Tip An Orion-Tr without “Smart” is a converter for powering loads, not a charger — to charge batteries from an alternator, Victron points to Orion-Tr Smart.
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Orion-Tr 12/12-9 isolated top view — REMOTE, INPUT and OUTPUT terminals, data: input 8–17 V, output 10–15 V, 110 W

Orion-Tr 12/12-9 isolated view from above — REMOTE, INPUT and OUTPUT terminals, data: input 8–17 V, output 10–15 V, 110 W

DC-DC converter

Orion-Tr — isolated and non-isolated

DC-DC converters that power loads with a different voltage from the battery voltage: a 12 V radio in a lorry with a 24 V system, 24 V equipment from a 48 V battery bank, or a stable 12.2 V from a battery whose voltage varies. Isolated versions (110–400 W) provide galvanic isolation between input and output and have remote on/off and voltage regulation. Non-isolated 24/12 units are small and the most efficient. None is a charger — for that use Orion-Tr Smart.

  • 12 / 24 / 48 V
  • isolated 110–400 W
  • non-isolated 24/12, 5–20 A
  • remote on/off (isolated)
  • IP43
Power (isolated)110–400 W at 40 °C
Current (non-isolated)5–20 A
Isolation200 V DC
Efficiency85–97 %
Which model? See a typical setup
According to the datasheets for Orion-Tr isolated 100/250/400 W and Orion-Tr low power non-isolated, and the manuals for both series. Independent description. Sources
What it is for

Different voltage for loads

A 24 V system in a lorry, bus or boat, while the radio, fridge or USB charger is 12 V. A 48 V battery bank in a cabin, while the controller runs on 24 V. Orion-Tr converts one DC voltage to another and keeps it stable — even when battery voltage rises during charging or drops under load.

In isolated versions, the input, output and enclosure are separated (200 V DC). The same models also work as a stabiliser — for example, 12/12 powers sensitive equipment with a steady voltage from a 12 V battery that in practice is between 11 and over 14 V. If the output voltage is set to nominal or lower, it remains stable across the full input voltage range.

  • short-circuit proof at the output — can be connected in parallel for higher current (isolated: no limit on quantity),
  • overtemperature protection — above 40 °C output current decreases by 3% for each degree,
  • IP43 when mounted terminals down; screw terminals, no special tools.
Orion-Tr 24/12-20 isolated front view — remote connector, terminals and status LED
Isolated version. The green remote on/off connector lets you switch the converter on with a small switch or ignition switch instead of a switch in the power circuit.
Not for charging batteries

The datasheet for isolated Orion-Tr explicitly states that the adjustable output voltage is not intended for charging batteries. To charge a house battery from an alternator or another Victron battery, Orion-Tr Smart is recommended; for high currents — Orion XS or Buck-Boost.

Comparison

Which Orion to choose

This sheet

Isolated Orion-Tr

Any combination of 12, 24 and 48 V on input and output, 110–400 W. Galvanic isolation, remote on/off, output voltage regulation. Powering loads.

110–400 W
This sheet

Non-isolated Orion-Tr

Only 24 V → 12 V, 5–20 A. Efficiency 95–97%, very small enclosure, common negative for input and output. No remote and no regulation.

60–240 W
For charging

Orion-Tr Smart

DC-DC charger with charging algorithm, engine running detection and Bluetooth — for the house battery in a vehicle.

separate card
Isolated models

Orion-Tr isolated: 110 to 400 W

Input110–120 W220–280 W360–400 W
12 V (8–17 V)12/12-9 (110 W), 12/24-5 (120 W)12/12-18 (220 W), 12/24-10 (240 W)12/12-30 (360 W), 12/24-15 (360 W), 12/48-8 (380 W)
24 V (16–35 V)24/12-9 (110 W), 24/24-5 (120 W), 24/48-2.5 (120 W)24/12-20 (240 W), 24/24-12 (280 W), 24/48-6 (280 W)24/12-30 (360 W), 24/24-17 (400 W), 24/48-8.5 (400 W)
48 V (32–70 V)48/12-9 (110 W), 48/24-5 (120 W), 48/48-2.5 (120 W)48/12-20 (240 W), 48/24-12 (280 W), 48/48-6 (280 W)48/12-30 (360 W), 48/24-16 (380 W), 48/48-8 (380 W)
Dimensions, weight100 × 113 × 47 mm, 0.42 kg130 × 186 × 70 mm, 1.3 kg130 × 186 × 70 mm, 1.6 kg; models with 12 V on input or output 130 × 186 × 80 mm, 1.8 kg
Cablesup to 6 mm²up to 16 mm²up to 16 mm²

Designation: input/output voltage – continuous current, e.g. 24/12-20 = from 24 V to 12 V, 20 A. Power in brackets — continuous at 40 °C (in the 110–120 W class the current is given for 25 °C). Current for 10 s: e.g. 25 A for 12/12-18 and 24/12-20, 40–45 A for 30 A models. Efficiency 85–89%.

Parameter12 V input24 V input48 V input
Input voltage range8–17 V16–35 V32–70 V
Low voltage shutdown / restart7 V / 7.5 V14 V / 15 V28 V / 30 V
Input fuseinternal, non-replaceableinternal, non-replaceablenone — external required
OutputNominal voltageAdjustment range
12 V12.2 V10–15 V
24 V24.2 V18–30 V
48 V48.2 V40–60 V

Common: ±0.2 V tolerance, 2 mV rms noise, 200 V DC isolation between input, output and enclosure, current draw below 200 µA after remote shutdown, −20…+55 °C (above 40 °C −3% per °C), humidity up to 95% non-condensing, ECE R10-5. If you set the output voltage above nominal by a certain percentage, the minimum input voltage at which the output remains stable increases by the same percentage.

Non-isolated models

Orion-Tr 24/12 non-isolated

Orion-Tr 24/12-5 non-isolated
24/12-5. 53 × 51 × 27 mm, 90 g — requires an external 5 A fuse on the input.
Orion-Tr 24/12-10 non-isolated
24/12-10. 73 × 94 × 37 mm, 0.2 kg, cables up to 6 mm².
Orion-Tr 24/12-20 non-isolated angled view — terminals and fuse
24/12-15 and 24/12-20. 73 × 94 × 45 mm, 0.25 kg, cables up to 6 mm².
24/12-524/12-1024/12-1524/12-20
Input voltage18–35 V
Output voltage12.7 V12.5 V12.5 V12.5 V
Continuous / maximum current5 / 7 A10 / 12 A15 / 20 A20 / 25 A
Efficiency95%97%97%97%
Current with no load< 20 mA< 45 mA< 35 mA< 35 mA
Max. cables3.3 mm²6 mm²6 mm²6 mm²

No galvanic isolation, −20…+55 °C (above 40 °C −3% per °C), IP43 when mounted terminals down, ECE R10-6. On the device labels, the input range is 18–36 V, in the datasheet 18–35 V.

Negative first

In non-isolated models, connect the power negative cable first to one of the negative terminals (both are internally linked), then connect the rest. A poor negative connection can cause overvoltage at the output.

Typical setup

12 V radio in a 24 V system

The isolated Orion-Tr 24/12 powers 12 V loads from a 24 V battery and switches on with the ignition via the remote connector. Simplified diagram.

24 V input 12.2 V remote Battery 24 V Fuse wire Orion-Tr 24/12 Loads 12 V Ignition switch / switch remote on/off
direct current (DC)control
Hover over the diagram element or tap it.
  1. Input24 V battery; 48 V models require an external input fuse.
  2. RemoteReplace the bridge on the green connector with a switch or ignition switch.
  3. VoltageSet the knob before connecting loads, batteries or parallel operation.
  4. Output12 V loads; 20 A continuous at 40 °C.
Installation

Step-by-step connection

  1. LocationCool, dry, ventilated. Terminals down — then the enclosure is IP43.
  2. PowerConnect the input cables. Non-isolated: negative first. Isolated 48 V and non-isolated 24/12-5: external input fuse (24/12-5: 5 A).
  3. Remote (isolated)Leave the bridge on the green connector or replace it with a switch (below 100 mA). Another option: remove the bridge and connect the right-hand terminal to the battery positive through a switch, for example the ignition switch.
  4. Output voltage (isolated)Knob next to the terminals (left or right, depending on the model): clockwise — higher, counter-clockwise — lower, about −15…+25% of the factory setting. Set it before paralleling converters or connecting the battery.
  5. LoadsConnect the load — the converter is ready.

The adjustment range in the datasheet (for example 10–15 V for a 12.2 V output) differs slightly from the manual description (−15…+25%).

Orion-Tr 24/24-17 isolated front view — green remote connector, terminals and voltage adjustment knob
Terminals of the isolated Orion-Tr. Green remote terminal with jumper, input and output terminals, and voltage knob.
Questions

Frequently asked questions about Orion-Tr

Can I charge a battery with Orion-Tr?

Victron does not recommend it — the datasheet for isolated Orion-Tr units says they are not intended for charging batteries. For charging, use Orion-Tr Smart (charging algorithm, engine running detection), and for higher currents Orion XS or Buck-Boost.

Isolated or non-isolated?

The non-isolated model (24 → 12 V only) is smaller and more efficient (95–97%), but it has a common negative for input and output and a fixed voltage. The isolated model has 200 V galvanic isolation, remote on/off, voltage adjustment and any combination of 12, 24 and 48 V.

Can I connect several converters in parallel?

Yes — the outputs are short-circuit and overload resistant. Isolated models can be connected in parallel without limit. First, set the same output voltage on each unit.

How do I switch the converter on with the ignition?

For isolated models: remove the jumper from the green remote terminal and connect the right-hand terminal through the ignition switch to battery positive. Then no switch is needed in the current circuit, and the switched-off converter draws less than 200 µA.

Why does the power drop at high temperature?

Above 40 °C ambient temperature, output current decreases by 3% for each degree — this protects against overheating. That is why the datasheet gives two power ratings: at 25 °C and at 40 °C.

I have a 12 V battery, and the equipment requires a constant 12 V — will the Orion-Tr 12/12 help?

Yes. The isolated 12/12 accepts 8–17 V and provides a stable 12.2 V (adjustable 10–15 V), as long as the output voltage is set to nominal or lower.

See also
Related

Related devices

Orion-Tr Smart

Orion-Tr Smart

DC-DC charger with Bluetooth
Orion XS

Orion XS

50 A DC-DC charger
Buck-Boost DC-DC

Buck-Boost DC-DC

Charging from the alternator up to 100 A
Smart BatteryProtect

Smart BatteryProtect

Protecting the battery from discharge
Sources

Manufacturer documentation

Content checked against Victron Energy documentation (datasheets and manuals) — status as of 23 September 2026. Report an error in the content · Correction log