Victron Orion Non Isolated vs Isolated DC-DC charger

Victron Energy TR smart 12-12/30 battery to battery or dc to dc charger

In this video I am explaining the difference between an isolated charger and non isolated Victron Orion TR smart, I hope this helps you with your battery to battery install and helps you determine which one is better for your build.

[davesmith]

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. :)

[DH-nbey]

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

Thanks

[iancormack]

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.

[kakapokampas]

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😄😄

[bigchiefbear]

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.'

[betterwithrum]

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.

[blake]

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

[meeder]

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.

[tomaskey]

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.

[wobby]

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.

[markbergman]

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

[Angelo-turj]

Many Thanks for the helpful video. One doubt. Currently my motorhome has the services battery with the ground not connected to the chassis. I would like to purchase Victron Orion 12-12/30 non-isolated for a purely economic issue. I have been thinking of also connecting the negative terminal of the services battery with a properly sized cable to the chassis ground. Do you see any counter-information in doing this? Thank you very much AC

[RichardsonSP]

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

[terryatkins]

Why do your prefer common ground over floating?

[julianr]

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

[TheJDWay]

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

[peterhughes]

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

[whitewolfdj]

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.

[garymiller]

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.

[Graybeard_]

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.