Forced air ventilation for Victron units
- Thread starter Gerry77
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- Apr 3, 2018
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Sorry cannot comment exept to say that IMO a company like Victron would already have this covered at the design stage.
OP
OP
But I understood that their B2B chargers get hot.
Have a look at Mispronounced Adventures on you tube where he does tests of Victron units with and without fan cooling.
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- Apr 3, 2018
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Yes, they may get hot but as above surely Victron have decided that they are safe to use..
Just a thought but could it be the actual fitment that is at fault..?
I know of someone who has done it. He tells me it has significantly increased the amps output by the Victron B2B unit as before the output reduced as the heat increased.
- Jul 5, 2013
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I have had a the Victron 30A B2B for a year and a half and have had no overheating problems at all.
The one thing that I try to steer clear of is so called experts on you tube.
I have fitted a small 12vdc fan under my Victron b2b! If yours is fitted in a fairly poorly ventilated area it may be worth it! Hopefully it will slow down the drop in output from 30A to 20A as it gets very hot, a well known issue which is being addressed in the new model. Remains to be seen how effective it is, not had much chance to test it yet, and it's not in a very well ventilated space so maybe a "few more holes" will help! 
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Exactly the findings on youtube by Mispronounced Adventures.
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OP
OP
Same as posted by StillGoing.
Same as Vansflyer too.
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I fitted fans to ours, one has a 3d printed duct I made and the other has fans blowing straight up the heatsink. The none ducted one has better airflow and seems to run cooler according to the hand held thermometer.
They defiantly run cooler and throttle back less than they didn't have the fans on them. They seem to consistently kick out 55A between them when running so I am happy with that.
As previously stated overheating and reducing output is a known issue with the Victron B2B units.
They defiantly run cooler and throttle back less than they didn't have the fans on them. They seem to consistently kick out 55A between them when running so I am happy with that.
As previously stated overheating and reducing output is a known issue with the Victron B2B units.
OP
OP
I was proposing it unducted with the charger spaced off to give enough depth for the fan/ fans to vent the rear heatsink of the charger. Depends on size/ output of the fan or fans chosen.
Ours are mounted on some metal plate to give a much larger heatsink. Two small laptop fans seem to cover the area of the fins nicely.
Easy job to do and we can't hear the fans when the engine is running and they are triggered by D+ signal so no manual intervention needed.
I use 2x small and very quiet computer fans wired up to start when the B2B is in use. They blow air over the radiator fins of the heat sink on the back of the Victron.
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PeterCarole29
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I havent had fans but on this build and after reading this thread think its a good idea and will be bringing up a vent from the floor from outside in 50mm pipe as the boot area gets warm from fridge as well
OP
OP
You could fit a computer fan inside that pipe like a SOG toilet system.
- Jul 5, 2013
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Doh......... To much Christmas booze yesterday.
I have the 30A Votronic B2B, not the Victron one. The Votronic one has a built in fan and that will explain why I have had no problem with it over heating.
Mine gets hot when it's running for about an hour or so and the van itself is warmish..
I have seen a voltage drop on one occasion when I am charging bike batteries on the move via the inverter...
I have a freestanding fan that may need to be used at sometime to blast cool air on to the B2B..
I fitted my B2B at the rear of the passenger seat box to give it more change of remaining cool during charging...I'm sure I would have experienced more overheating if installed in a confined space.
I have seen a voltage drop on one occasion when I am charging bike batteries on the move via the inverter...
I have a freestanding fan that may need to be used at sometime to blast cool air on to the B2B..
I fitted my B2B at the rear of the passenger seat box to give it more change of remaining cool during charging...I'm sure I would have experienced more overheating if installed in a confined space.
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MisterB
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- Feb 25, 2018
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- enough to know i shouldnt touch things i know nothing about ....
I'm sure my Renogy has a fan built in...... It seems logical to me that if the output drops due to heat, then forced cooling would assist. No one was suggesting the Victron wasn't safe, just looking to try and improve it's performance. Some people used to scoff at fridge vent fans to increase a fridges performance, yet lots of people now swear by them.
- Sep 23, 2013
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I believe there are two versions of the 30A Victron B2B. The first one did get very warm. Later ones have a larger heat sink.
Just being introduced now is the new 50A model, which is a complete redesign & apparently does not run as hot as the earlier design.
Just being introduced now is the new 50A model, which is a complete redesign & apparently does not run as hot as the earlier design.
We have this Victron Energy DC-DC Charger: Orion-Tr Smart 12/12-30A (360W) - Isolated
on our set up with a 2000 Multiplus inverter charger. All in quite a small space however the bottom of the compartment is open to the double floor.
I purchased a twin fan to fit in the floor if required but haven’t needed to yet I am waiting until we use it in warmer temperatures before I make the decision as to whether its required.
on our set up with a 2000 Multiplus inverter charger. All in quite a small space however the bottom of the compartment is open to the double floor.
I purchased a twin fan to fit in the floor if required but haven’t needed to yet I am waiting until we use it in warmer temperatures before I make the decision as to whether its required.
Or covered by caveats that says dont mount xxxxxxxx in these xxxxxx conditions. Votronics b2b is compact and has a fan. i mounted it on 25mm square extrusion on mounting plane to allow extra air flow over heat sink. Depends on defination of adequate ventilation. Is underfloor mounting adequate ventilation?
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