Installing a 2nd DC-DC Charger -50a Victron Orion-XS- in a Leisure Travel Vans Unity
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Update: This Victron Orion-XS did overheat so I added a fan. see this video for that, • Victron Orion-XS 50a D... . Problem solved 😁.
I decided to add a 2nd DC-DC Charger in parallel with my current 50a Kisae DC-DC charger to expand my Alternator charging when driving. I selected the new Victron Orion-XS because it's new design is small and doesn't get as hot as the 30a Orion-Tr. I was very excited to get it installed so I can test it. Mercedes recommends 80a DC-DC charging to it's Upfitters, but that's a conservative number. Upfitters rule of thumb for Alternator charging is 50% of the Alternator size. Our Leisure Travel Vans Sprinter chassis has a 220a Alternator. The Ford Transit Wonder has a 250a Alternator. I limit the Alternator charging on all my LTV Unity, Serenity, Wonder DC-DC charging to 90a. After installing a number of dual DC-DC chargers, 90a has proven very successful.
My 50a Kisae DC-DC charger puts out nearly 48a without issue, so I'll limit the Victron Orion-XS to 42a to maintain my maximum Alternator charging at 90a. Running the Victron Orion-XS below it's maximum output should keep it happy from an internal temperature perspective. I've done a few installations of the Victron Orion-XS, as a single DC-DC charger, and found it does overheat unless you turn down it's output. So I recommend to folks if they report it's overheating, to reduce it's output to 45a and it does the trick, no more overheating.
Upon my installation of the Orion-XS I turned down my Kisae to 10a and will run the Victron Orion-XS at 50a, so I can monitor it to better under its temperature readings in relation to it's maximum output. I want to identify the output setting that allows it to perform best overall. Victron recommends installing it vertically, but if you do a heat scan on it you see the entire unit gets hot, so orientation doesn't really matter. I install it in such a way so it gets air all around it for maximum cooling effect. Victron also states in the installation manual that some type of forced air cooling, like a fan, maybe required. I make a big ventilation cut out in the top of my seat base cover so my DC-DC chargers can get plenty of ventilation, however if the Victron Orion-XS does overheat, I'd rather turn it's output down a few amps to make it temperature happy than install a separate fan.
Here are the major items I used in this installation:
-Victron Orion-XS, invertersrus.c...
-4 awg cable, www.amazon.com...
-4 awg 1/4" lugs, www.amazon.com...
-4 awg 5/16" lugs, www.amazon.com...
-6 awg cable, www.amazon.com...
-6 awg 1/4" Lugs, www.amazon.com...
-Lug Crimper, www.amazon.com...
-6 awg Ferrules, www.amazon.com...
-Hex Ferrule Crimper, www.amazon.com...
-Cable Cutter, www.amazon.com...
-Heat Shrink, www.amazon.com...
-Step bit set, www.amazon.com...
-Wire Stand, www.amazon.com...
Ill do my second XS install soon :) thank you Sandy for the upload!
Excellent video! I need to fix my system because it is not working properly. When my Sprinter warms up on hot summer days, the alternator starts producing less and less power until it finally stops altogether. I have 900 Ah of lithium batteries connected to a Victron system. Unfortunately, I didn't install the system, and I am not confident enough in my knowledge to know exactly what it has. Everything was installed by the RV upfitter. Hopefully, I can get some information from them so I can make an informed decision on how I want to proceed. I feel like I'm going down a rabbit hole. Every time I think I have things figured out, I hit another obstacle.
You are using 6 awg wire for the Kisae 50a charger and 4 awg for the Victron 50a charger. Is 6 awg adequate for the Victron 50a charger?
@brianthibodaux818 6 awg is adequate. I had another Victron product that was a 90a constant voltage and amperage output device attached to the 4 awg wire. I decided I would rather have a DC-DC charger so I replaced it with the Victron Orion-XS. I used 6 awg on the Orion-XS side of the circuit breakers and attached the 4 awg for the battery connections of the circuit breakers. 6 awg would be easier to pull as new cables for sure.
Can you please tell me what kind of remote switch did you use ?
@@AS-pq3hu I used this one, www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09SCWWSLH?
Why would you need a second DC DC charger?
@@shawnroberts42 More Alternator driver house battery charging when driving.
Will this overload your alternator?
@@shawnroberts42 Not at all. Click on the title of the video to get more information.
Wow, I never knew you wrote such detailed information. This is really great! I’ve been meaning to change the setting on my Stirling DC to DC charger to lithium. In your video you said it wasn’t necessary after installing lithium batteries, but I would like to get more juice from the DC-DC charger while on the road. Some folks have said that would overload the alternator and make it get too hot. What do you think? Thanks again for all your wonderful teaching videos!
@shawnroberts42 You don't need to change the setting on your Sterling to Lithium. The setting LTV selected is very compatible with Lithium batteries. People with Sprinter Vans have been using as much as 100a alternator charging with not effect on the Alternator. I'm not worried about getting 90a from mine.