Download the Victron Connect app
Download the free Victron Connect app from the Google Play or Apple App Store onto any Bluetooth-enabled device. Ensure that that Bluetooth functionality is enabled on your device.
The Victron Connect app will allow you to configure and monitor your Victron equipment over Bluetooth, with or without cell or internet access. You'll just need to be within about 15 feet of your equipment.
Google Play Link
Unpack and Assemble
Unpack the Orion from it's packaging. Included in the packaging you will find a small green plastic part, with a small loop of black wire. Insert this into the matching port on the Orion to the left of the "Input" terminals.
This part is very important, without it, the Orion will not work. It is included so that you can easily add a physical on/off switch, however, in most cases this is not necessary. Simply insert it into the Orion, and proceed to the next step.
Mount the Orion
Mount the Orion in well-ventilated location, ideally within 5' of where you will install the rest of your solar kit. You can mount the unit in any orientation, with a slight preference for vertical mounting so that air can naturally flow up through the heat-sink fins and cool the unit.
Mount the unit a few inches away from any other components or objects that might obstruct the air flow through the fins, and leave yourself ample room to run the cables in and out.
Connect the Input Wires
Strip one end of each of the Red and Black #6 wires. Insert these stripped wires into the corresponding "Input" terminals, and secure them in place with a flathead screw driver.
Tug on the wires to ensure secure connection. If they pull out, loosen the terminals and try again with a bit more force.
Route the Wires to the Starter Battery
Run the cables out from where the Orion is mounted, to the vehicle's starter battery. Make sure to account for any obstacles and leave yourself a few feet of extra cable just to be sure.
The #6 cable provided is oversized in order to accommodate long runs, so leave yourself plenty to work with. When you are sure you have enough wire, cut both wires and put the rest aside.
Crimp the 5/16" Lugs
Strip the ends of the two wires you just cut. Use the hammer crimper (or your own crimper) to crimp #6 x 5/16" lugs onto each wire. These lugs will eventually connect to either your vehicles starter battery, or directly to the alternator.
In most cases, connecting to the starter battery directly will be easiest, so do it that way unless you have a reason not to.
Mount the Fuse Holder
Determine where you will mount your starter battery fuse. This should ideally be within 5 feet of the starter battery, in a reasonably accessible location, just in case you ever need to replace the fuse. Secure the fuse holder in place with screws or bolts.
The red positive wire running from the Orion will run through one end of the fuse and out the other end to the positive terminal of the battery.
Ensure you have enough wire to run from the Orion to one side of the MIDI fuse holder, and enough to run to the positive termianal of the starter battery, then cut the red wire, strip both ends, and crimp the #6 x #10 lugs onto both sides.
Stage the Wires on the Fuse
Unscrew the nuts on both sides of the fuse holder, and slide the two #10 lugs that you just crimped onto each terminal post, and then loosely re-tighten the nuts over them.
Do not install the fuse. Move on to the next step.
Connect the Starter Battery
Connect the positive and negative 5/16" lugs on the ends to the terminal posts of your starter battery. The 5/16" lugs we provide should fit most batteries, but you may need to adapt them to suit your particular install.
Connect the Output Wires
Take the remaining red and black #6 wire, strip one end of each, and insert the stripped ends into the corresponding "Output" terminals on the Orion. Tighten them down like you did for the Input wires.
Run the negative line to your negative distribution block, and trim any excess cable, and then strip back the end. Insert the stripped end into one of the 8 small ports of the negative distribution block and tighten it down with a 5mm hex key.
Connect the Output Breaker
Run the positive line into one side of your breaker box. Trim any excess wire, strip back the end, and insert the bare copper into the top terminal of the 40A MNEPV resettable breaker, then tighten the terminal down with a flathead or Philips screw driver. Tug to make sure the connection is secure.
Strip one end of the remaining red #6 cable, insert into the other side of the breaker box, and insert the bare copper into the bottom terminal of the 40A MNEPV breaker (marked ++), and secure it the same way. Ensure that the breaker is in the "off" position.
Run the other end of the red positive cable from your breaker to your positive distribution block. Trim any excess cable, strip the end, and insert the bare copper into any of the 8 small ports on the positive distribution block, and tighten in place with a 5mm hex key.
Check Your Work
Check all your connections against this simplified schematic.
Note that this schematic is simplified to include only the components relevant to this install, and is provided for reference only.
Refer to the diagram that came with your kit for the rest of your wiring.
Turn It On
Once you have confirmed that everything is properly connected and the wires are firmly secured, go back to your starter battery and install the 40A fuse by sliding it over the terminal posts and securing the nuts.
Note: When you connect the fuse, you will complete the circuit with the Orion, and it is possible that you will see a few small sparks. This is normal.
Next, flip the 40A output breaker into the "on" position.
The lights on the Orion should now be on, and the Orion should be discoverable by the Victron Connect app.
Open Victron Connect
Open the Victron Connect app on a bluetooth enabled device. Ensure that bluetooth functionality is enabled.
Navigate through any setup screens that appear. You will likely have to run a few updates, if so, just let it do it’s thing for a bit.
When updates are complete you should be at the “Device list” menu, and it should show “Orion Smart” as well as any other Victron Bluetooth-enabled components within range. Select the Orion. It will ask for a password, default is “000000” (six zeros).
This password can be changed via a pop-up that will usually appear the first time you log in, it can also be changed later but will require physical access to the Orion to do so. For most applications we suggest you do not change it from default.
Configure the Orion
Once you’re in the Orion’s menu, hit the gear-shaped icon at the top right to enter the settings menu, and change the following settings, if they are not already set.
• Change “Function” to “Charger”
• Click “Battery Settings” and confirm that Lithium Iron Phosphate is selected.
• Click “Engine Shutdown Detection” and select your alternator type. Most vehicles will have a normal alternator. If you do not know which type of alternator you have, consult your manual or dealership.
• Back on the settings menu, confirm that the two “Input Voltage Lockout” settings are set to 12.5V (bell icon) and 12.8V (crossed-out bell icon).
You're Done!
Now whenever you drive, the Orion will charge your battery bank at 30 Amps - about as much power as an extra solar panel in full sun, no matter what the weather is like!