DC-DC 30 amp charger cable

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

As for the charger I had been under the impression that the Orion-TR Smart 12 12/30 would limit the input current to 30 amps. Apparently this is not true. However the Orion XS 50 allows control of both input and output currents. Thus achieving one of my goals of protecting the alternator from excessive draws.

I will add a little more context to 01Tundra's post. Early models of the Orion TR Smart were known to exceed rated output as long as they were not running too hot. Unfortunately, they were also known to run excessively hot. Here is a long thread from Victron's archived Community board that details these issues:

Orion DC-DC Overheating

I've also included a screen shot below with the relevant answer from Victron.

I have one of those earlier Orion TR Smart 12/12-30 models - purchased in 2020. I have seen it produce 38a at times as shown by the BMV-712 screenshot. This is with 2 awg on the truck side. Given it's propensity to run hot I have kept mine installed in a separate ventilated box that includes a thermally controlled cooling fan. It has always performed well in my installation but if I were going to replace it I would go with the XS as 01Tundra recommended.

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

I will add a little more context to 01Tundra's post. Early models of the Orion TR Smart were known to exceed rated output as long as they were not running too hot. Unfortunately, they were also known to run excessively hot. Here is a long thread from Victron's archived Community board that details these issues:

Orion DC-DC Overheating

I've also included a screen shot below with the relevant answer from Victron.

I have one of those earlier Orion TR Smart 12/12-30 models - purchased in 2020. I have seen it produce 38a at times as shown by the BMV-712 screenshot. This is with 2 awg on the truck side. Given it's propensity to run hot I have kept mine installed in a separate ventilated box that includes a thermally controlled cooling fan. It has always performed well in my installation but if I were going to replace it I would go with the XS as 01Tundra recommended.

Yep, my first Orion was a 12/12-18 that I was seeing 25A output from it at times. Spoke to Victron and they stated that at the time they were underrating those smaller chargers. But that thing would get so hot you couldn't touch it.