# XS 1400 & Ip65 smart charger/psu

**URL:** <https://community.victronenergy.com/t/xs-1400-ip65-smart-charger-psu/52537>\
**Category:** Q&A and troubleshooting\
**Tags:** dc-dc\_charger, professional\
**Created:** [30 January 2026 23:33 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/xs-1400-ip65-smart-charger-psu/52537 "2026-01-30T23:33:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mark5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@Mark5](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/Mark5)\
**Post date:** [30 January 2026 23:33 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/xs-1400-ip65-smart-charger-psu/52537/1 "2026-01-30T23:33:29Z")

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We manufacture mobile equipment with a built in Victron XS1400 DCDC charger to charge 2x12V 110Ah lead acid batteries in series. The charge input is via an external connection plug. The 24V from the batteries is used to feed gas process equipment, ecu, valves etc.

For some of the time input to the charger will be via a 12V tow bar connection or 24V hgv power output. Charge current is limited to 10A via the input setting on the XS1400, this works well.

Where conditions allow we would like to connect to 230AC. For this I chose the IP65 smart charger 24v/13A set in PSU mode, plugged in to the external connection point to feed the XS1400. When connected the smart charger’s constant voltage output is very unstable with no output current. This happens in both 4A and 13A settings. What am I doing wrong.

Thanks

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**Author:** ![chrigu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ba9def/32.png) [@chrigu](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/chrigu)\
**Post date:** [31 January 2026 10:23 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/xs-1400-ip65-smart-charger-psu/52537/2 "2026-01-31T10:23:19Z")

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Orions are battery to battery chargers. You are feeding the output voltage of a power supply into it. Most likely the Orion is trying to start charging, pulls some initial current, the voltage sags due to this, the power supply cant react fast enough, and the Orion stops again.

Since you got an IP65 smart charger, why are you not charging the batteries directly with it. Unnecessarily complicated to use a charger as a power supply to feed another charger

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**Author:** ![Mark5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@Mark5](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/Mark5)\
**Post date:** [31 January 2026 10:47 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/xs-1400-ip65-smart-charger-psu/52537/3 "2026-01-31T10:47:58Z")

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The equipment is specifically designed not to have a mains connection on board so we can manage shock protection and stray current risk.

The external envelope of the equipment only has one connection port to the XS1400. Altering the mechanical design to accommodate an additional connection to the batteries at this stage is not an option.

I need to provide an external solution using the existing equipment no matter how inefficient that may sound.

Thanks for your help.

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**Author:** ![chrigu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ba9def/32.png) [@chrigu](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/chrigu)\
**Post date:** [31 January 2026 10:50 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/xs-1400-ip65-smart-charger-psu/52537/4 "2026-01-31T10:50:02Z")

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Then you need to find a PSU that can react fast enough in order to supply the Orion, or you need to use a small buffer battery inbetween