Five in-vehicle DC-DC battery chargers from Victron, Hard Korr, Enerdrive, Projecta and REDARC, compared on charge output, solar input, battery compatibility and build. For anyone running a dual battery setup in a 4WD, ute canopy or camper trailer.
Charge output, alternator input, solar charging, battery compatibility, waterproofing, monitoring, and size compared across all five chargers.
|
Outback Equipment
Compare the specs
|
 Victron
$424.99
View product |
 Hard Korr
$398.5
View product |
 Enerdrive
$528.5
View product |
 Projecta
$598.5
View product |
 Redarc
$589
View product |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max charge output | 30A continuous (40A for 10 sec) | 40A | 40A (5–50A selectable) | 25A | 40A |
| Alternator input | 12V systems (10–17VDC input) | 12V and 24V systems (9–32V input) | 12V or 24V systems (10.5–16V / 21–32V input) | 12–24V systems | 12V/24V standard and smart alternators (9–32VDC input) |
| Solar input (MPPT) | No | Yes. 10–32V, inbuilt MPPT | Yes. 14.5–45Voc, up to 800W, dedicated MPPT | Yes. MPPT, charges from solar and alternator simultaneously | Yes. MPPT with Green Power Priority, charges from solar and alternator simultaneously |
| Battery types | Lead-acid, Lithium | SLA, AGM, Gel, Calcium, LiFePO4 | Gel, AGM, Flooded, Lithium, custom programmable | Lithium (LiFePO₄), AGM, Gel, Wet, Calcium | AGM, Gel, standard lead acid, Calcium, LiFePO4 |
| Waterproof rating | IP65 | IP66, alloy housing | Not stated | IP68 and IP69K, fully potted | Yes (Official IP rating not stated though) |
| Monitoring and control | Bluetooth app | Front panel mode selector | LCD display showing source, status, voltage and amperage | Intelli-IQ display plus smartphone app | Front intergrated display panel (or REDARC Smart Battery Monitor sold seperately) |
| Dimensions and weight | 205 x 130 x 95mm, 1.8kg | 183 x 129.3 x 46.4mm | 242 x 172 x 74mm, 1.85kg | 149 x 122 x 42 mm, 1.18kg | 165 x 120 x 37mm, 0.85kg |
Match the charge output to your auxiliary battery bank. A 25A charger suits a single battery around 100Ah, while 40A units suit larger banks or lithium batteries that accept a faster charge. Bigger output also means more current draw from the alternator, so check your vehicle can supply it.
Yes. Smart (variable voltage) alternators drop their output once the start battery is charged, which leaves an auxiliary battery sitting well short of full. A DC-DC charger boosts that input back up to the correct charge voltage. Chargers on this page such as the REDARC BCDC1240D, Victron Orion-Tr Smart and Hard Korr 40A state support for both standard and smart alternators.
All five chargers compared here list lithium compatibility. Select the lithium charge profile so the charger hits the correct absorption and float voltages, and check your battery BMS accepts the charge current. The Projecta IDC25XIQ also includes a lithium wake-up mode for batteries whose BMS has shut down.
WITH HUMM
Shop up to $2,000.00 and pay only $61.54 per week for 6 months.
WITH UP TO 12 MONTHS TO PAY
Shop up to $3,000.00 and pay only $46.15 per week for 12 months.
All you need to qualify is:
1) To be over 18 years of age.
2) Be an Australian permanent resident.
3) Have a valid form of identification (Australian Drivers License; Aged Pension Card; or Veteran's Pension Card).
4) Payment Type in your name (credit, debit or bank account).
For more information and to get set-up today, call our local customer support team on 1300 854 185
*Minimum deposit of 20% required. Weekly payments are calculated on a rate excluding a 20% initial deposit. Terms and conditions apply.