[Tuckie]

Can I ask why your system required the isolated version? I've never seen a car install where that was needed.

 

[csquared]

I followed the Explorist.life system diagram for my van. I believe the isolated version is used so that the house batteries and the van batteries are not connected and ensures that the van batteries can’t be drained while using the fan, fridge, etc.

 

[javazoe]

I followed the Explorist.life system diagram for my van. I believe the isolated version is used so that the house batteries and the van batteries are not connected and ensures that the van batteries can’t be drained while using the fan, fridge, etc.

Non - isolated only refers to your common ground. Isolated is not required and you will not deplete your start battery as long as you hook up an accessory wire to trigger it on and off when the van starts. It is the small green wire on mine seen in this picture.

I assure you don't need isolated with a van utilizing a chassis common ground.

 

[csquared]

Thanks for the correction. Ultimately my system is already fully installed and I am very happy with how the isolated version works and how it was hooked up in my build.

If the non-isolated is more what people are looking for then great, hopefully it’ll be easier to sell.

 

[javazoe]

Victron is the way to go if your doing a house DC system if you are ok with spending a bit more for quality.

I had to take a look at some of Explorist.life diagrams in detail and they seem to show isolated even on their non isolated systems. I suspect this is a minor oversight when they layed out the diagram on the computer. There are no benefits to this it just costs more for ground wire and $60-80 more for the increased cost of the isolated charger.

Non-Isolated DC to DC is the most common way to go for a Van system, isolated DC to DC certainly will work equally as well, just cost more.

 

[mattwils77]

Hi All, my orion will live in the rear of my van, do i need to run both positive and negative up to the CCP2 connection point? or can i ground locally near the orion? perhaps on the chassis ground all the other equipment is connected to? trying to save a few bucks on wire.....lol

 

[Tuckie]

Grounding to the body should be just fine (and is in fact expected with the non-isolated Orion). You may want to double-check the existing grounds of the battery and alternator though and see if they need to be sized up. (I'm not there yet in my planning process)

 

[javazoe]

There are a few dedicated grounding points on the van to. This one is at the rear right. But, if you can't find one near just make a good sound connection to the body. Mine goes to a Victron distributor before branching to each component, a bus bar would also work.

o.