Orion XS 12/12-50A

Victron Orion XS 12/12-50

Non-isolated 50A DC-DC charger with high efficiency.

The reference run on this page is 10 ft one way, sized against ABYC E-11. Your own run will differ, and the canvas sizes that one.

Wiring diagram

How the Orion XS 50A is wired.

The drawing shows where the feed, the return and the fuse land on this part. The starter uses the same reference circuit and sizing assumptions. Read the installation notes for manufacturer requirements before adapting the runs.

Victron Orion XS 12/12-50 wiring diagram, 6 AWG (16 mm²) positive feed protected by a 60 A fuse and a matching negative return between the 12 V battery bank and the unit, plus IN +, IN −.

This example uses the manual's minimum cable size and a fuse within its permitted range on each battery-positive path. Those choices are pinned in the starter; review them when changing the installation. Input and output are sized at their current limits, not a prediction of simultaneous charging performance. Manufacturer installation manual

Open starter in Crimp

Build it out

Build the system it goes in.

Open the canvas with Orion XS 12/12-50A already placed, then add your batteries, charging, distribution and loads around it.

Every cable you draw there is sized against ABYC E-11, from the same tables as the reference on this page.

Technical reference

Specs, terminals and the parts around them.

The catalog facts for this part, which terminal takes what, and the hardware you'll want around it. Check the nameplate on your own unit before you order.

Catalog specification

Rated output
50 A
Planning charge current
50 A

10 ft reference run

12 V system

Wire
6 AWG · 16 mm²
Fuse
60 A
Design current
50 A
Voltage drop
2.8%

Sized against ABYC E-11 — the US reference, and what Transport Canada accepts as an alternative to TP 1332 for pleasure craft under 24 m. The design current is the unit's rated output. The length is one way; voltage drop includes an equal-length return. The shared starter uses 3.048 m (10 ft) runs unless a shorter run is stated. These are example assumptions for you to adapt to your own installation.

This example uses the manual's minimum cable size and a fuse within its permitted range on each battery-positive path. Those choices are pinned in the starter; review them when changing the installation. Input and output are sized at their current limits, not a prediction of simultaneous charging performance. Manufacturer installation manual

Supporting parts

  1. 20 ft total of 6 AWG (16 mm²) marine cable
  2. Terminations for 6 AWG cable, matched to the equipment's screw terminals, leads or studs
  3. 60 A fuse and holder on the positive run
  4. Heat-shrink, strain relief and terminal boots sized to the cable

Check stud sizes, fuse type, run length and how warm the space gets against the gear you actually have before you order.

Terminal map

IN + and OUT + are separate power paths. IN − and OUT − below are logical return connections to the same physical GND terminal on this non-isolated unit. The listed currents are catalog planning limits, not connector ratings. Follow the manual's physical connections and remote-control wiring.

IN +

in-pos

positive · input

50 A

IN −

in-neg

negative · input

50 A

OUT +

out-pos

positive · output

50 A

OUT −

out-neg

negative · output

50 A

Field notes

How it actually goes in.

What we've read and heard about installing this exact part. These are notes, kept apart from the numbers Crimp works out.

How is the Orion XS 12/12-50A connected?

This page covers the non-isolated Orion XS 12/12-50A. In a campervan B2B installation, the starter battery feeds IN + through its battery-end fuse; OUT + charges the leisure or house bank through a second battery-end fuse. The banks and charger share a negative connection. Follow Victron's charger-mode connections, including remote on/off and battery-profile setup before enabling charging.

The diagram separates the return paths for readability. They correspond to the unit's single physical GND terminal, not two isolated negative terminals. Remote and BMS control connections are outside this starter's power-circuit drawing.

What fuse and cable size does the Orion XS require?

Section 3.3 of the manual specifies 60–70 A external battery protection and a minimum 16 mm² / 6 AWG for runs under 5 m, with a larger conductor for longer runs. These are manufacturer requirements; the fuse rating is not the input draw. The example pins a fuse within that range and the minimum conductor choice on both battery paths. Review routing, cooling and the manual's termination instructions for your installation.

The reference above describes the output-to-house-bank circuit. Open the starter to inspect both battery paths. Each positive and return run is 3.048 m (10 ft); the metric overview rounds this to 3 m. Voltage drop includes the return. The AGM source bank and 200 Ah house bank are planning placeholders: replace them with your actual batteries and cable lengths.

Does a 50 A output mean a 60 A alternator load?

No. The 50A model's technical specification gives adjustable input and output limits up to 50 A. At low input voltage, the input limit can reduce available output. Do not assume both sides deliver their maximum simultaneously.

Allow for the vehicle's own loads and alternator performance at idle when setting the input limit. Crimp sizes the starter paths at the model's ratings; it does not simulate VictronConnect limits, engine-run detection or an alternator output curve. See Victron's operating settings for detection and lockout configuration.

What belongs around the charger?

Verified against the manufacturer's documentation (rev. 11 — 06/2026), checked 2026-09-11. Manufacturer documentation →

Method & provenance

What is known, assumed and computed.

The manufacturer publishes some of these numbers and Crimp works out the rest. It's worth knowing which is which.

From the maker

What the catalog says

Manufacturer, model, ratings and which terminal does what come from the catalog. A newer revision, or the nameplate on the unit in your hand, can say something different — when it does, the nameplate wins.

ABYC E-11

What Crimp worked out

Sized against ABYC E-11 — the US reference, and what Transport Canada accepts as an alternative to TP 1332 for pleasure craft under 24 m. The run length and the current above are what drive the result. Crimp doesn't know how warm your space gets; draw the cable inside an engine-bay zone on the canvas and it sizes for the heat.

Read how the sizing works

Next step

Draw the Orion XS 50A into your own system.

It lands on the canvas already placed. Add what it connects to, and every run gets its wire and fuse as you draw.