question

jverret avatar image
jverret asked

How will the Orion Smart DC-DC charger function with an alternator that has a lower amperage rating than the Orion?

For example, a 12/12-30 with a 25amp alternator.

orion-tr smart
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2 Answers
Justin Cook avatar image
Justin Cook answered ·

@JVerret, to avoid causing potential damage to your alternator by overloading it, I recommend sizing the Orion-Tr Smart according to your alternator capacity; if you have a 25A alternator, I would suggest the 12/12-18 rather than the 12/12-30.

It's important to note that these units are rated by delivery current rather than pull current, so the 12/12-30 is designed to deliver up to 30A of charge current to your auxiliary bank - this means that it can pull more than that from your start battery and, through the start battery, from your alternator, so you should certainly take care to size your device appropriately.

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wkirby avatar image
wkirby answered ·

Make sure not to place more load on the output of the Orion that would cause it to overload the alternator.

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