New: Victron Orion XS 12/12-70 — 1,000 Watts of Alternator Charging in the Same Compact Box

Wesley has a product announcement this week: the Victron Orion XS 12/12-70, the newest member of the Orion XS DC-DC battery charging family. The headline number is simple — 70 amps, a full 1,000 watts, from your alternator into your house bank — and the surprise is where Victron put it: in exactly the same footprint as the original 50-amp Orion XS.

40% more power, same size — how?

Active fan cooling. The power electronics stay sealed inside the same IP65 case as the rest of the XS line, and external fans on the back pull heat away, holding the full rated 70-amp output up to 40°C / 104°F ambient. The unit weighs about 10 grams more than the 50.

One install note that matters: with the fans fitted, the overall unit carries a lower IP20 rating. The front is still fully water-protected, but plan the mounting location so the back stays dry — a cabinet or locker is perfect.

Everything the XS line is known for carries over

• Up to 98.5% efficiency — very little energy lost as heat.
• Four-stage adaptive charging for lithium, AGM, gel, and flooded batteries.
• Smart-alternator compatibility with built-in engine-shutdown detection — no extra wiring or ignition sensing needed.
• Input current limiting to protect your alternator.
• Bluetooth and VE.Direct for setup and monitoring, with DVCC control when connected to a GX device.
• Unlimited parallel operation — stack units for more charging amperage.

Which Orion XS is right for you?

Charging between 12 V and 24 V systems, the Orion XS 1400 is the one. For 12-to-12-volt systems you now have two options: the 50-amp remains a perfect DC-DC charger for smaller battery banks and alternators, and the new 70-amp is the pick for larger house banks and more power. If you're not sure which fits your bank and alternator, a free consultation with one of our ABYC-certified Advisors will settle it in one call.

The firmware news: every Orion XS can now jump your starter battery

This one applies to the entire Orion XS line, not just the new 70. With firmware v1.15, every Orion XS can run an emergency reverse charge: for 15 minutes, it charges your starter battery from your house bank. It's a feature a lot of customers have asked about, and it's now confirmed and shipping.

To set it up: open VictronConnect, connect to your Orion XS, go to Product Info, check the firmware, and run the update to v1.15. To use it: connect to the unit in VictronConnect, look for the engine icon on the status screen, and press start. No jumper cables, no booster pack, no waiting for help — you rescue the start battery with gear that's already installed. (If you manage your system through VRM, you can run firmware updates remotely too — here's the VRM setup guide.)

Price and availability

The Orion XS 12/12-70 (SKU ORI121221040) is in stock now at $395.25, and the 50-amp stays in the lineup at $328.10. Both live on the same page: shop the Victron Orion XS DC-DC Battery Charger. Everything Victron we stock is in one place: shop Victron Energy.

A note on safety: electrical work on boats, RVs, and off-grid systems can be dangerous — alternator circuits and big DC banks carry serious energy. When in doubt, bring in a certified marine electrician — no video replaces hands-on judgment.