40 replies to this topic

[Vic Harder]

+1 on the lousy bluetooth range with the DCDC.  The other Victron units work from 50' away, the DCDC won't even reach the cab of the truck.  

[buckland]

+1 same here... I have to hold the phone and put it into the back seat (3 ft from the unit) to get a a link

[nikonron]

I know it's likely a silly question but what happens if my solar is on the input side of the Orion DC-DC charger so that it would also keep my truck battery topped off?  One problem I see is the MPPT would be set to either AGM profile or Lithium. Ron 

Edited by nikonron, 30 January 2022 - 03:24 PM.

[Vic Harder]

I know it's likely a silly question but what happens if my solar is on the input side of the Orion DC-DC charger so that it would also keep my truck battery topped off?  One problem I see is the MPPT would be set to either AGM profile or Lithium. Ron 

Are you suggesting that the raw output of the solar panels go to your truck batteries?  Not good.

If you are suggesting feeding the output of the MPPT into the DCDC and from there into the truck batteries, the MPPT would be awfully confused, not knowing what to make of the input side of the DCDC.

 

I battery switch or switch and relay to flip inputs would be better.  I tried creating a really complex system last winter and gave up.  I think a simple battery switch in parallel with the DCDC would enable you to bypass the DCDC when desired.  The downside of that is a simple switch (vs including an ACR/Isolator) would mean it either system could drain the other.  

 

If you still have an isolator, you could wire the bypass to include the isolator, essentially going back to how your system worked before the DCDC was installed.

[buckland]

Just to say … I wish I had your electric knowledge of these things
I am basically always on the line of confused and understanding… so great to read these threads picking up bits that build the bigger picture
Thanks Vic

[nikonron]

I suppose the Victron is way too smart, I'll just wire it up as per Victron specs.

Edited by nikonron, 31 January 2022 - 08:21 AM.

[nikonron]

What's going to happen if I should connect a battery charger to the starter battery while the truck is sitting in my shop? Should I disconnect the Victron DC-DC charger via my resettable breaker?

[Jon R]

It won’t hurt anything, but the Orion may see the higher charging voltage as a running engine and attempt to charge the lithium battery, discharging your truck battery some until the charger catches it up. Another user discussed this a few months ago (Phil maybe?) and I think he decided to open his breaker when charging the truck battery.

[nikonron]

Well, if it doesn't hurt anything it'd be good to get the Lithium topped off too.

[Jon R]

Well, if it doesn't hurt anything it'd be good to get the Lithium topped off too.

Except if you are charging the truck during extended storage. Most battery companies recommend you store lithium batteries in a partially charged state. In that case you may want to disconnect the camper if you are charging the truck.