Output Voltage to Teardrop Trailer

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I tow a Teardrop that has a Victron Orion 12-12 non smart DC DC charger. With my 2019 Ranger, I saw voltages from the DC DC charger that were in the proper range (14.4 +/- .2VDC ) for the LiFePO4 battery. With the 2026 TRD OR (gas only) I’m only seeing 13.92 VDC, which is below the optimal charging voltage. The Victron has a manual adjustment pot, and I’ve set it at the max setting, with 13.92 the highest output seen. My battery is a 300AH, and at 90%.

I wonder if the 4R alternator isn’t sensing enough load to boost its output to a level that would bring the charger up to recommend voltage.

Anyone a Victron expert?

Edit: it’s this model -> Victron Energy Orion-Tr DC to DC Converter | 12/12-Volt 9 amp 110-Watt, IP43 Protected

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[horbit]

I checked my gas ORP earlier today and it idled as high as 14.1 volts. Not sure if that DC to DC charger you have can boost voltages or operates as a standard buck (step down) convertor. May have to look at a higher Victron model that supports boosting voltages or replace the lithium battery with a lead acid battery. There is also the possibility of tricking the 4runner alternator into putting out a higher voltage with a hardware mod to the alternator voltage sense fuse, or finding a tool to flash the ECU to make the alternator run at that higher voltage.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Where were you checking the voltage? I wonder if I have a drop at/2 the 7 pin.

 

[horbit]

I have a BantamX wired directly to the battery, so it tells me the exact voltage.

 

[bakutheleo]

I am a bit confused...do you have a charge controller in the trailer? Or are you connecting this Orion directly to the LiFePO4 battery? If the latter, do not do that. Very bad. If the former, why are you using the Orion device?

Also, do you have an additional method of charging the LiFePO4 battery? Are you just using it to last as long as possible with no (or minimal) charging when "out" (camping)? I ask because a 300AH battery is pretty huge, and if the only charge you have is what comes out of that Orian it is very mismatched. It would take probably over 35 hours to charge a dead battery. understand you may not typically let it go dead every day, but it is wasted capacity unless you are using it heavily then charging it fully using a high-power charger somewhere.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I’m confused why you believe it should go to the controller. Victron specifically says to the battery.

Yes, the battery is purposefully big.

I have both shore power and portable solar. The Victron Orion is simply to keep the battery topped of while driving.

 

[bakutheleo]

Thanks, I figured (and hoped) the point was that you wanted capacity and were just topping it off.

However, the model you stated is not the smart version--their web page specifically says not to use it as a battery charger and to use the smart version instead. Charging batteries requires smarts--just pushing current is bad (worse for newer technologies such as lilthium). Or was "non smart" a typo or did I misinterpret that?

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