# Upgrading to litium batteries - will this work?

**URL:** <https://community.victronenergy.com/t/upgrading-to-litium-batteries-will-this-work/57674>\
**Category:** DIY\
**Tags:** dc-dc\_charger\
**Created:** [7 May 2026 07:04 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/upgrading-to-litium-batteries-will-this-work/57674 "2026-05-07T07:04:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Welkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ac91a4/32.png) [@Welkin](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/Welkin)\
**Post date:** [7 May 2026 07:04 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/upgrading-to-litium-batteries-will-this-work/57674/1 "2026-05-07T07:04:38Z")

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Hi, I’m upgrading to litium batteries and would like some input on my plan. I plan to buy a VICTRON Orion XS 12/12-50A DC-DC charger both for charging under engine and from an existing 40A shore powered AC charger. I already have a Victron 300A shunt installed. Will this work?

 ![Electric diagram](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/original/3X/3/9/3909d176cc20f45099b8f521cc8ae518861f2df4.jpeg)

Updated drawing:

 ![Electric diagram](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/original/3X/1/1/11227e6ee55357cbac0b83a0235455318db103bf.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![pwfarnell](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/pwfarnell/32/2341_2.png) [@pwfarnell](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/pwfarnell)\
**Post date:** [7 May 2026 08:46 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/upgrading-to-litium-batteries-will-this-work/57674/2 "2026-05-07T08:46:05Z")

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Yes probably, the detail you are missing is the starter battery negative connection to the negative bus bar as this is required to complete the Orion charging circuit.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Welkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ac91a4/32.png) [@Welkin](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/Welkin)\
**Post date:** [7 May 2026 09:13 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/upgrading-to-litium-batteries-will-this-work/57674/3 "2026-05-07T09:13:10Z")

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Thanks, Yes, it is missing on the drawing along with fuses.

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**Author:** ![pwfarnell](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/pwfarnell/32/2341_2.png) [@pwfarnell](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/pwfarnell)\
**Post date:** [7 May 2026 12:16 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/upgrading-to-litium-batteries-will-this-work/57674/4 "2026-05-07T12:16:06Z")

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As the starter battery negative is connected to the negative bus bar then it will work.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Welkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ac91a4/32.png) [@Welkin](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/Welkin)\
**Post date:** [25 May 2026 06:24 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/upgrading-to-litium-batteries-will-this-work/57674/5 "2026-05-25T06:24:49Z")

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I have some doubts about the battery isolator ( Quick ECS163 ). I’ve been recommended to bypass this and connect the DC-DC charger directly to the starter battery like shown on the new diagram. Does this make sense?

 ![Electric diagram Modified](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/original/3X/0/f/0f50bec4281ef305ee4501df36b07acabcf40983.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pwfarnell](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/pwfarnell/32/2341_2.png) [@pwfarnell](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/pwfarnell)\
**Post date:** [25 May 2026 07:10 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/upgrading-to-litium-batteries-will-this-work/57674/6 "2026-05-25T07:10:19Z")

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That will be OK. Do not forget fuses on the DC to DC charger cable connected to the starter battery.