Introducing: The new Orion XS 1400
We’re excited to announce the arrival of the long awaited Victron Orion XS 1400 50A DC-DC Battery Charger! This compact, high performance unit is part of Victron’s new XS series, offering improved efficiency and a smaller footprint compared to previous models.
So, what’s actually changed and is it the right fit for your system? Let’s take a closer look at what’s new.
Power output
This unit delivers up to 1400 watts*, making it ideal for fast, safe charging of 12V or 24V battery banks from a 12V or 24V starter battery.
*But what’s with the asterisk?
Good question. The XS 1400 is marketed as a 1400W charger, and it absolutely can be, but only when used in a 24V-to-24V configuration. That’s because the output current is capped at 50A, regardless of the output voltage. In a 24V system, 50A × ~28V gets you that full 1400W. But in a 12V system, 50A × ~14V maxes out around 700W. So unless you’ve got a serious overlander or expedition rig running fully on 24V, you’re more likely to see half that figure, which still represents a substantial amount of power for such a compact unit.
The Orion XS 1400 is designed to limit its output current to 50A for thermal management and safety. By capping current rather than wattage, the unit maintains consistent thermal performance across voltage ranges. This helps protect internal components from overheating and ensures long-term reliability, even under heavy loads.
This brings us to one of the most noticeable visual differences between the XS 1400 and its smaller sibling, the XS 50A: the substantial heat sink. This rugged slab of aluminium nearly doubles the height of the 1400 model compared to the 12|12-50A, and it’s there for good reason. It dissipates heat effectively during continuous, high-current operation.
That being said, this still isn’t a big unit, especially when you consider the older generation of Orion DC-DC chargers, which were larger and less powerful. For a device capable of pushing out up to 1400W, it’s impressively compact and easy to mount.
So, no matter whether you’re charging at 12V or 24V, the unit delivers up to 50A, and the total wattage depends on your combination of starter and system voltage:
| Starter battery voltage (V) | System voltage (V) | Charging wattage (W) |
| 12 | 12 | ~700 |
| 12 | 24 | ~700 |
| 24 | 12 | ~700 |
| 24 | 24 | ~1400 |
Should you use the XS 1400 in an exclusively 12V system?
You can use the XS 1400 in a 12V-to-12V setup (where both the starter and leisure batteries are 12V), but it’s not the most efficient choice. In this scenario, we’d usually recommend going with the Orion XS 12-12V 50A instead. Why?
- It delivers the same 50A charging current
- It’s about 200g lighter
- More cost effective
Wiring diagram included
For most standard van builds or off-grid campers running a 12V electrical system, the 12-12V model makes more sense. The XS 1400 comes into its own when you’re either running a full 24V system or planning a larger-scale upgrade in the future.
Connectivity
The Orion XS 1400 comes with built-in Bluetooth, giving you full access via the VictronConnect app. From custom charging profiles to real-time data monitoring, it’s all at your fingertips. You can fine-tune your setup from your phone or tablet with no need to plug in or use external interfaces.
It also features a VE.Direct port for integration into wider Victron systems, such as the Cerbo GX, so it slots in neatly with your existing setup if you’re scaling up or adding layers of monitoring and control.
Since the XS 1400 is compatible with multiple system and starter battery voltages, it’s important to configure the device correctly. Its built-in connectivity makes this easy. You can even tailor the exact output current. For example, if you have two XS 1400s in a 12-24V system but your alternator can’t quite handle the combined 100A, you can dial this back to a safer level.
Orion XS vs Orion-Tr Smart
The Orion XS 1400 builds on the trusted foundation of the Orion-Tr Smart series but takes things up a notch in terms of performance and flexibility. While both offer reliable, programmable DC-DC charging with Bluetooth built in, the XS 1400 introduces a few notable improvements.
For starters, cooling is now active. The XS 1400 uses a smart fan system instead of relying solely on passive heatsinks. This allows it to push more power while staying cool under pressure, especially during extended high-current charging.
Another important change is that galvanic isolation is now standard across the XS range. This was only available on certain Orion-Tr Smart models. That means better system protection out of the box, particularly in mixed-voltage or sensitive electrical setups.
Unlike the Orion-Tr chargers, which relied on engine shutdown detection by monitoring alternator voltage, the Orion XS 1400 includes a smart engine detection feature that senses vibration to determine whether the engine is running. This removes the need to run a traditional D+ signal cable, which was sometimes required in systems with a single charger. It makes installation simpler and quicker.
However, if you’re running multiple XS 1400 units in parallel, Victron still recommends using a more controlled signal, such as an ignition-switched source or a D+ line, connected to the remote on/off terminals of each unit. This ensures all chargers activate in sync, preventing uneven loads or charging inconsistencies across your system.
In short, if you’re working with a 24V electrical system, need fast DC-DC charging, or want to future-proof your recharging capability, the Orion XS 1400 is a serious upgrade from the original Orion-Tr series, particularly for builds running 12-24V or 24-24V configurations.
Campervan electrics leaving you confused?
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