question

remibggx avatar image
remibggx asked

Is the Orion TR Smart 12/12 30A Non Isolated actually that smart?

Hi There,


I am reaching out to the crowd and to Victron's team here.

I am reaching out because I noticed that my Orion TR Smart 12/12 30A Non Isolated tends to put itself in Absorption mode even though the battery is charged to more or less 50%. Because of this, I struggle charging my battery to more than 70-75%. Not only, this should not happen, but I really need those additional 30%.


I have the following installation:

  • Orion TR Smart 12/12 30A Non Isolated
  • BMV 712
  • Victron Lithium LifePo4 160A


Until I had the BMV 712, the charger was almost never in absorption mode and struggled to charge the battery fully.

Then I purchased the BMV 712 to better understand the state of my battery. It does the job well after setting it up properly.


Then my set-up started working properly, charging in Bulk and then Absoprtion and then Float, as it should.


However, for some time now, about 2 weeks I'd say. The Charger started charging in Absorption mode, almost right after the engine starts and even when the battery level requires bulk charging.

I know that this is a problem known to Victron as I saw other similar posts on the topic.


But I am still wondering if a solution was found or if anyone would know what I am doing wrong.


Thanks for your support.


Below are some of the screenshots from the Victron app.

screenshot-20230307-083359.jpg

screenshot-20230306-141436.jpg

screenshot-20230306-141309.jpg

screenshot-20230306-141302.jpg

battery chargingBMV Battery Monitororion-tr smart
screenshot-20230307-083359.jpg (488.9 KiB)
screenshot-20230306-141436.jpg (429.5 KiB)
screenshot-20230306-141309.jpg (361.8 KiB)
screenshot-20230306-141302.jpg (333.0 KiB)
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klim8skeptic avatar image klim8skeptic ♦ commented ·
@Remibggx It would seem that you have a voltage drop of 0.36v between the Orion and the battery.

It might be good to investigate the reason for such a large voltage drop.

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remibggx avatar image remibggx klim8skeptic ♦ commented ·
I don't think this is really an issue. I would assume that it is a measurement accuracy related observation to be honest.


The output votage is higher than the voltage as the charger is sending more energy to the battery to charge it.


This does not worry me much.

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klim8skeptic avatar image klim8skeptic ♦ remibggx commented ·

@Remibggx This does not worry me much.

If you are getting 0.36v voltage drop at 16a charge current, I would expect about 0.7v drop at 30a charge current.

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2 Answers
remibggx avatar image
remibggx answered ·

No it doesn't do it actually. I am not sure how would this help me in solving my problem. This is more a charger detection of the battery state as opposed to voltage issue. At I am guessing.

Actually, when the battery is 100%, it is at 14.2V. As it is filling in, then it needs to reach this level.

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Matthias Lange - DE avatar image Matthias Lange - DE ♦ commented ·
If the Orion sees 14.2V at it's output it thinks the battery is full and will switch to absorption.

The voltage drop IS your problem.

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remibggx avatar image remibggx Matthias Lange - DE ♦ commented ·
Alright, said like this, it makes more sense. I will explore the issue. But, if anyone has an idea, thanks for your help :)
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kevgermany avatar image kevgermany ♦♦ remibggx commented ·

Check things like connection tightness/cleanliness, fuse resistance and cleanliness. Wire thickness, especially on long cable runs.

What's also interesting is that the input voltage to the Orion is low, there may be a restriction on the input side as well

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remibggx avatar image
remibggx answered ·

My battery is located on the back of the motorhome and the engine battery in the front. I drew a 5m long cable to connect them, in 16mm2 if I remember well as recommended by Victron.


Maybe I need something bigger.

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kevgermany avatar image kevgermany ♦♦ commented ·
If the Orion is close to the battery you're charging, the voltage drop on the input side of the Orion will be compensated by the Orion.
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klim8skeptic avatar image klim8skeptic ♦ commented ·

@Remibggx I drew a 5m long cable to connect them, in 16mm2 if I remember well as recommended by Victron.

You forgot to mention where the Orion is located? Next to the start battery? Or better still next to the house battery being charged?

Do you still have the Cyrix-Li Charge in place?

You have to keep an eye on voltage drops...

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