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Yes, DC-DC charging is the best electrical upgrade we have made, period! We use it, connect the cables every time we tow. For those of us who travel in a series of short stays (average 1-3 overnights) you'll never need to plug-in again (given 600+ Ah lithium). We spent about the same money on our DC-DC charging system that we spent in adding a 400W suitcase solar system. We've used extra solar rarely, on the rare occasions when we stay in one place longer than 3 days. The DC-DC charger is a better investment than additional solar. BTW, my issue here was in my failure to configure the engine shutdown detection voltage parameters. Geoff pointed me to the issue. The YouTube video I posted above got me to fully understand the settings. I reconfigured voltage settings in a minute and we're back to getting 40+A. That's +40 Ah added to battery SOC for every hour on the road.

Go to the source. Screenprint from the Orion 50A manual (check your 30A manual). Most of us use engine shutdown detection feature vs. this hardwire switch.

@dbp05ret My ourside shower hose was cracked at the outside shower head. I bought a new hose at the local RV store for small money. Used a small adjustable plyers to untighten the connection side inside the Ollie. As I remember it, there was only a rubber washer at that connection. I just had tightened the new hose connection inside and installed the existing faucet head outside on the new hose. EZ.

It would only be worth it for those who pay for Roam Unlimited 12 months a year (then monthly plans are likely the same as the original Mini). This service bundle could be of interest to new full-timers who travel regularly where cell service is limited. We pay the $10/mo Standby Plan 6 months a year and then only what we need when we travel. When you have a viable cell router and antenna you need Starlink much less often. The 5G cell SIM card adds $30/mo to our cell plan which is much less per Gb than Starlink. Regardless, we would not travel without Starlink for when we need it. For those still holding out, now's the time to get the original Mini before this becomes the only available option! The Mini keeps getting cheaper too, now only $149 ($12.41/mo for 12 months). Are they advertising any better performance in their new product? It boots faster and has a built-in quick swap battery (after you buy an extra), and having an extra is truly a must unless you want to be offline every time it needs charging. We have 2 external batteries and plug-in options and when you swap a battery, of course the Mini reboots. If the Mini 2 has hot-swappable batteries, that would be cool!

Lord please bring peace to the our fallen Service Members, and may they be proud of their family that they left behind. GJ 2004 CENTCOM Tiger Team at Qutar before deploying mostly by convoy to multiple locations in Iraq.

Yes, but we have both. Our 2016 hull has Scandvik in the wet bath. I started the thread below asking about replacement parts last year. Our outdoor shower is an ITC part. I purchased the entire assembly recently since the plastic housing was cracked and for the price buying individual parts made less sense to me. This part is identical to the shower assembly I removed: https://itcshopnow.com/products/exterior-shower ITC also sells the Oliver Porch Lights. I purchased one to install a new rear light and a couple extras. When one light fails, I'll install the two new ones on the curbside. https://itcshopnow.com/products/assurance-exterior-flood-light?variant=50392962007319

To ALL my brothers and sisters in arms who have served, and those still serving, thank you for your sacrifices and the freedoms that ALL Americans still enjoy today. Freedom is not Free. Patriot 🇺🇸

We had a blast at our first Oliver Rally! Took the attached photo walking our dog early one morning. What a beautiful venue.

Just remembered that @jd1923 was looking for Scandvik parts a while back for hull 113. So we know they were installing them up until 2016... maybe longer?

I hope this discussion does’t discourage anyone from installing a DC to DC charger, they still are a great addition for off grid boondockers. This thread addressed a couple of unique problems that are not the norm. In most cases, a properly installed charger with default settings will work fine, and I highly recommend them for anyone who has ever found themselves rationing amp hours on a road trip.

The Mini 2 is about to be released! Right now by invitation, but usually to the public soon after. The price includes a year service plan, but what will it be the year after? Built-in Battery. Built-in Wi-Fi. Mini 2 is the next-generation portable Starlink Kit, with a quick-swap battery and built-in Wi-Fi. Press a button and you are online in about 60 seconds. Take it camping, on a boat, on the road, or anywhere you can see the sky. Mini 2 preorders are open by invitation only to select U.S. customers, ahead of the public release. Make sure you are logged in to the Starlink account that received this email to access the preorder page. One Price. A Year of Connectivity. Mini 2 is $999 plus tax, which includes: Mini 2 Kit. Everything you need to get online, including a USB-C power cable and one quick-swap battery. A full year of Roam Unlimited ($2,100 service value). Unlimited data for road trips, streaming, video calls, and more, including in-motion use at speeds up to 100 mph. International travel, up to 30 days at a time. Take Mini 2 abroad and stay connected, included with your Roam Unlimited plan. Secure yours today with a refundable $100 deposit. The remaining $899 plus tax is charged when your Mini 2 ships. Shipments are estimated to begin in mid-December, and this price and year of included service are exclusive to this preorder invitation.

I was having trouble with the Schrader valves getting stuck open from the balancing bead particles. Even after installing the proper valves I still had issues. I just had the beads removed and a standard external weight balance done. Eighty dollars well spent at Discount Tire.

Dang - you're doing a bunch better than I am. I currently have no intent on doing anything with DC to DC charging. However, I still find the discussion interesting. Bill

Who would think that 26 novels could be written involving a Wyoming Game Warden and his family. Even if you haven't had the chance to spend much time in Wyoming, these books are easy to read and are reasonably enjoyable without being overly complicated, trashy or trite. All of these books are available as audio books too. Bill Also, there are a couple of similar series to include a Maine Game Warden and the Walt Longmire series

I think maybe even newer than mine, too. Not sure.

Through this thread, and thanks to the mention by @topgun2 of the suggestion made to him by @mossemi -- I started reading C.J. Box's Joe Pickett series. Now 14 months later, I am working my way through book #26 in the series -- it's the latest one, but I hope it won't be the LAST. I've read them all, in order, and they have been immensely enjoyable! I especially love Box's attention to detail, such that I recognize back roads, forests, mountains and scrub that he uses as the backdrop for this fictional series.

May I assume that the term Older Hulls means older than your 2010 Hull? (As in Hulls 1 - 44)

You guys totally lost me on the H and L pins. Suspect some others are not following that as well. So more AI homework that explains what they do, and how it applies to both the 30 and 50 amp versions: AI Overview No, both units actually share this identical hardware feature. The factory-installed wire loop bridge between the remote L and H pins is present on both the older Victron Orion-Tr Smart 30A and the newer Victron Orion XS 50A models. How It Works on Both Versions: The Factory Setup: Both chargers ship with a small wire bridge (jumper loop) pre-installed into the green remote terminal block connecting the L (Low) and H (High) pins. This loop tricks the charger into remaining in a constant "Remote On" state so it works right out of the box using just its internal engine-shutdown detection settings. Disabling / Customizing: If you want to tie the charger to a physical toggle switch, an ignition-live wire, or a Battery Management System (BMS), you must pull that factory bridge out on either unit to utilize the individual pins. The Real Key Differences: While they share the same style of remote bridge, the Orion XS 50A is a complete, ground-up redesign compared to the older Orion-Tr Smart 30A Efficiency: The 50A model runs at an impressive 98.5% efficiency (meaning it stays incredibly cool and no longer features massive cooling fins), whereas the older 30A model runs at 87% efficiency and gets famously hot to the touch. Connectivity: The 50A unit includes a dedicated VE.Direct port to easily talk to GX devices (like a Cerbo GX), whereas the 30A unit relies purely on Bluetooth for communication. Adjustability: The 50A version allows you to precisely dial down the charging current via the app (from 1A up to 50A to protect weaker alternators, while the older 30A version simply outputs its fixed max capacity when active.

The screen below shows the Orion DC-DC charger is OFF (left frame). When you click on the message, "Why is the charger off?" you get 3 reasons. In the setup, I clicked the app toggle Charger enabled to OFF, the option Geoff had mentioned which is given in see reason #3. Notice the warning message when using the app switch to disable charging (middle frame). As soon as the TV ignition key is turned OFF reason #8 will appear since the engine detection will immediately show <12.9V (configurable). A sitting lead acid starter battery in good condition should read about 12.6V. Reason #1 is Low Input Voltage which occurs as soon as you physically disconnect the DC-DC cables at the Andersen terminal at the bumper. You can see that looking at the first screen where it shows 13.5V on house batteries and 0.0V on the starter battery since it is disconnected. A 4th method to turn off the Orion, e.g. for servicing the system is the 60A breaker connecting the charger output to the +bus. 😎

In a nut shell: 1. "Keeps it in place especially for rough surfaces, not level areas or hard braking:" Ok so 99% of owners are out of spec in our normal use of our trailers. 2. So when it breaks, we can expect to see "Movement while Traveling": OK, so basically it is going to be moving about while traveling. And per OTT that's evidently not a life safety hazard. 3. An traveling on such roads will cause "Damage" if it broken: Damage is bad. A broken water line while traveling is not that big of a deal unless you left the pump on. So don't do that. But a broken gas line is not acceptable to the vast majority of breathing owners. If that's their end position on this subject, I feel it is a bit short sighted from a legal, ethical, and customer service perspective. PS: I really like the strapping with marine board and/or with romex. GJ

We bought Tochta twin mattresses in 2020, like them very much. Used the custom build option, they fit the curved radius well. I don’t have the old order, but I think we ordered the Utopia model in Firm, 10” thickness. If I had to buy them again, I think I would get the 6”, or maybe the 8”. They are a bit too thick and heavy to manage and sit on, and I think they would be just as comfortable. We have HyperVent underneath and on the edges. Looks like a good Veterans Day Sale.

We upgraded from the OEM foam pads in the Spring of '25 and absolutely love the Tochta mattresses. After having spinal fusion surgery this past August, my wife is in the process of a year long recovery process, and sleeping comfortably has been a challenge. Between sleeping in a recliner, sleeping on our high end mattress on our bed and sleeping in the Oliver on the Tochta mattress, she says the mattress in the Oliver is by far her most comfortable sleep. I also feel it's a very comfortable mattress for me as well. I'm 6'2" and just under 200# and completely comfortable when sleep in the Oliver since the upgrade.

Checked ours today and found only one strap and it was located in the center of the back of the Truma, top to bottom. It was still in tact.

We have Tochta and are very happy with ours

We were watching an electrical upgrade on an RV, and in one of the drone shots, Deb spotted an Oliver in the background. Check out IreneIronTravels YouTube channel to see it 27:30 into the video.