New "Emergency Reverse Charge" feature added to Orion XS with firmware release v1.15

Posted by Peter Kennedy on 9/24/2026 to System Integration

Orion XS firmware version 1.15 adds an emergency reverse charge function to the full Orion XS range: the 12/12-50A, the 12/12-70A, and the 1400. It requires VictronConnect app firmware v6.43, which was released September 24th of 2026

If the starter battery is too flat to crank the engine, the Orion XS can now charge it from the auxiliary battery. When the feature is activated, the charger temporarily reverses its charge direction. This is the first of several reverse charging features planned for the Orion XS range.

How it works

The feature is started from the VictronConnect app by tapping the new engine starter charge icon on the Status screen.

The Orion XS reverse charges for 15 minutes, then stops for a 5-minute settling period with the charger disabled. During the settling period, the engine can be cranked again.

Key points

The function is available when the charger has stopped forward charging. This occurs when the input voltage lockout is active, or when the Orion XS has detected engine shutdown.
The function also works when the device is in the remote-off state, so it remains usable when remote off is wired to stop forward charging only.
The Orion XS charges the starter battery, connected to its input, to a maximum of 14.4 V. On the Orion XS 1400 with a 24 V starter battery, the maximum is 28.8 V.
The maximum reverse charge current is whichever is lower: the configured current limit, or half the rated current of the device. The Orion XS reduces the reverse charge current if the voltage of the auxiliary battery, connected to its output, drops too far. The multi-voltage Orion XS 1400 gets a new setting to select a 12 V or 24 V starter battery. This can be set in advance in Product Settings; otherwise, VictronConnect will prompt for a selection the first time the feature is used.
For more information see the Orion XS manual.

How to install this update?

The new firmware version is available in the VictronConnect app. Before you update the firmware remember you have to first upgrade the VictronConnect App itself. It can also be installed remotely via the VRM Portal; see the Remote Firmware Update Manual for details.

What products does this work with?

For now this upgrade is limited to the following products, however the press announcement from Victron seems to indicate additional products will be added later.