Victron Energy Orion-Tr Smart Isolated DC-DC Charger, Built-In Bluetooth, 3-Stage Charging

Overview

The Victron Energy Orion-Tr Smart is an isolated DC-DC charger for 12V and 24V boat systems, using a bulk, absorption, and float charge profile with built-in Bluetooth setup and monitoring. It is made for charging a service battery from a starter battery or alternator source, which is a common setup on cruising boats, fishing boats, workboats, and sailboats with separate house and engine-start banks.

This isolated version lets the input and output sides use separate chassis grounds. That matters on vessels where DC grounding is planned carefully, where a service bank is separated from the engine-start circuit, or where an installer wants tighter control over how negative returns are tied together.

The range includes 12V to 12V, 12V to 24V, 24V to 12V, and 24V to 24V configurations, with output currents from 15A to 30A depending on the model. It supports lead-acid and lithium batteries, can be configured through VictronConnect, and can also operate as a DC power supply with a fixed output voltage.

Key features

• Adaptive 3-stage charging with bulk, absorption, and float stages for service batteries fed from a starter battery or alternator circuit.
• Built-in Bluetooth works with VictronConnect for setup, live monitoring, warnings, alarms, and firmware updates without direct access to front-panel controls.
• Isolated construction allows separate chassis grounds on the input and output sides, useful where DC grounding must stay separated.
• Compatible with lead-acid and lithium batteries, with charge settings that can be configured through the app.
• Engine running detection and a remote on/off connection help prevent discharge of the starter battery when the engine is off.
• Screw-terminal DC connections accept cable up to 16 mm2 or AWG 6, with no special tool needed at the charger terminals.
• Protection category is IP43 for the electronic components and IP22 for the connection area when installed with the screw terminals facing downward.
• Full rated output is available up to 40°C, with operation supported from -20°C to +55°C and temperature derating above 40°C.
• Multiple units can be connected in parallel to increase output current when the electrical installation is planned for the added load.

Variants

The Orion-Tr Smart isolated charger is offered here in four voltage and current configurations for different input battery and output battery arrangements.

The variant choice changes the input voltage, output voltage, output current, and power rating. The charging platform, isolated ground layout, Bluetooth configuration, remote on/off connection, engine running detection, screw-terminal DC connections, and IP43/IP22 protection category remain consistent across these configurations.

• ORI122436120: 12V input to 24V output, 15A current, 360W rating. This version matches a 12V starter or alternator side charging a 24V auxiliary bank, with an 8-17V input range and a 20-30V adjustable output range.
• ORI241236120: 24V input to 12V output, 30A current, 360W rating. This version matches a 24V starter or alternator side feeding a 12V service battery, electronics bank, or other 12V auxiliary load bank.
• ORI121236120: 12V input to 12V output, 30A current, 360W rating. This version fits common 12V boat charging layouts where the engine-start side and service side are both 12V but still need controlled battery-to-battery charging.
• ORI242440120: 24V input to 24V output, 17A current, 400W rating. This version suits 24V vessel systems that need a controlled charge path between separate 24V battery banks.

Installation and setup

Mount the charger where airflow can reach the cooling fins and where the terminals can face downward for the stated protection category. On a boat, that usually means a protected electrical space near the DC distribution and battery cabling, not an exposed deck, splash-prone locker, or wet bilge area.

Use cable sizing, fusing, and overcurrent protection matched to the selected model and the length of the run. The unit uses screw terminals, and the maximum cable cross-section is 16 mm2 or AWG 6.

Electrical and system integration

Output voltage can be adjusted through Bluetooth, so the charger can be set up around the selected battery type and vessel voltage system. The same output control also lets the unit work as a DC power supply when a fixed DC output is required.

The engine running detection feature is useful on alternator-fed installations because it stops charging activity when the engine is not running. A remote on/off switch or relay contact can also be connected, which gives the installer another way to control charging from a switch panel, ignition circuit, or system control layout.

Use on board

This charger range is a good match for boats that need controlled alternator charging for a separate service battery bank. It is especially useful where the owner wants Bluetooth-based setup and monitoring, battery chemistry flexibility, and electrical isolation between the input and output sides.