Victron Blue Smart IP22, IP65 & Orion DC-DC Battery Chargers
Victron Energy make two different kinds of battery charger, and picking the wrong one is the most common mistake we see. A Blue Smart charger runs from 230V mains and charges your leisure battery when you are on hook-up or parked at home. An Orion DC-DC charger runs from the vehicle's alternator and charges the leisure battery while you drive — which is what you need if your van has a Euro 6 smart alternator, because a plain split-charge relay will not bring a battery up to a full charge on a modern vehicle.
Within the Blue Smart range the IP22 is the standard unit for a protected position inside the van and the IP65 is sealed and splash-proof for a more exposed one. Both are sized by output current — 10A, 15A, 20A or 30A — and the usual rule of thumb is to allow around 10 per cent of your battery's amp-hour capacity. The Orion-Tr Smart comes in isolated and non-isolated versions: use the isolated one where the two batteries do not share a common negative. The Orion XS is the newer, more compact 50A unit.
Every charger on this page is genuine Victron Energy and sets up over Bluetooth in the VictronConnect app. If you are not sure which suits your vehicle, get in touch with your battery size and the year of the van.
