Hi.
I just updated my Orion XS to the latest Firmware v1.07 few days ago.
Yesterday we were on the road and the charging booster was active. Suddenly a constant clicking noise was heard, like a relais which is constantly switching on and off!
After I stopped and looked, it was clear that it seemed to be coming from the Orion XS. So I turned off the engine and after a short time the clicking was gone!?
So I deactivated the booster using the software switch and the noise didn’t come back.
So now the question is, is there a relay built into the device and how can this happen? Is it defective? No error was displayed or logged.
The booster was in float state, so it was no longer charging.
I encountered the same noise after the Update . Please check the cables and the fuse. Do you have the Orion connected to a Cerbo?
Then there should be an error message, i.o „Short circuit“
Any resolution? I also have this issue - and it’s got worse…
I updated to 1.07 via VRM yesterday. I was initially getting the clicking yesterday (about 1 click per second) when the batteries got to full. I was also getting the “#161 - Short circuit detected” error on my GX.
Today - it was clicking again when the battery got full - so I downgraded to 1.06 using the iOS app. Now it constantly says “#28 Charger power stage issue” which comes up then clears itself every few seconds. I’ve now had to disable the charger to stop it.
I haven’t yet disconnected/reconnected all cables as suggested by the Orion XS manual. That’s the next step to see if I can get it working again…
Bit worried this firmware update might be a problem…
have You checked the cables? I have the strange feeling, that an over-Power occured after the Update to 1.07. It blew the fuse on my installation and damaged the cables.
I already wrote a post on the german Board and learned, that another boat-owner damaged two of the Orion XS.
Best regards
Michael
Hi Michael
No blown fuses and pretty heavy cable to mine, so no cable damage. Bit worried it’s damaged the internals of my Orion XS instead. Going to completely remove it and test tomorrow.
Kind regards
Elliot
Hello Michael,
Thanks for the answer. I can rule out the cable and fuse. After deactivating the booster, I switched it on again briefly and it went into bulk charge without any problems.
So the fuse is OK. Cables are 16qmm and max. 1.5m long, properly wired.
No error has been logged in either the Orion or the Cerbo.
(btw, the booster was deactivated during the update)
Since I’m not alone, it sounds like the problem is caused by the update?!
I’m curious if Victron (@guystewart) has any ideas on this…
Curiosity got the better of me - so I just went ahead and disconnected the unit to test it.
Glad I did, as first thing I noticed after removing both fuses and testing they were OK, was the unit was so hot I couldn’t touch the back of it when I went to disconnect the VE Direct cable. Which I immediately knew wasn’t right - as the unit has been “off” in VictronConnect for a few hours. Likewise the input (alternator) hadn’t been above the start charging voltage for a similar period of time.
I briefly put the fuses back in, and my clamp meter showed It seemed to be drawing ~5A into the unit from the output side which was obviously all being dissipated as heat. I’d say it has a failed mosfet, diode or something internal. The internal current measurement of the unit was 0A and my SmartShunt was reading -4.7A discharging - verifying the clamp meter measurement. All other loads were disconnected.
Tested the ground cable/impedence while I was there - that was all good.
I’d say those here who had a fuse blow were lucky - the fuse did what it should, protecting the cables and internals of the unit.
My input and output fuses were 70A MIDI - maybe too high in retrospect - but honestly was selected to protect the 25mm2 cables ~1.5m long.
I’ve just left it isolated now and I’ll organise to return it via my supplier for assessment by Victron. Shame - it had been running daily since April without issue.
thanks for your Update. I remember having the same 5 Amps consumption, not knowing, which way it went.
Now I am sure, that the 5 Amps went through the OUT-Cable.
That will have destoyed my Orion as well, which performed perfectly till the Update.
Best regards and all the best for 2025
Michael from Cologne
Okay, then it’s probably a good idea to stop using the booster before it does any more damage in my installation
Too bad, because until the update I was super happy with the device, coming from the Orion TR, which unfortunately also had its problems.
I hope that Victron will come up with a solution quickly. Because the dealer will certainly suspect incorrect operation at first.
my Orion XS is definitly defect. I tried it again today and got the clicking noise as well as some heat.
I opened a support ticket and will hold you updated on further activity.
Another data point from a non-expert: same symptoms, downgraded to firmware v1.05 (file “OrionXS_12_12_50_A3F0_v01.05.xup”) via VRM, power-cycle and now input fuse blows, returning unit.
