Orion XS and (non smart) 12v/200 BMS

DIY
, ,
1

I currently have a system that consists of three Victron 12.8V lithium smart batteries and a Victron (not smart) BMS 12V/200A in my Sprinter van conversion. The issue I’m experiencing is that my 2021 Mercedes Sprinter has a smart alternator that doesn’t produce enough voltage to continuously charge my house batteries while driving. After looking into this, I decided to purchase a Victron Orion XS 12V/12V - 50A DC/DC battery charger. I was planning to uninstall the Victron BMS and install the Orion XS in its place.

I came up with a plan to swap them, only to remember that my Victron batteries have cell balancing/monitoring cables that must be hooked up to a Victron BMS.

Since my BMS works via the negative terminal of my house/starter battery and my new Orion XS works on the positive, would there be any issues if the BMS switches on my negative terminal and the Orion XS switches on the positive terminal?

Or is upgrading to Victron’s Smart BMS 12V/200A, which now switches on the positive terminal, my only option?

2

@patrickpalmtier if the existing system works apart from the voltage from the alternator being too low, then the Orion XS may be a good solution. In my view you do not need to swap out the BMS 12V/200A if it is operating ok. Both the BMS and the Orion can work together without a problem.