Article: Victron Blue Smart Charger: IP22 vs IP65 vs IP67 — Which Do You Need?
Victron Blue Smart Charger: IP22 vs IP65 vs IP67 — Which Do You Need?
The Victron Blue Smart Charger comes in three IP ratings — IP22, IP65, and IP67 — and the right choice depends almost entirely on where the charger lives on your boat, RV, or off-grid build. Wesley walks through the full lineup in the video above.
What Every Blue Smart Charger Shares
Before the differences, the baseline. All three models run the same core charging technology:
Integrated Bluetooth. Every Blue Smart charger connects wirelessly to the VictronConnect app for live voltage and current data, charge profile adjustments, and over-the-air firmware updates — no USB cable, no desktop software required.
Multi-chemistry support. Adaptive charge curves are built in for Lead-Acid, AGM, Gel, and Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries. Switch chemistry in the app — the charger adjusts automatically.
Deep discharge recovery. A pre-charge routine can wake up a completely dead battery, including LiFePO4 packs whose BMS has tripped open and disconnected. If the battery appears to have no voltage at all, the Blue Smart starts with a safe pre-charge pulse before ramping up.
Storage mode. When left plugged in long-term, the charger automatically drops to an ultra-low float voltage stage that minimizes cell aging, plate degradation, and gassing — protecting the battery during months of inactivity.
The Three Models
IP22 — Maximum Power, Dry Locations Only
The IP22 is the highest-output, most feature-rich, most cost-effective model in the lineup — and it is designed exclusively for dry indoor installation: under a cabin berth, inside an RV bay, or in a sheltered equipment locker that never sees moisture.
Multiple outputs. Available in single-output and three-output configurations. The three-output version charges up to three separate battery banks simultaneously from one unit — useful for boats with house, start, and bow thruster banks.
Night / Low mode. A selectable setting in VictronConnect cuts the maximum charge current exactly in half and turns off all internal fans. The result is a completely silent charger for 8 hours — useful for overnight charging aboard when you're sleeping.
VE.Smart networking. Up to 10 IP22 chargers can link together over local Bluetooth and charge a single large battery bank as one synchronized system. Every charger shifts from Bulk to Absorption phase at the same moment — which matters for large lithium banks that need coordinated charge management.
Sizes: 12V in 15A, 20A, and 30A. 24V in 8A, 12A, and 16A.
Wiring note: The IP22 does not come with battery cables or terminal lugs. It uses hardwired terminal block ports — it is designed for a professional fixed installation, not plug-and-play use.
IP65 — Rugged and Portable, Damp Environments
The IP65 is dust-tight and splash-resistant — suitable for damp boat lockers, workshop benches, garage floors, and anywhere the charger might see incidental moisture but not sustained immersion.
It is fanless, which eliminates the failure point of a cooling fan in a dirty or damp environment, and it runs at up to 95% efficiency — producing far less waste heat than comparable chargers. Once the battery hits 100%, standby draw drops below 0.5 amps.
Power supply mode. The IP65 can be toggled in VictronConnect to operate as a stabilized DC power supply rather than a battery charger — useful for powering DC loads directly when a battery isn't in the circuit.
Plug-and-play accessories. The IP65 ships with quick-connect plugs rather than hardwired terminals, and a range of snap-on accessories are available separately: heavy alligator clamps, rubber armor bumpers for job site use, wall-mount brackets, and extension cords.
Sizes: Available across 6V, 12V, and 24V options.
IP67 — Total Protection, Ignition-Safe
The IP67 is the maximum-protection model in the lineup. The housing is cast solid aluminum, and the internal electronics are fully encapsulated in resin — not just sealed, but molded solid.
Protection ratings: Completely waterproof, dustproof, oil-resistant, and shockproof. Critically, the IP67 is certified as ignition-protected — meaning it is approved to mount inside environments where flammable vapors may be present, including gas engine bilges. That certification is the difference between a legal install and a liability.
Sizes: Multiple 12V and 24V current capacities.
Which One Is Right for Your Install
| Model | Environment | Best For | Wiring |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP22 | Dry indoor only | High amperage, multi-bank, synchronized charging | Hardwired terminal blocks |
| IP65 | Damp / splash-exposed | Portable or semi-permanent installs, power supply mode | Quick-connect plugs + accessories |
| IP67 | Wet, dirty, ignition-risk zones | Engine bilge, underwater compartments, gas engine installs | Sealed connections |
Wesley's summary: the IP22 delivers unmatched value for dry cabin installs — up to 30A output and triple-bank charging for $100–200. The IP65 and IP67 are the right call for any install where moisture, dust, or ignition risk are factors, starting under $100 for many configurations.
Browse the full Blue Marine battery charger collection — we carry the complete Victron Blue Smart lineup across all three IP ratings. Choosing a charger for a LiFePO4 bank? See our LiFePO4 vs AGM guide for the chemistry context first. If you're setting up shore power and charging for a winter layup, see our electrical winterization guide. Questions about which charger fits your system? Schedule a free consultation with our team.
Related reading:
LiFePO4 vs AGM Marine Battery: Which Should You Buy?
How to Winterize Your Boat's Electrical System
Common Lithium Battery Installation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
