Isolator Questions

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

Keeps my lights from dimming without upgrading and limits the amount of 1/0 I have to run to the back because only power from the alt. will be going to the back.

an isolator wont fix that

 

[gotparts90 10+ year member]

Well the way the isolator was explained to me was that the alt charges both sets of batteries but they are not directly connected. The alt I believe still charges the batts.

no those stinger ones with 2 posts make the batteries connected when closed. The kind that you refer to that keep the separate are the kind you find on rvs an some boats. the ones that loopkiller posted with 3 posts are the ones you want for what you are looking for

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

Stinger makes both Diode and Solenoid type isolators. Those eBay links were for Solenoid types which only isolate the batteries when the engine is turned off. Diode style relays always keep the batteries separate. You should look for a diode based isolator IMO. The only downside to the diode based isolators is that you will lose around half a volt using it. So it is recommended that you increase your alt output voltage to 15.0~15.5v to offset the loss.

EDIT: I just researched another new style of isolator that is based on FETs instead of diodes. ARGO makes some, but I have not found a US source yet. I will keep looking and let you know what I find. LINK. They only go up to a 200a model as far as I can tell though.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

an isolator wont fix that

no those stinger ones with 2 posts make the batteries connected when closed. The kind that you refer to that keep the separate are the kind you find on rvs an some boats. the ones that loopkiller posted with 3 posts are the ones you want for what you are looking for

Ok I posted the wrong kind then.

The one I was talking about has 3 post: 1 for alt, 1 for front battery and 1 for the back ones.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Or this is what I'm looking for (I think):

http://www.ase-supply.com/product_p/sp-31922.htm

 

[hrtbrk1 5,000+ posts]

im lost again

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

im lost again

It's an 240a isolator.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Stinger makes both Diode and Solenoid type isolators. Those eBay links were for Solenoid types which only isolate the batteries when the engine is turned off. Diode style relays always keep the batteries separate. You should look for a diode based isolator IMO. The only downside to the diode based isolators is that you will lose around half a volt using it. So it is recommended that you increase your alt output voltage to 15.0~15.5v to offset the loss.
EDIT: I just researched another new style of isolator that is based on FETs instead of diodes. ARGO makes some, but I have not found a US source yet. I will keep looking and let you know what I find. LINK. They only go up to a 200a model as far as I can tell though.

So it's a diode that I'm looking for.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

A relay and an isolator are different..one is an electric switch while the other uses diodes to isolate current flow to each set of batteries.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

A relay and an isolator are different..one is an electric switch while the other uses diodes to isolate current flow to each set of batteries.

I'm talking about an isolator. Not a relay.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

I'm talking about an isolator. Not a relay.

I know but you had a relay posted up a page back

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

I know but you had a relay posted up a page back

Ya I didn't realize that was a relay. This is what I think I'm looking for: http://www.ase-supply.com/product_p/sp-31922.htm

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

That is the one Buck! Not a bad price either. =)

 

[gotparts90 10+ year member]

since the amp rating of the relay type is greater than 10 or 20 amps most people I know would argue it is a contactor. The diode type is a true isolator the stinger little 2 posts are the best IMO for basic car audio in which you just want to keep the rear bank separate while the car is not running. The 3-4 post isolators do have that little voltage drop and I have never seen one hooked up to car audio only in a ham radio car.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

That is the one Buck! Not a bad price either. =)

Is there like a 300a one?