The Victron Orion XS 12/12-70A is a non-isolated DC-DC battery charger that charges a 12V service or leisure battery from a 12V alternator or starter battery. It suits professional vehicle, marine and off-grid installations that need a dedicated, controlled charge source for a secondary battery bank.

Key features of the Orion XS 12/12-70A dc-dc battery charger

• Output current, 70A, suited to large lithium or AGM service battery banks.
• Topology, non-isolated, for direct integration into 12V to 12V systems without galvanic separation.
• Battery compatibility, lithium (LiFePO4), AGM, gel and flooded lead-acid on the output side.
• Alternator protection, regulates input current draw to reduce the risk of alternator overload.
• Weight, 0.379 kg.
• Monitoring, part of the Orion XS range, configurable via the VictronConnect app over Bluetooth.
• Protection, IP20, for dry indoor installation only.
• Emergency start, firmware v1.15 can charge a flat starter battery from the auxiliary battery at up to 35A. How the Orion XS emergency reverse charge works

Product overview

The unit takes power from the vehicle's starter battery circuit and delivers a controlled, algorithm-driven charge to a secondary battery. Rather than acting as a simple voltage-sensitive relay, it applies a multi-stage charge profile, which matters when charging lithium batteries that need precise voltage and current management. At 70A output it can meaningfully charge large battery banks during normal driving cycles.

Input and output share a common ground, appropriate for most single-vehicle installations. Where galvanic isolation is required, such as certain marine applications or dual-battery systems with separate chassis grounds, an isolated variant should be chosen instead. Confirm the grounding arrangement before specifying this unit.

VictronConnect lets you select the charge algorithm and set input voltage thresholds wirelessly, removing the need for DIP switches or manual wiring changes during commissioning and simplifying fault-finding in the field.

Applications

• Charging a 12V lithium or lead-acid leisure battery from a vehicle alternator in campervans and motorhomes.
• Secondary battery charging in commercial vehicles, emergency service vehicles and specialist conversions.
• Marine dual-battery systems where the engine start battery feeds a separate house bank (non-isolated installations).
• Off-grid mobile installations needing regulated battery charging from a running engine.
• Truck and HGV auxiliary battery systems where high charge current is needed to recover large battery banks quickly.

What's in the box

• Victron Orion XS 12/12-70A DC-DC battery charger unit

Installation notes

Unlike the IP65 Orion XS 12/12-50A and 1400, the 70A is rated IP20 and is for dry indoor installation only. Mount it inside the living area, a locker or a cabinet, never in an engine bay, under the chassis or on an open deck. Fit by a qualified auto-electrician or electrical installer experienced with DC vehicle or marine systems. The non-isolated design requires a shared common ground between input and output circuits, and cable sizing and fusing at both ends must match the 70A output rating. For lithium installations, confirm the battery's BMS is compatible with the Orion XS charge profile. Configuration via VictronConnect needs a Bluetooth-enabled device. This is not for grid-connected use.