Wiring Orion XS and Battery main switches (motor battery and house batteries) on a boat

DIY
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1

I’m in the process of putting LiFePo4 batteries to replace my old gel house batteries on a boat.

I have an Orion XS dc-dc charger with fuses at both input and output cables. And I will remove the existing isolator.

All Victron wiring diagrams show a kind of “hard wiring” directly on battery terminals (motor battery and house batteries) without mentioning any battery main switches. Just fuses are protecting the system.

Where should I connect the b2b regarding the battery main switches (motor and house batteries)?

On the load-side of the main switches, to have an opportunity to isolate completely the batteries for security or storage issues (I have very long time period without recharging)?

Or indeed on the battery side of the main switches, thus having no possibility to disconnect them from the b2b?

What is the correct and safe wiring practice?

Thank you for your qualified answers.

2

I just finished my setup, but with two outboard engines AGM batteries and one house LiFePo battery.

The Orion XS is connected to one engine battery pole (or if you want to the engine battery switch OUT pole).
Battery Pole = Orion XS always on, but sleep when engine is not running
Battery Switch = Orion XS is totally off when Battery Switch is off

The Orion Xs uses only milivolts when sleeping so it would take a long time to drain the starter battery, but it’s up to you if you connect it directly to starter battery or to the battery switch.

Depending on distance between Engine Battery Switch you may need to run a long cable from Battery Switch to Orion XS what i consider as suboptimal.

Chris