This Victron Phoenix Smart IP43 charger review looks at Victron’s mounted AC battery charger for boats, RVs and workshops. It sits between the portable Blue Smart chargers and a full inverter/charger. Victron’s current datasheet names it the “Smart IP43 Charger.” Every spec here comes from that datasheet.
Victron Phoenix Smart IP43 Charger Review: Specs
| 12/30 | 12/50 | 24/16 | 24/25 | 36/15 | 48/13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charge current | 30A | 50A | 16A | 25A | 15A | 13A |
| Low-current mode | 15A | 25A | 8A | 12.5A | 7.5A | 6.5A |
| Versions | (1+1), (3) | (1+1), (3) | (1+1), (3) | (1+1), (3) | (1) | (1) |
| Max efficiency (230/120V AC) | 95/93% | 94/92% | 96/94% | 96/94% | 96/94% | 96/94% |
Source: Victron Smart IP43 Charger 120–240V datasheet.
Common specs: 85–250V AC input (full power from 100V AC), 90–375V DC input, power factor above 0.99, 1W no-load draw, IP43 rating, 2.7kg (6 lb), and 16mm² (AWG6) screw terminals.
The Output Versions
- (1): a single output.
- (1+1): a main output plus a roughly 4A starter-battery output at a slightly lower voltage.
- (3): three full-current outputs. The three combined can’t exceed the charger’s rated current.
Features
- Adaptive charging with 6 stages (3 for lithium). A Li-ion setting charges at 14.2V absorption with 13.5V storage.
- Normal and High modes at 14.4V and 14.7V absorption, with 13.8V float.
- Storage mode after 24 hours without discharge, at 13.2V (Normal), to reduce gassing.
- Programmable relay, rated 5A up to 250V AC or 28V DC.
- Input current limit adjustable from 3A to 10A, handy on weak shore power.
- VE.Smart Networking: a SmartShunt, BMV-712 or Smart Battery Sense can send the battery’s real voltage and temperature. Several IP43 chargers can also sync their charging.
- Remote on/off for control from a lithium BMS.
Who It’s For
- Boats with several banks: the (3) version charges house, starter and thruster batteries.
- RVs replacing an old converter-charger, if you don’t need an inverter.
- 24V and 48V systems that need a strong AC charger.
Sizing Tip
Check your battery maker’s recommended charge current, then pick the model just under it. A big bank on a small charger takes ages to refill on shore power, and a big charger on a small bank can go over the battery’s limit. Low-current mode halves the output, which helps when one charger serves banks of different sizes.
Good to Know Before You Buy
The AC cord is sold separately (NEMA 5-15P in the US). IP43 protects against splashes but not jets. It doesn’t invert, so look at a MultiPlus if you need AC power off-grid.
Victron’s Phoenix Smart IP43 Charger product page has the full datasheet and manual downloads.
Worked Example: A Boat With Three Banks
A cruising boat has a 400Ah house bank, a 100Ah starter battery and a 100Ah bow-thruster battery, all 12V lead-acid. The 12/50 (3) charges all three, with up to 50A shared between the outputs. After a weekend at anchor, the house bank needs about 200Ah while the other two need very little.
- Bulk time for the house bank: around 200Ah ÷ 45A ≈ 4.5 hours, since nearly all the current goes to the bank that needs it, plus absorption time.
- Starter and thruster: topped up alongside and held in float or storage.
Estimates; real times depend on battery condition and temperature. Overnight on shore power, everything is full by morning.
Worked Example: An RV Converter Replacement
A travel trailer with a 200Ah LiFePO4 battery rated for 100A charging. The 12/50 (1+1) on the Li-ion preset charges the house battery at up to 50A, and the small ~4A output maintains the tow vehicle or a separate battery if needed. From 20% to full is about 160Ah, or roughly 3.2 hours of bulk plus a short absorption (estimate). On a weak campground pedestal, the adjustable input current limit (3–10A) keeps the charger from tripping the breaker.
Input Current Limit in Practice
At 120V, the 12/50 at full output draws roughly 50A × 14.4V ÷ 0.92 ≈ 780W from the AC supply, or about 6.5A (estimate). Setting a 5A input limit reduces charge current accordingly, which helps when a small generator or shared outlet also powers other loads.
Setting Up With VictronConnect
- Open the charger in VictronConnect over its built-in Bluetooth.
- Choose the battery preset: Normal, High, Li-ion or a user-defined profile with your battery maker’s voltages.
- Set the maximum charge current, or turn on low-current mode for small banks.
- Configure the relay, for example as an alarm or to signal that charging is complete.
- Enable VE.Smart Networking with a SmartShunt or Smart Battery Sense for accurate voltage and temperature compensation.
Mounting
The IP43 charger is designed to be mounted on a wall or bulkhead. Leave space around it for air to flow over the heat sink, keep the battery cables short and use the 16mm² (AWG6) terminals for the full 50A models. Fuse each battery cable close to the battery.
Comparing Victron AC Chargers
| Charger | Typical use | Outputs |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Smart IP22 | Portable or fixed, indoor | 1 or 3 |
| Blue Smart IP65 | Portable, splash-proof | 1 |
| Smart IP43 | Fixed install, higher current | (1), (1+1) or (3) |
| MultiPlus-II | Charger plus inverter and transfer switch | 1 main, 1 starter |
The IP43 is the step up when you need more charge current or several full-current outputs.
Choosing Between the (1+1) and (3) Versions
The (1+1) suits most RVs and vans: one main bank plus a small maintenance output for a starter battery. The (3) suits boats and larger rigs with two or three banks that each need a full charge, such as house, starter and thruster batteries. Both share the same total current, so pick the model size first, then the output version.
Lithium Setup Notes
For LiFePO4, choose the Li-ion preset or enter your battery maker’s absorption and float voltages, and connect the remote on/off terminals to your BMS so it can stop charging if needed. Set the maximum charge current at or below the battery’s recommended rate.
FAQ
Can the IP43 charger run on 240V?
Yes. It accepts 85–250V AC.
Does it charge LiFePO4?
Yes. Select the Li-ion preset, and use the remote on/off with your BMS.
Can I use the IP43 charger as a power supply?
Victron’s datasheet includes a power supply mode, which lets it supply DC loads without a battery connected, such as for testing or bench use.
Does it support temperature compensation?
Yes. With a Smart Battery Sense, SmartShunt or BMV-712 over VE.Smart Networking, it uses the battery’s real temperature.
Sources: Victron Smart IP43 Charger 120–240V datasheet; product page, victronenergy.com, accessed Oct 2026.
Related: LiTime 12V 20A Lithium Battery Charger Review, MHPOWOS Solar Battery Trickle Charger Review, LiTime 12V 50Ah LiFePO4 Battery Review, plus the Victron Energy Guide