I killed an isolator???

[Xprime4 10+ year member]

OK, I'll give it a shot!
A battery isolator will allow you to completely discharge one battery without discharging the starting battery. There are basically 2 types; diode and solenoid (relay). Solenoid is more popular than diode because diode based isolators cause a .4 to .6 volt loss which means that the batteries will not charge to as high a voltage as when they are connected directly to the alternator. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/nerd.gif.c6fa51ddf7ff75f1c0371fbc648f70ae.gif

Pretty accurate. It acts like a relay and it turn on with the ignition signal.

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

What's the total wattage in your system?

 

[smoka 10+ year member]

I doubt anyone here knows what an isolator actually is...

ya, cause its really complicated //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[Xprime4 10+ year member]

running a bxi2006d and a mbquart 300x2 amp for my frontstage.

I listen to my music alot with the car off and this is where the isolator become usefull. I'll start no mather what. And with the hard winters we got, a low charged hood battery ain't good at all....

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

Checked your build thread. Nice job...loved the pic with the beer in the back! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

Brought back memories of my latest build. Egads. Thought it would take a little over a day...took more like 6! And I'm still fine tuning it. Dis shit is addictive!! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Xprime4 10+ year member]

Checked your build thread. Nice job...loved the pic with the beer in the back! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif
Brought back memories of my latest build. Egads. Thought it would take a little over a day...took more like 6! And I'm still fine tuning it. Dis shit is addictive!! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Build and Beer ftw:laugh:

I can't work on my car without one or twelve...

I'm kinda worried about Mechman comment though, that doesn't really sound professional coming from someone whos working in the industry

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

I'm kinda worried about Mechman comment though, that doesn't really sound professional coming from someone whos working in the industry

His reasoning is simple. There is no real need for an isolator in car audio applications, with the possible exception of listening for extended periods without access to an electrical outlet

Solenoid isolators can and will fail and in which case can cause you problems (these are not considered isolators in the traditional sense) and diode isolators cause unneccesary voltage drop which in itself can cause problems.

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

I have never used an isolator.......ever. I don't care how many people say to use one.

Never had one problem either.