For best results, align power usage needs with an isolator's capabilities. Simply turning on these inverters can draw a measurable amount of power. Inverters designed to run laptops, phone chargers, or camera equipment may need to be on for hours at a time. An item used intermittently will draw more power than one that is powered on and unused for long periods of time. When selecting an isolator, it is helpful to calculate the charging load in order to determine the amount of power being used by each appliance. They also help avoid full discharge of auxiliary batteries, which is harmful to battery lifespan and can occur when no low voltage cut-off mechanism is used. By programming the isolator's disconnect points, battery discharge is managed to extract maximum power. Programmable isolators: Isolators of this type work well if the goal is to extend a power supply as much as possible. The timer prevents rapid switching of the solenoid, which has the potential for load spikes in the alternator and arcing, along with functional degradation of the solenoid. Only after it has reached an acceptable voltage level and a timer has elapsed are the auxiliary batteries linked to the charging process. Using this approach enables the starter battery alone to charge initially. Smart isolators: These isolators use predetermined points for switching to control the linking and delinking of a solenoid. This reduces the power that can be received from batteries on the system unless measures are taken to circumvent the voltage drop. Blocking diodes that serve to split the charges to each battery perform this function but at the cost of a drop in voltage from the alternator to the batteries. Ignition-switched solenoid: These battery isolators work on the same principle as the manual switch variety but are turned on and off at ignition.ĭiode-style isolator: These isolator systems can protect a starting battery and extend the power available for other purposes, such as powering auxiliary batteries to run lights or a refrigerator. It can also place added demand on the alternator immediately after starting the engine, as it works to charge both the starter and auxiliary battery. It can create additional power demands on the starter battery when the auxiliary battery has diminished power after heavy use. The basic dual battery switch approach has other limitations. If this task is overlooked it can easily lead to a drained battery. While they can be quite effective, they normally require opening the hood to engage or disengage. Manual switch: This isolator is turned off and on from a switch near the ignition. This may lead to charging that is less robust than normal. A charging source that monitors its output, such as a regulated one, senses the voltage occurring at the battery is lower than the voltage experienced at the charger. To prevent this a battery isolator segregates the charging process for each battery.īattery isolators are constructed using silicon diodes that act as check valves they experience a voltage drop approximating 0.7 volts through the diodes. However, this presents the risk of auxiliary batteries draining the charge from the main starting battery. The alternator already present in a vehicle or boat is allocated for this purpose. Often referred to as house or auxiliary batteries, these units also need to be recharged. Vehicles such as RVs and boats require additional batteries to provide power for other devices such as refrigerators, lights, and inverters. An alternator provides power when the engine begins running. However, this battery is not intended to be used for constant deep discharge cycles. In diode-type isolators, a further drop in voltage is expected to occur in the circuit linking the charging source to the batteries.Ī starting or chassis battery in a vehicle is enough to power an engine, headlights and other parts such as engine computers. While an isolator forestalls this problem, it comes with added expense and also complicates the battery charging process. When this occurs, the weaker battery drains the charge from the stronger one when directly linked. It provides a simultaneous charge to multiple batteries from one power source, such as an alternator, without requiring connection of the battery terminals in parallel.Ī battery isolator avoids the danger of connecting a weak or dead battery to a stronger one. A battery isolator splits direct current (DC) and divides it into multiple branches, allowing current to proceed in a single direction exclusively in each branch.
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