The Victron Blue Smart IP65 12/5 is a single-output 5A battery charger for 12V lead-acid and lithium batteries. It fits a standard UK BS 1363 socket and is built to IP65, so it copes with damp or dusty conditions where a standard IP20 charger would not.

Key features

• IP65-rated enclosure, protected against dust ingress and low-pressure water jets, suited to workshop, garage or outdoor-sheltered use.
• Bluetooth built-in, monitor and configure via the VictronConnect app on iOS or Android with no extra hardware.
• Multiple battery chemistries, supports AGM, Gel, flooded lead-acid and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries.
• Adaptive 7-stage charging, adjusts the charge profile automatically through bulk, absorption, float and storage modes.
• Storage mode, lowers voltage to reduce degradation during long-term storage, with a monthly reconditioning cycle.
• Single 5A output, suited to 12V batteries in motorcycles, leisure vehicles, boats and backup systems.

Victron blue smart charger operation

Once connected, the charger reads the battery state and picks the right charge phase. Absorption time varies with how deeply the battery was discharged, avoiding the over- or under-charging that fixed-time chargers can cause. The VictronConnect app gives real-time voltage and current readings and lets you pick a battery preset or build a custom profile, useful when the charger sits somewhere awkward to inspect, like a locker or under a seat.

Applications

• Motorcycle, scooter and ATV battery maintenance and charging.
• Leisure battery top-up in caravans, campervans and motorhomes.
• Marine auxiliary battery charging on small boats and RIBs.
• Long-term storage charging for seasonal vehicles and equipment.
• Backup battery systems in small off-grid or UPS applications.

What's in the box

• Victron Blue Smart IP65 12/5 charger with integrated UK BS 1363 mains plug.
• DC output lead with ring terminals and crocodile clips.

Installation notes

Runs from a standard 230V UK mains socket with no specialist electrical work needed. Match the battery voltage and chemistry to the correct charge profile before use, and select the lithium preset in VictronConnect for LiFePO4 batteries, since charge voltages differ from lead-acid. The IP65 rating tolerates splashing, condensation and dust, but the charger should not be submerged or left in continuously wet environments. For permanent wiring into a larger system, use a qualified electrician or accredited installer.