Victron Blue Smart IP22 Charger: Setup for Campervans

The Victron Blue Smart IP22 is the most popular shore power battery charger for UK campervans. It takes 230V mains from your campsite hook-up and delivers a proper multi-stage charge to your leisure battery — far superior to cheap automotive chargers that were never designed for daily use in a campervan.

This guide covers everything from choosing the right model to configuring it via the Bluetooth app. For the broader shore power setup — inlet, consumer unit, and wiring — see our campervan shore power guide and the shore power inlet installation guide. Use the VanPower calculator to size your complete charging system.

Why the Victron IP22?

There are cheaper 230V battery chargers available. Here is why the IP22 is worth the premium:

Proper Multi-Stage Charging

The IP22 uses Victron's adaptive charging algorithm with multiple stages:

1. Bulk: Full current output until the battery reaches the absorption voltage.
2. Absorption: Holds the voltage constant while current gradually decreases. This phase fully saturates the battery.
3. Float: Reduces voltage to a maintenance level, keeping the battery at 100% without overcharging.
4. Storage (lead-acid only): After 24 hours, the charger reduces to a lower storage voltage to prevent electrolyte loss.

Cheap chargers often skip or abbreviate the absorption phase, leaving your battery at 80-90% charge and reducing its lifespan.

Bluetooth Monitoring

The VictronConnect app (free, iOS and Android) lets you:

• Monitor charging stage, voltage, current, and temperature in real time
• View charging history (useful for diagnosing problems)
• Select and customise battery charging profiles
• Update the charger's firmware

Battery Profile Options

The IP22 supports preset and custom profiles:

• LiFePO4 (the Fogstar Drift and most lithium leisure batteries)
• AGM spiral cell (Optima-type)
• AGM deep cycle
• GEL
• Flooded lead-acid
• Custom (you set all voltages manually)

Build Quality

IP22-rated (splash-proof), aluminium body, designed for permanent installation in a vehicle or boat. It will handle the vibration and temperature swings of van life without complaint.

Which Model to Choose

The IP22 comes in several configurations:

Our Recommendation

• Most campervans with 100-200Ah LiFePO4: The IP22 12/30 (1 output) is the best balance of speed and cost. 30A charges a 200Ah battery from 50% to 100% in roughly 3.5 hours.
• Smaller systems (under 100Ah): The IP22 12/15 saves £25-£40 and is perfectly adequate.
• Multiple batteries: The 3-output model can charge a leisure battery, starter battery, and a third battery (e.g., a bow thruster battery on a van-boat combo) simultaneously, sharing the 30A total output.

Installation

Mounting Location

The IP22 is designed for permanent installation. Mount it:

• Indoors (inside the van) — near the leisure battery and consumer unit
• Vertically on a wall — the unit is designed for vertical mounting with the cable entries at the bottom
• With ventilation — it generates heat under load (up to 50W waste heat at 30A). Ensure air can circulate
• Away from the battery — chargers can produce tiny sparks at the terminals. Keep at least 300mm from lead-acid batteries (not a concern with sealed LiFePO4)

Power Input (230V Side)

The IP22 has a standard IEC C14 inlet (the same as a desktop computer). You have two options:

Option A: Plug-in with IEC lead Use a standard IEC C13 power lead with a UK 3-pin plug. Plug this into a 230V socket in your van that is protected by your consumer unit's MCB and RCD. This is the simplest approach and lets you unplug the charger easily.

Option B: Hardwired Wire the 230V supply directly from an MCB in your consumer unit to the charger using a hardwired IEC connector. This is neater but makes removal harder.

Power Output (12V Side)

The charger's output connects to your leisure battery:

1. Positive output cable to the leisure battery positive terminal (via a fuse — 40A for the 30A model).
2. Negative output cable to the leisure battery negative terminal.

Use appropriately sized cable — 6mm² for the 30A model with cable runs under 2 metres. For longer runs, size up.

Wiring Diagram

Consumer Unit (MCB 10A)
        ↓ (230V, 2.5mm² 3-core)
    IEC Power Lead
        ↓
  Victron IP22 Charger
        ↓ (12V, 6mm² positive + negative)
    40A Inline Fuse
        ↓
  Leisure Battery (+)

Bluetooth Configuration

First Connection

1. Download the VictronConnect app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Power on the IP22 (connect it to 230V mains).
3. Open the app and it will discover the charger via Bluetooth.
4. The default PIN is 000000 (six zeros). You can change this later.
5. Tap to connect.

Setting the Battery Profile

This is the most important configuration step:

1. In the app, go to Settings.
2. Select Battery preset.
3. Choose the profile that matches your battery:
   • For Fogstar Drift or most LiFePO4: Select "LiFePO4"
   • For AGM: Select "AGM deep cycle" or "AGM spiral cell" (Optima-type)
   • For GEL: Select "GEL Victron Deep Discharge"

The default LiFePO4 profile uses:

• Absorption voltage: 14.2V
• Float voltage: 13.5V
• Charge current: Maximum (15A or 30A depending on model)

If your battery manufacturer specifies different voltages, create a custom profile.

Advanced Settings

• Charge current limit: You can reduce the charge current below the maximum. Useful if your campsite supply is limited or you want to reduce heat output.
• Temperature compensation: Enable for lead-acid batteries, disable for LiFePO4 (lithium manages temperature via its BMS).
• Low current mode: Forces the charger to reduce output to half its rated current. Useful on low-amperage campsite supplies.

Using the IP22 Day-to-Day

On a Campsite

1. Connect your hook-up cable from the campsite post to your van's shore power inlet.
2. The IP22 will automatically start charging your leisure battery.
3. Monitor progress in the VictronConnect app — you can see the charging stage, voltage, current, and estimated time to full.
4. When the battery reaches 100%, the charger transitions to float mode and holds the battery at full charge with minimal current.

Leaving the Charger Running

The IP22 is designed to be left connected indefinitely. Its float and storage modes prevent overcharging. If you store your van at home on shore power, the charger will maintain the battery at 100% without damage.

For LiFePO4 batteries, long-term storage at 100% is not ideal (most manufacturers recommend 50-80% for storage). If you plan to leave the van plugged in for weeks, consider using the app to set a custom storage voltage of 13.2V (approximately 60% state of charge for LiFePO4).

Without Shore Power

When not connected to mains, the IP22 draws no power from your 12V battery. It simply sits dormant until 230V is available again.

Can I Use a Cheaper Charger?

You can, but there are trade-offs:

Budget alternatives:

• NOCO Genius10/Genius20: Cheaper (£60-£100), reasonable quality, but no Bluetooth and less precise charging profiles.
• Ring RSCDC30: Budget option (£40-£60), basic three-stage charging, no app control.
• Generic Amazon chargers: We do not recommend these. Poor voltage regulation, no proper absorption phase, and unreliable build quality. They will shorten your battery's life.

The Victron IP22 costs more (£90-£150) but provides genuine multi-stage charging that maximises battery life and performance. Given that your leisure battery costs £200-£800, spending an extra £50-£80 on the charger is a sound investment.

Troubleshooting

Charger Shows "Low Battery" and Will Not Charge

The IP22 will not start charging if the battery voltage is below approximately 10V. This is a safety feature — a deeply discharged battery may have internal damage. Try charging the battery with a dedicated recovery charger first, or check the battery with a multimeter.

Charger Gets Very Hot

At full output (30A), the IP22 generates significant waste heat. Ensure it is mounted with adequate ventilation. If the unit overheats, it will reduce output (thermal derating) rather than shut down.

Bluetooth Will Not Connect

• Ensure you are within 5-10 metres of the charger
• Check that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone
• Try closing and reopening the VictronConnect app
• If the charger has been paired with another device, it may need to be unpaired first (hold the MODE button for 10 seconds to reset Bluetooth)

RCD Trips When Charger Starts

Some RCDs (particularly Type AC) can trip due to the charger's switch-mode power supply producing a small DC component in the earth leakage current. Use a Type A RCD in your consumer unit — this is the correct specification for campervan installations and handles DC components.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the IP22 with a lithium (LiFePO4) battery?

Yes. The IP22 has a dedicated LiFePO4 charging profile. It delivers the correct absorption and float voltages for lithium chemistry.

Can I charge while running 230V appliances on shore power?

Yes. The charger draws about 400W (for the 30A model) from a campsite supply that provides 3.6kW (16A). You have plenty of headroom for other appliances.

Does the IP22 work with 110V?

No. The standard IP22 is 230V input only. If you need 110V compatibility (e.g., for North American campgrounds), you need the IP22 110V model, which is less common in the UK.

How long will the IP22 last?

Victron products are built for marine and off-grid use and typically last 10+ years. The company has a strong reputation for reliability and offers a 5-year warranty.

Can I run the IP22 from my house socket to charge the van on my driveway?

Yes — this is one of the most common use cases. See can I charge my campervan from my house for the full setup guide, including cable options for running power from your house to your driveway.