Manual - Orion XS 12/12-50A DC-DC battery charger

The Orion XS can be used as a battery charger or as a power supply with a wide input and output voltage range.

In charger mode, the four-stage charge algorithm will increase battery life by properly charging the battery.

Especially in the case of vehicles with a Euro 5 or 6 smart alternator, which often supplies charging voltage that is too low even with the engine running or in the event of a voltage drop over long cables, controlled charging is crucial.

Controlled charging also protects the alternator in lithium systems from overloading, as the low impedance of lithium batteries results in a high alternator current.

In power supply mode, the output voltage remains stable regardless of the applied load or fluctuating input voltage (within the specified range).

The output voltage is fully adjustable and remains independent of the input voltage, thanks to the automatic buck-boost control. This control also guarantees that the current will never exceed the set value, even when the input voltage is higher than the output voltage.

The Orion XS can be set only to supply power when the engine is running. This is possible thanks to the integrated engine shutdown detection. This eliminates the need to adjust in-vehicle wiring or add an engine detection sensor to determine if charging can start. It also prevents the voltage on board the vehicle from getting too low. In addition to this detection, the Orion XS can also be forced on via the remote on/off port.

The Orion XS is fully programmed and monitored using the VictronConnect App. This also includes remote access via VictronConnect-Remote (VC-R) when connected to a GX device (requires a GX device connection to the VRM Portal) via the integrated VE.Direct port, monitoring via the GX Remote Console or from a PC, Apple computer with macOS or Android device in conjunction with a VE.Direct to USB interface and VictronConnect. Discover all setting and monitoring options in the Setup & monitoring with VictronConnect chapter and the VictronConnect manual.

Smart alternator compatibility

It is common for vehicle manufacturers to install "smart" ECU (Engine Control Unit) controlled alternators to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Smart alternators provide variable output voltage and shut down when not needed. The Orion XS has an integrated mechanism that detects whether the engine is running (engine shutdown detection), so the charger is only activated when the alternator is supplying power. This ensures that the charger only draws power when the alternator supplies power. Please refer to the Engine shutdown detection chapter and the Setup for Euro 6 vehicles section for more information.

Separation of the starter battery and the service battery

The Orion XS separates the starter battery from the service battery.

Comprehensive electronic protection

The charger is protected against overtemperature (heat sink >90 °C) by reducing the output power when the maximum product temperature is reached.

Adaptive charging in four stages

The Orion XS is configured by default for a four-stage charging process.

Flexible charge algorithm

The Orion XS has fully programmable charge algorithms and eight pre-programmed battery settings. Configurable with VictronConnect.

Adaptive Absorption Time

In adaptive absorption time mode, the correct absorption time is calculated automatically. Configurable with VictronConnect.

Repeated Absorption

To refresh the battery and prevent slow self-discharge while in storage stage over an extended period, a 1-hour absorption charge will automatically occur every 7 days (or as configured).

Temperature-compensated charging

The optimum charge voltage of a lead-acid battery is inversely proportional to temperature. The Orion XS measures the ambient temperature at the start of the charging phase and compensates for the temperature during charging. The temperature is measured again when the battery charger is in low current mode during absorption or storage. Special settings for a cold or warm environment are therefore not required.

Adjustable charge current

The charge current is adjustable with a minimum step size of 0.1A. Configurable with VictronConnect.

Low-temperature shutdown

Prevents damage to lithium batteries by turning off the charger at low temperatures. Configurable with VictronConnect.

Input voltage lock-out

Shut down the charger when the input voltage falls below the lock-out value and restart when the input voltage rises above the restart value. Configurable with VictronConnect.

Remote On/Off

The inverter can be switched on and off remotely via the remote on/off connector or the VictronConnect App. Typical applications include a wired switch or a lithium battery with a Battery Management System (BMS) that has an ATC (allowed to charge) output.

DVCC controlled

The Orion XS can be DVCC controlled via a GX device, provided it is connected to the GX device via the VE.Direct port and the Orion is switched to charger mode (there is no DVCC control when the Orion XS is in power supply mode). Charging currents and voltages are then set automatically; thus, the internal bulk, absorption, and float algorithms are no longer used. Charging or discharging are stopped at low or high cell voltage or low temperature.

For more details about DVCC, please see the GX device manual.

Monitoring locally via a GX device as well as remotely on the VRM Portal

Monitor and control (on/off) the Orion XS via a wired VE.Direct connection from a GX device such as the Cerbo GX, Ekrano GX, or use a PC, Apple computer (requires macOS), or Android device in conjunction with VictronConnect.

If the Orion XS is connected to a GX device with internet access, you can also monitor the Orion XS remotely via the VRM portal. Predefined widgets with all the necessary parameters are already available in the VRM portal. You can also create your own customised widgets.

Configuration and monitoring via VictronConnect App and Bluetooth

Built-in Bluetooth Smart: the wireless solution to change settings, monitor activities and update software using Apple and Android smartphones, tablets or other devices. Various parameters can be adjusted and monitored with the VictronConnect App.

This also includes Instant Readout, which displays the most important data of the Orion XS (and other smart products) on the Device list page without the need to connect to the product. This includes visual notifications of warnings, alarms, and errors that enable diagnostics at a glance.

VictronConnect is available for Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. See the VictronConnect manual to get the most out of the VictronConnect app when connected to a Victron smart product.

Remote voltage-, temperature and/or current sensing via VE.Smart Networking

Use VE.Smart Networking to receive Vsense, Tsense and Isense data over the wireless network for your Orion XS DC-DC battery charger, for example, from a BMV, a SmartShunt, or a Smart Battery Sense¹). The charger uses the available information from the battery to optimise the charging parameters. This improves charging efficiency and extends battery life. For more information, please see Remote sensing with VE.Smart Networking and the VE.Smart Networking manual which can be downloaded from the VictronConnect download section. Please note that the Orion XS does not support synchronised charging.

¹⁾ The Smart Battery Sense does not support Isense.

Waterproof

The Orion XS complies with ingress protection rating IP65; this means the product is dust-tight and protected against heavy rain.

Silent

The heat is dissipated through natural convection, eliminating the need for a noisy cooling fan.