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jeffk asked

Orion Smart 12/12-18 on automobile 15A circuit? Alternatives?

I am trying to use an Orion Smart 12/12-18 charger to charge lithium batteries on my travel trailer through the 7-pin charging pin. However, I found out our 2017 Audi Q7 the pin is fused to 15A, so the Orion blows the 15A fuse (I tried a 20A and it does not blow). I like the lithium profile feature and VE.Networking with the Orion and would like to keep it. I thought of placing a 12|12 15A voltage regulator ahead of it. Would that work? Is there another solution?

As a less desirable alternative I could use the Orion 12|12-9 non-smart charger but it does not have a lithium profile. Could I use it in conjunction with a Victron 100|30 MPPT solar controller and wire it in parallel with the rooftop solar panels?

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Bob K avatar image Bob K commented ·
That's a lot of extra money and equipment configuration. May I ask why you don't want to run a proper 6 AWG wire from the Q7 battery back to the Orion in your trailer?
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jeffk avatar image jeffk Bob K commented ·

That's possible but not straightforward. I wanted to avoid trying to figure out a connection point and running wire. The battery sits under the driver's seat and not sure where to route the wire, not to mention adding a connector. I've asked this question in various Q7 groups but it's not a very common tow vehicle and I don't think anyone has attempted it.

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