Orion XS and Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC chargers in Boardstrom

Boardstrom reads both Victron DC-DC charger families over Bluetooth. What it can show differs between them, because they broadcast different things.

	Orion XS	Orion-Tr Smart
Charging state (bulk, absorption, float, off)	Yes	Yes
Input voltage (the starter battery side)	Yes	Yes
Output power	Measured	Not broadcast. Boardstrom estimates it.

Alternator power

Orion XS: the Alternator figure is the charger's own measured output.
Orion-Tr Smart: the charger broadcasts no current. While it reports that it is charging, Boardstrom estimates alternator power as the battery charging that solar and other chargers don't explain.
For a measured figure with an Orion-Tr Smart, put a SmartShunt on the charger's output and set it to DC Energy Meter mode, type "DC-DC charger" or "Alternator". Boardstrom then uses the measured value.

Starter battery voltage

The charger's input is the battery it draws from, usually the starter battery. Boardstrom shows that voltage as a "Starter" line on the Flow page, so you see the starter battery without a separate monitor.

Two chargers

With two DC-DC chargers, the Alternator circle shows them together and a line underneath shows each one: watts for an Orion XS, the state for an Orion-Tr Smart.

Setting it up

In VictronConnect, open the device, then Settings › Product Info. Make sure Instant Readout via Bluetooth is on, and tap Show next to the encryption key.
Open Boardstrom near the device. It appears on its own under Settings › Systems & devices.
Tap it and enter the key. Readings start within a few seconds.

Good to know

An Orion-Tr without "Smart" in the name has no Bluetooth and is not visible to the app.
By default the Alternator circle appears only while the charger is delivering power. Pro has a setting to keep it on screen when idle.

Get Boardstrom

Boardstrom runs on iPhone, iPad and Android. It is free to start, and Demo Mode shows a simulated system if you want to look around first. Get the app.