Victron Orion Non Isolated vs Isolated DC-DC charger 

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. :)

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

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.

Thanks for this mate. Still helpful 3 years on. Good on ya.

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😄😄

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

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

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

Why do your prefer common ground over floating?

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.

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.'

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.

Very helpful thank you from the US

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

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.

I need this, but 120 | 12 - 30. I have a WFCO in our RV that is terrible. I'd love to take the breaker panel apart, yank the converter in there and shove this in its place but I need 120volts for shore power.

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

Brilliant video and really well explained for us novices

EXPLAINED VERY WELL.

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

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

Fantastic video, very very helpful.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

seems very knowledgeable, now following

Can I use a Victron trickle charger with this for when my truck is home and not being driven?

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?

Hi I have 2 systems in my van , a 100 ah n a 230, could I use one of these to charge both batteries? Thanks

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

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?

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

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.

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

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?

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

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

Can this be used with a van that’s not got a smart alternator.? Thank you.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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!

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?

Great info, cheers dude.

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

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

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

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 🤔

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?

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?

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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 😄😄

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

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

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

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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?

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 :)

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

can this be used with a blueitti ac200 max ?

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!!!

Good Stuff

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

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?

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?

We're can I buy one from pllease

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?

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?

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 :)

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

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

Very helpful, thnx

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 ???

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!

Got 0rion trsmart want connect to phone

Victron says NO ferrules!. You lose contact area of the wires.

Does this work on a fixed alternator

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

Could anyone give me exact dimensions of this?