Victron Orion XS 12/12-50A DC-DC Battery Charger – ORI121217040

Engineered from the ground up, the Orion XS is Victron Energy’s highly anticipated next generation DC-DC charger that redefines charging on the move for dual battery systems with a smart alternator. With huge improvements over the previous Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC charger, this device not only ensures the latest in battery charging performance, but its host of protection features also guarantees the safety of your system.

The output charge current can be set by the user and innovative cooling technology provides a 98% efficiency without the need for a fan or heatsink, enabling a lightweight and compact, but powerful charging unit. Victron’s adaptive 4-stage charging algorithm alters the absorption time to suit the depth of discharge to prevent over-charging, and the user can select from 8 pre-programmed charging algorithms or create a fully customisable algorithm to match the battery manufacturer’s charging requirements

The Orion XS is IP65 protected and will produce the full rated output of 50A up to 40°C. Multiple units can be connected in parallel to increase charge output, and it can be used in fixed-voltage power supply mode with a user-configurable output of 10-17V.

The unit is fully configurable via Bluetooth using the VictronConnect app, and features a VE.Direct port for remote monitoring and control capabilities via a GX device, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with the rest of your Victron system.

Features

• ‘Smart’ or standard alternator compatible
• Separation of starter and auxiliary batteries
• Adjustable charging current
• Engine shutdown detection
• Bluetooth smart enabled
• Adaptive 4-stage charge algorithm
• Fully programmable battery charging profile
• Suitable for all battery types (inc. lithium)
• Automatic temperature compensated charging
• Comprehensive electronic protection
• Can be wired in parallel to increase charge current
• Power supply mode (user-defined fixed output voltage)
• Remote on/off
• VE.Direct port
• IP65 waterproof protection

See below for a full description of improvements over the Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC chargers:

Increased power with user-selectable charge current

The Orion XS can deliver 50A of charge current (700W), providing faster charging and making better use of more powerful modern alternators. But the real innovation here is that Victron has provided the ability for the user to set the charge current to meet their requirements (in increments of 0.1A). This is a huge advantage for users wanting to future-proof their charging system if, for example, they one-day plan to add a second battery in parallel, change to a lithium battery (that can accept a higher charge current) or upgrade their alternator. They can run the charger at a lower output initially, and release its full potential later on.

Higher efficiency with much lower heat generation

One of the issues with the Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC chargers was that they generated a lot of heat. Victron has re-designed the electronics in the Orion XS to use an innovative aluminium circuit board cooling technology that provides a staggering 98% efficiency (up from 87% in the Orion-Tr Smart), massively reducing heat generation and making better use of the alternator’s output.

Significant size and weight reduction

Due its high efficiency and low heat output, the Orion XS can dispense with a bulky heatsink which means it is smaller and lighter than the Orion-Tr Smart – in fact, it is an amazing 5x lighter at only 0.33kg, and half the height at only 40mm!

VE.Direct port

In addition to connection over Bluetooth via the VictronConnect app, the Orion XS has a VE.Direct port for connection to a GX device (e.g. Cerbo GX, Ekrano GX), enabling local or remote monitoring, configuration, and control of your charger and integrating it with the rest of your Victron system. When connected to a GX device, Orion XS chargers that are are run in parallel can communicate to synchronise their charging stages for more efficient charging.

Larger cable terminals

The DC cable terminal block now accepts cable up to up to 25mm² cross section and features a cable clamp to provide strain relief.

IP65 waterproof

The unit is designed to provide an improved degree of environmental protection, and is fully dust-tight and able to withstand heavy rain (when installed with the terminals pointing downwards).

Further information

Important: Please ensure that your alternator is capable of providing sufficient charge output so that it is not over-worked (which may lead to premature failure). We recommend that your alternator has at least double the output current of the attached DC-DC charger, so a 100A+ alternator is recommended if running the Orion XS at its full 50A output.

• Input voltage range: 9-17 V
• Output voltage adjustment range: 10-17V
• Output voltage tolerance: +/-0.25% (max)
• Output voltage noise: 10mV rms
• Input & output current setting range: 1-50A
• Maximum constant short-circuit current: 50A
• Continuous output power at 40ºC: 700W
• Maximum efficiency: 98.5%
• No load current consumption: <100mA
• Standby current consumption: <1.5mA
• Bluetooth Smart: Yes
• VE.Direct: Yes
• Operating temperature range: -20 to +60ºC (derating 1.5% per °C above 40°C)
• Humidity: Max. 95% non-condensing
• DC cable connections: Screw terminals
• Max. cable cross-section: 25mm² (3 AWG)
• Weight: 0.33kg
• Dimensions: 137.3 (H) x 123.1 (W) x 40 (D) mm
• Ingress Protection rating: IP65
• Warranty: 5 years