Victron Orion-TR DC-DC Configuration for a Toyota HiAce LH100
Modern Technology in an Ageing Relic
I’ll admit to being a bit of a Victron fanboy but the Orion-TR DC-DC charger has been vexing me a little. The alternator on the HiAce LH100 is not all that powerful by modern standards (maximum output around 65 amps at 13.8 volts), so I opted for the smallest of the range, the 18 amp 12V|12V-18A Isolated to not overload the ageing electrical system.
It’s Not Working!
In the depths of winter we use around 35 amp hours a day (420 watt hours), so around 2 hours of driving at 18 amps should replenish that. We were only seeing a maximum of about 7 amps. I assumed it was a wiring issue, maybe high resistance in some of the old wiring.
It’s Working!
It turned out to be the configuration. Most modern alternators are working at around 14.2V. I’d already updated the start voltage configuration to take account for the HiAce’s lower 13.8v output, but the this left the remaining default configuration for the shutdown voltage too close to the start voltage and this causes the charger to reduce the charge current. Reducing the values for the shutdown voltage to 12.9v solves the problem. The delayed start voltage has also been reduced, from 13.7v to 13.5v.
We’re now seeing the expected charging rates now with no obvious impact on the state of the cranking battery.
Long term monitoring will be required to determine what impact there is on the health of the alternator and cranking battery from the increased load.
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