Manual - Orion XS 12/12-50A DC-DC battery charger 2. General 2.1. Introduction 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, an external engine running signal from the vehicle can be used to force charging on instead. If the starter battery is depleted, the emergency reverse charge function can charge it from the auxiliary battery, temporarily reversing the normal charge direction. 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 [19] chapter and the VictronConnect manual . 2.2. Features 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 Automatic engine shutdown detection [13] chapter and the Setup for Euro 6 vehicles [13] section for more information. Separation of the starter battery and the auxiliary battery The Orion XS separates the starter battery from the auxiliary battery.
Emergency reverse charge If the starter battery is depleted, the emergency reverse charge function can charge it from the auxiliary battery, temporarily reversing the normal charge direction. The function is started with the VictronConnect App: the Orion XS reverse charges the starter battery for 15 minutes, followed by a 5-minute settling period during which the engine can be started. The auxiliary battery is protected against deep discharge at all times. See the Emergency reverse charge [15] section for more information.
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. Protected against overload Protected against short circuit Protected against excessive temperatures Adaptive charging in four stages The Orion XS is configured by default for a four-stage charging process. Bulk — Absorption — Float — Storage Page 2 General