Ah Lithium battery with this or is battery to small?

[@simonroberts9759]

You need a much smaller output charger for an 8ah battery.

[@MR-kc9xt]

Does a circuit breaker count as a fuse? Or should you have both?

[@lorenhead6072]

More about dc-to-dc Chargers on boats from lithium to LED or vice versa

[@michaelbillings2317]

On a trailer that has 7 pin, don't the grounds of the vehicle and the trailer all connect? What is the reason to run isolated in this case? What's an easy test to check if your grounds are the same?

[@marywrong7041]

What is the difference between Renogy DC to DC charger, 20A vs a Victron 20A ? Small battery packs in a RV, what is the reason we need a 30A ? On the web, Renogy is on sale now 1/9/2022 for USD $110.49 with free shipping.

[@VAGOLNET]

Hello from Argentina ! Your explanation is very clear, I have the same model but the isolated one, the question I want to ask you is related to the fuses, my auxiliary battery is 200 AH Lifepo4, they told me to place a 60 fuse at the positive output of the starter battery and the same one at the positive output of the auxiliary battery, would this be correct? And if so, do I need another fuse? I ask you because they suggested another 200 fuse that I don't know where it would go. Thank you so much

[@Aboutavan]

Hey there, I’m pleased this video helped you! I would recommend using 2 x 50a fuses, one close to the engine battery and one close to the leisure battery :-)

[@theschermulies2366]

Great video. Now let me see if my understanding is right (probably not). I have the non-isolated dc to dc unit so I ground this to the chassis of my sprinter, I have 2 x 130ah AGM batteries connected in parallel. 1 of these also gets connected to ground and the other side of the battery bank negative would go into my Victron smart shunt. Is this correct?

[@Aboutavan]

I would earth the DC-DC charger to either the starter battery or the leisure battery, then make sure your leisure batteries are strapped or ‘earthed’ to the chassis.

[@ioanshah9428]

Really great video... am I right in thinking if its all wired up properly there's no difference between the isolated and non isolated versions? My system will hopefully be used in the alps during winter when we can travel 😄😄

[@ioanshah9428]

@Mat Tear so I got the isolated... 4 wires and it was very straight forward... and I can use the unit for something else where I can't easily ground the system.... couple of extra quid but its what most people seem to get...

[@ioanshah9428]

@Mat Tear I do t think isolated requires a ground to function... but obvs it should be grounded somewhere...

[@malcolmdavid722]

Good info thanks Can a dcdc charger be used with an mppt controller and does the total output combine or reduce ?

[@Aboutavan]

Hi Malcolm, if you’re using a victron MPPT then they measure the state of charge and adapt their output accordingly, so if your battery bank is full then your solar yield would be very low even on a sunny day. You can get combined units from Sterling which I believe are 30A units, I prefer to have some redundancy built in though so I’m not relying on one unit for all of my charging.

[@wobby1516]

I’m not sure if I’ve got a common earth on our van so I’ve opted to buy the isolated version I’m also fitting a 200 amp lithium battery, will just one of these 30 amp B2Bs be enough as we wild camp throughout the year. I’ve a Hymer Exsis I 2013 model. My on board mains chargers have a gel settings which I’m told by the battery supplier is ok for the lithium battery he’s supplying. My only problem is the electroblock supply’s both main charging and the split charge via just one conductor to the leisure battery’s . I’ve no idea how to disconnect the split charge relay in the electroblock. So I thought of fitting a relay normally open in this conductor that would only make a connection when the mains power supply was on and the engine off. Any comments would be most helpful.

[@patheurman3992]

Hy Wobby, I would suggest to juste pull the fuse from the ELB 12 Volt charger, if you have a inverter that can be connected to a shore connection and charge your 200Amp battery.

[@bones3386]

Hi Great vid by the way,are wet acid leisure batteries compatible with this product?I purchased a vsr but now I’m thinking not to bother with it in my build

[@Aboutavan]

Yes you can programme the unit to all different battery types in the settings so they’ll work with lead acid, gel, lithium etc :-) the VSR is not totally useless, it does provide extra power, they’ve been used for a long time. The DC-DC charger is just a lot more efficient at the same job.

[@nathan35uk]

Hi ,many thanks for the vid and info , just a question please ,my system I think is isolated on a Renault Master van , the leisure battery is not grounded to the chassis (in the rear boot space) the negative cable runs through the van up into the electracal box near the front with the victron inverter and mppt etc , I cant see anywhere where the earth goes to the chassis apart from an earth the goes from the victron inverter body to the chassis , can I just earth the leisure battery to the chassis and earth the negative 12v bus bar the same in the box to create a non isolated system and use the non isolated Orion Tr Smart ? hope this makes sense :)

[@nizym5963]

Yes but you would achieve the same result by simply doing the negative bus bar to the chassis and leaving the battery alone.

[@blogdoriomCamicleta]

Bom dia. Tenho uma camper e estou montando uma bateria 4s de 230 A lifpo4. Tenho uma geração solar de 600 wats e um controlador de 40 A epever, e um carregador de 30 A. Se ligar um orion 12 12 30 , como o sistema administra todas essas entradas de energia para carregar a bateria do Camper? Sou do Brasil!

[@nil2k]

I bought an isolated one to put in my trailer to isolate the 7-pin power connector from the trailer power system (that I'm converting to lithium), but now I'm wondering if there is really any reason to isolate the grounds between the two vehicles since when they're hitched up, they're actually going to be in physical contact anyway. If I try to maintain the isolation when I do the install, I'm going to make it harder on myself if I want to use the smart shunt to measure the alternator voltage from the 7-pin connector because it'll be on an isolated ground.. so in the end as far as I can tell (unless I'm wrong), I've wasted the extra $40 or so that it cost because I'll end up having to tie the grounds together or I won't be able to measure with the smart shunt.

[@Aboutavan]

I would say you’ve done the right thing buying the isolated model for this use. I wouldn’t advise running a non isolated model on this setup.

[@ChadLower]

I'm about to buy a victron charger and might have some questions about fusing it properly. Happy to use your links for affiliate. How can I reach out to you for info about the fusing?

[@Aboutavan]

Hey Chad, the best place is Instagram @aboutavan or email me, it's in the video description :-)

[@robertoverdeer3326]

Question, Can you use an isolated in a non isolated situation and jumper the negative terminals together?

[@bdgnkzjvyv]

yes

[@geffenberg]

Hello!! I need help!! VW vanagon. Have a non isolated current system but old wet battery died. Battle born recommended isolated 12 12 30 to go with their 100 aH lifepo4. I didn’t do original setup but I’m realizing I don’t have a clue how to hook up!! I’m wondering if I can simply use the 12 12 30 non isolated which would be a simple transition but battle born says because lifepo4 I must use isolated. I’m confused!! Thanks, Jon

[@Aboutavan]

Hey Jon, the non isolated ones are compatible with Lithium batteries however, if that's what Battleborn say it would be worth going with their suggestion to avoid them getting out of any warranty claims.

[@frankbrisk5818]

Hi, so I'd like to set up a spare lifepo4 battery and 3000w inverter inside my 2018 Toyota Tundra. This way I can run an oxygen concentrator in my vehicle to get to Mayo Clinic. I'd like to have everything inside the truck at the backseat. Can this be used inside the truck? What wire gauges would you recommend. Thank you, very informative.

[@nizym5963]

Yes it could fit. You would have to design a mounting system for the various components and consider removing the rear seating. There is more needed than the things you have mentioned however. Wire gauges differ for each component and is also determined based on the load. There are many gauge calculators online and you could also look at other peoples projects to get an understanding of what is required additionally.

[@nigelwood5127]

just going to do my van so it be really helpful to get some help from you please in about one week time and get you to start me up with charger said please thank Nigel

[@wayne_morgan]

Really good video, I think it's convinced me to purchase this unit. I've just subscribed to your channel and started to follow your on Instagram. I'm just in the process of starting the build, in that I have another van sitting on the drive and already turning the kitchen in to a store room with bits to carry out the conversion myself. What leisure batteries do you recommend? I may have a few others questions, if you don't mind me emailing you, I would much appreciate your help/advice?

[@Aboutavan]

Hi Wayne, I haven't seen an email from you but sure!

[@wayne_morgan]

@@Aboutavan Hi, I didn't want to assume so was waiting a response from you, I've emailed you know. Thanks.

[@bobjary9382]

Excuse me if this is a newbie question but how does this work with an internally regulated alternator where the field coil is controlled by a circuit inside the unit ? Thanks B

[@Aboutavan]

You can log into the unit via the app and change the parameters to match the alternator you’re using to ensure cut in/out happens at the correct voltage.

[@Graybeard_]

I'm building a cargo trailer (conversion), and I want to run a charging cable from my truck (starter) batteries (I have a Duramax diesel with two batteries, parallel). Since my setup will not share a common ground (whenever the trailer is not physically connected to the truck) do I want an isolated or a non-isolated charger? I'm assuming that I will have a ground to the trailer frame for my house batteries and a the truck, of course, has its own to frame ground.

[@Aboutavan]

You’ll want an isolated charger for this purpose, you can use something like an Anderson connector for a quick disconnect system when not in use but I would recommend placing the Orion at the front of the trailer to ensure the cable run isn’t too long and use 16mm2 cable, not sure what that is in AWG!

[@Graybeard_]

@@Aboutavan Thank you for the reply. Yes, I'm building a cabinet on the trailer tongue to store the lithium batteries, charger and inverter. I will be using a pigtail (short length of chord) to bridge from the truck bumper to the cabinet. The pigtail will have male Andersons at both ends. If I did my homework correctly, I'll be using 8awg wire.

[@djmayna87]

Is there a conservative play here? Isolated vs Non-Isolated. For example; when in doubt, go with Isolated? I'm purchasing my van built already, and many components are not easy to get to to verify.

[@functionalfitnessbedford8777]

Hi, I’ve just found out my van has a smart alternator. I’ve decided to go with the Orion B2B smart charger. I have a 120ah leisure battery. Would a 18a charger do or will I need the 30a? Please help lol Thanks in advance Chris

[@patheurman3992]

FFB this all depends on the charging capacity of your alternator. I have a 90 Amp alternator and a 120Amp Lifepo4 battery (see the difference) so I went for a 12-12 18Amp Victron dc-dc charger( this means 18 Amps for my leisure Batt and the rest for the the starting batt and lightning). Just for not fu...ng up my old alternator. And it works perfect, if I drive 6 hrs from one location to a other location than my Lifepo4 is almost 100% recharged. I'm not boondocking for several days

[@itszach6808]

Can I run my input directly from the 12v alternator instead of the start battery?

[@Aboutavan]

Yes you can, apologies for the 11 month delay in replying! Hopefully you've solved this by now.

[@bobbyedwards6144]

Hi just so I’m a 100% sure I need the non isolated as on my van I have earth to the chassis? Thanks Great video to you have a video installing one

[@Aboutavan]

Hey Bobby, sorry just seen this, you can go for either, if you’ve earthed your leisure battery to the body though you can happily go for the non isolated version!

[@ElizabethEstevez-bh2un]

@@Aboutavan if leisure battery earthed to the body can I just attach tye negative wire from Orion charger to negative battery terminal?

[@melvyntate365]

Have a sailing yacht with 5x105amp house battery bank charged by solar, the boat is not in use for 6 months of year, Need to trickle charge when not in use the engine start and 2 x 12volt bow thruster batteries, will the VictronConnect 12 12 30 do this from the solar charged house battery bank ???

[@Aboutavan]

You can turn these modules into power supply modes which leaves them open I believe, I will try to check this and get back to you, I know it works as a power supply engine side to leisure.

[@alangardner5640]

What size wire and ferrules did you use on your 12v DC to DC Charger install?

[@Aboutavan]

If you’re installing the 30A unit then you’ll want to use 16mm2 cable as recommended by victron :-) but you could use 10mm2 depending on the size of the run as this is up to 70AMPS most ferrule kits won’t come with 16mm2 pieces so you’ll need to buy a crimper and ferrules for it separately.

[@alangardner5640]

@@Aboutavan Thanks for the response, very helpful.

[@mikereid7036]

can i connect straight to my van battery rather than to the alternator with my positive lead to charge my leisure battery

[@Aboutavan]

Yes you can :-)

[@philiphurley5167]

We're can I buy one from pllease

[@watchnutteruk6901]

Great video Adam I installed a isolated 12/12/18 last week and am at my wits end with it I can only get it to work properly if I run the air conditioning on full other than that it will come on under breaking of 30 seconds or so then turns straight back off could you please help me set the programming up for it I would be very grateful I’ve tried the face book groups and the support pages and had no joy 👏

[@Aboutavan]

Sorry, I’ve only just seen this, I got so many comments it was hard to keep up!

[@corneliubaroi8111]

Or I can use a chinese mppt and a victron dc to dc? How I connect them?

[@markhpluygers2226]

Excellent Guide. Thank you Sir. I have inherited a campervan. I have a question others might appreciate. I understand the 12-12-30 Dc to Dc. I have also an MPPT 75/15. Solar. It also charges the Leisure Batteries, (2 x 100ah Gel). Lastly, another Victron Box, a Multiplus 12/1200/50. which charges the 2 Gel batteries when plugged in or is an inverter off grid. So far, so good. Everything is Isolated. There is a But; when the engine is off, no one is charging the motor battery. So none of these three boxes looks after the motor battery! Do I need a 4th box or revamp the Solar Wiring? The 12-12-30, stops the Solar reaching the Motor Battery and when the van is plugged into 230V grid, same thing. I get full Voltage )14.1v up to the 12-12-30. What did I miss? Thanks a million..... maybe I missed a setting on the 12-12-30?

[@Aboutavan]

Hey Mark, you are right none of those components look after the starter battery, the older VSR would open both ways when voltage went above threshold so the solar panels would end up charging leisure and van batteries. You could wire from the MPPT’s load ports with an inline switch to allow you to charge the van batteries when needed. community.victronenergy.com/articles/2992/load-output-of-mppt-charge-controllers.html This link might help!

[@markhpluygers2226]

@@Aboutavan Thank you.

[@Samuel-jq6tx]

How do you ascertain if your Mhome is fitted with a ‘smart’ alternator? How do you examine the Mhome to determine which model of charger is required? Does this charger have any role when the Mhome is electrically hooked-up?

[@Aboutavan]

Hey Samuel, this does not have a role when hooked up a multiplus would do that job if you had one installed, Any van of any age can have a DC TO DC charger and it's better for your battery bank to use one. Usually you'll have a smart alternator on anything that's euro 5+

[@Samuel-jq6tx]

@@Aboutavan Hi and Tyou for prompt reply. Would I be correct in thinking the B to B charger is really designed for ‘wild campers’ and of little use to me as I stay on campsites where I use EHU’s? My van is a 4 years old Hymer with 2 leisure batteries but one charger. Can you envisage the fitting of this charger being useful to me or the batteries which were replaced last year as one was defective?

[@shitina.bucket9699]

Should I get one of these to charge my new lithium batteries off my old flooded lead acid batteries?

[@Aboutavan]

Do you mean your starter battery which is lead acid or some other power source?

[@shitina.bucket9699]

@@Aboutavan hello and thank you for the replying, not my starter I'm off grid in an old cottage iv purchased new lithium batteries for powering the cottage and was wondering could I use this device to charge off of the old flooded lead acid batteries?

[@joe72061]

How do I know what size inline fuse to use?? Basically im just using my 1000 Watt inverter to charge batteries for my Milwaukee tools.

[@Aboutavan]

It will depend on your inverters peak power, the manufacturar should give the fuse sizing but for a 1000 watt inverter with a peak power of say 2000 watts I would fuse it with a 160 amp fuse - for milwaukee 18v tools though you won’t even need a 1000 watt, a 375 or 500 pheonix would be more than enough 🙂

[@DaveRenfroe]

Thanks for this - comprehensive and well done. So I have a fiberglass truck camper on a Chev truck and installed a Victron Isolated 18A dc/dc charger. I did have to run a wire to connect directly to the 7 pin connector positive lead. However I am using the ground (negative) at the battery. There is a ground buss-bar near the 7 pin connector and it looks like there is a substantial wire going from there to the battery compartment (I think). So I have connected both negative wires from the Victron charger to the negative terminal on the battery. So the 2 negative terminals are jumpered together and connect to the battery terminal. So did I buy the wrong thing - would the non-isolated one work? I believe I have a problem with wiring though, either in the camper on in (or under) the truck. When the charger begins drawing current the voltage drops to 8.8v with the truck end at 13.5v. Anyway, I am asking for a refund as I don't have the ability to install new heavy wiring and connectors, etc. But I am wondering if this voltage drop may be due to incorrect wiring. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

[@DaveRenfroe]

I think I got it going. I bypassed a couple of fuses and re-did some questionable wiring in the truck. I think it is working on the edge as far as kicking out when it first starts drawing the 18amps. We'll see. Thanks again.

[@PatoKaminsky]

If I run a negative cable from the starter battery to the negative bus bar, would my system be grounded in that case? Wondering if that would be enough for using the non-isolated version. Thanks!

[@Diarmaid1985]

Hi. Did this work out for you?

[@simonroberts9759]

The non isolated version does not provide a negative connector on the input side.

[@AcidDotCom]

Hi, short answer is yes. Your negative bus bar is connected to the negative on a starter battery and every car has it's negative port on the starter battery connected to the body frame. One thing to bear in mind is that not every metal piece on the bodywork might be necessarily connected to the body frame, even if it is screwed together, there might be isolation in between (like paint or rubber). Would advice to check the connection with some electrical tester if you are not sure and would like to use the body as a negative connection.

[@Diarmaid1985]

@@AcidDotCom To solve this could I earth bond the negative bus bar to the van body and then connect the earth from the invertor also to the negative bus bar????

[@Whiskybottle118]

@@AcidDotCom "every car has it's negative port on the starter battery connected to the body frame" Careful with that, it was common to have positive earth cars, I have one, though I've since converted it to negative earth.

[@leerobinson3321]

Hi I’m hoping you can help me the box that my dc to dc charger came in was a bit battered and I seam to have lost the jumper block for the charging feature do you know if I can purchase one from somewhere Thanks Lee

[@Aboutavan]

Hi Lee, are you referring to the little green block that comes with the units?

[@leerobinson3321]

Yes I was but after searching some more sites I have found out what they were called and got one from Amazon Thanks all working fine now

[@vechnyak]

I am doing an install of one of these. The guy that bought it purchased isolated version without knowing. Can the grounds be bridged to make it non-isolated?

[@nizym5963]

Yes.

[@JeepTJay6]

Is it possible to dial down the output on this DCDC? In other words set it up to send 18A to my battery rather than 30A?

[@Aboutavan]

Hey there, it's not possible to alter the output of these, if you need an 18A output I'd recommend grabbing the 12/18 model which is also cheaper!

[@JeepTJay6]

@@Aboutavan Hi! Thanks for the advice. I actually looked into the 12/18 but unfortunately I couldn’t find a non-isolated version. Not sure if it exists. I decided to buy the 12/12-30 and step up to a 100AH capacity. I plan on getting the battery in the very near future.

[@streepjemadurodam3617]

Good tutorial but too much focus on the Victron as such, almost no info on the isolated vs. non-isolated topic. With a little help from your friends .... ^_^. Like a bird on the (electrical) wire : the bird is smart enough to keep both legs close together else ... BBQ will be the result . So many people ignore Ohm's law : voltage drop = current * resistance, for sure when high currents are involved ( 50 A , 100 A , 200 A in vans, camper, RV, ...) Non-isolated charger : the grounding wire is going from the alternator (A) to the starter accu (B), from B to the Victron C (common in & out) , from C to auxillary battery D, from D to inverter E. The black wire string A-B-C-D-E is handling all different currents in the intermediate sections and will have all different NON-ZERO voltages on the nodes B, C ,D and E. (with respect to reference A). Example : 30 Amp in 1 meter AWG8 will result in a voltage drop of some 60 mV. This 60 mV is fooling the Victron (and also the BMS in the LiFePO4 battery). As opposed to the above STRING topology the isolated Victron will allow for the STAR topology. All common nodes (B , C, D) do have their own individual black wire connected to A (or B is also acceptable). Of course the same story is also true for the red 12 V wires, but here the voltage drops as such are less critical for Victron , BMS, ... because the " zero volts" is the reference.This will reduce the differences in the "common ground voltage" to more acceptible values and thus more accurate behaviour of theVictron and the BMS.

[@scentybeast9531]

Any experience with the 12 24 dc to dc from them? I was told that 24 volt systems can't be charged by alternator but that unit fixes that problem I think eh?

[@Aboutavan]

I’ve not got experience 12-24 but I’ve just installed a 24-12 Orion converter, works perfectly.

[@nizym5963]

That is correct. It will take 12v from your alternator/charging system and boost it to 24 via internal secondary and primary coils. These operate very similar to how Buck-Boost transformers work. A 24-12 Orion is the same thing with the windings tapped differently. Known as bucking.

[@scentybeast9531]

@@nizym5963 Nice one ;-)

[@Dascrane]

can this be used with a blueitti ac200 max ?

[@Aboutavan]

Hey Mickey, I’m not familiar with the Blueitti range, what kind of a vehicle/setup are you trying to use this with?

[@TheDaztheraz]

Presume you could use an isolated version on a normal 12v system, just link the earths or leave one disconnected as will have an earth from somewhere else?

[@Aboutavan]

Yes you could use an isolated as well :-)

[@davidbelwood3683]

Does this work on a fixed alternator

[@Aboutavan]

Are you referring to an alternator that’s not smart? So sorry I’ve only just seen your comment.

[@adamgilham4724]

I'm hearing alot of stories that these chargers are draining starter batteries is this true and is there a way to prevent this from happening? Thanks

[@Aboutavan]

Hi Adam, this isn’t something I’ve had or am aware of at the moment, if you’re worried you could always add an isolator switch between the starter battery and Orion when you’re not going to be using the van for long periods.

[@adamgilham4724]

@@Aboutavan great thank you for your reply appreciate it 👍

[@andrewbrookes654]

Could anyone give me exact dimensions of this?

[@tomengels9808]

Btw: I asked the same question to Victron support but didn‘t get an answer yet.

[@ashtongrist]

Earth my aliminium boat ? I think not!!

[@Aboutavan]

:-) well not everyone has an aluminium boat, in that case you'll want the isolated.