Isolator or relay for dual battery system???
#1
Isolator or relay for dual battery system???
I was wondering if someone can tell me what the difference is between installing a battery isolator and just installing a relay between the batteries on a dual battery system. I'm getting ready to put one on my bronco. In the past I've used an isolator, but Wrangler NW and Painless Wiring sell these relay or solinoid kits that seem to do the same thing as an isolator. The relays of course allow you to "jump" your primary battery from your secondary if need be. Anybody know why I can't just install an isolator and then a cheap Ford starter solinoid between the two to "jump" the primary if I need to? Thanks!
#2
Isolator or relay for dual battery system???
Sure,AFAIK There's no reason why Not ?
The wire would have to be fairly large though.
0 - 4 gauge.
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#3
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Comox Valley, Canada
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Isolator or relay for dual battery system???
Isolators are the better choice IMHO. They keep the two batteries separate, so if one goes dead it doesnt take the other one down with it. Relays can accomplish the same thing but have more moving parts so hence are more prone to failure and the batteries are actually electrically connected to each other when charging. With an isloator they are never connected together, they are protected from each other by "big honking diodes" or something very similar
If you add a relay, I would go with a starter relay. It will handle the power of a "jump start" and is fairly cheap. I would also go with a momentary switch to close the relay. That way you wont forget and leave it on thus bypassing the isolator.
I guess one of the the main differences is the price. Relays are about $15Cdn while isolators run around $80Cdn.
Sparky
If you add a relay, I would go with a starter relay. It will handle the power of a "jump start" and is fairly cheap. I would also go with a momentary switch to close the relay. That way you wont forget and leave it on thus bypassing the isolator.
I guess one of the the main differences is the price. Relays are about $15Cdn while isolators run around $80Cdn.
Sparky
#5
#6
Isolator or relay for dual battery system???
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Feb-02 AT 04:13 PM (EST)]Go for the isolator you will not regret it. I've got one in my truck and it works perfectly. And the wiring your talking about will work just fine. I've got my secondary battery wired to a starter relay then to my main relay. I've got it set up so that all I have to do is flip a switch in the cab and my second batt is giving my main batt a jump start. Also i would go with just a regular switch so that if your alt gives out for what ever reason you have more battery power to get you home.
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#9
Join Date: Jun 1999
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Isolator or relay for dual battery system???
That depends on a few things. The alternator is capable of putting out 130amps but it doesnt put it out unless you need it. So it will depend on what loads you have on the alternator.
If you draw more current than the isolator is rated at you will "blow" the diodes, if it is in fact diodes inside I do not really know but I think diodes are probably in them never cut one apart....yet
If your alternator is putting out 130 amps but the load is split between the two batteries charging circuits, say 65 amps each battery, then a 90 amp rated isolator would be fine.
As I said it all depends..... mainly on how the electrical circuits in your truck are split up. If possible run the high demand loads, like winches, lights, power seats, microwaves, hot tubs, etc evenly split between the batteries.
Sparky
If you draw more current than the isolator is rated at you will "blow" the diodes, if it is in fact diodes inside I do not really know but I think diodes are probably in them never cut one apart....yet
If your alternator is putting out 130 amps but the load is split between the two batteries charging circuits, say 65 amps each battery, then a 90 amp rated isolator would be fine.
As I said it all depends..... mainly on how the electrical circuits in your truck are split up. If possible run the high demand loads, like winches, lights, power seats, microwaves, hot tubs, etc evenly split between the batteries.
Sparky
#11
Isolator or relay for dual battery system???
Just one more thought,use the Isolator for the charging, Solenoids as the Ford starter solenoid is ment for intermittent use, (more moving parts as Sparky noted) not continuous use as using for a charging circuit, had repaired a Motorhome with a circuit problem to find that it had from the Factory in this Ford E-van chassis a starter Solenoid that stuck and fried the wiring back to the refridgerator, cost for repairs was around 1000 bucks, use the Isolator. Electric1
#12
Isolator or relay for dual battery system???
If you have the time, you may want to check out "Hellroaring Technologies". Their battery isolation system is excellent. It's not cheap, around $150. But the function may be worth it.
Anyway, it cant hurt to visit their website. its educational
www.hellroaring.com
good luck
Anyway, it cant hurt to visit their website. its educational
www.hellroaring.com
good luck
#13
Isolator or relay for dual battery system???
Thanks, I looked at the Hellroaring site and the "isolator" they have seems to just be a solid-state relay. It connects both batteries together when the truck's running. I like the true isolator idea because it keep my deep cycle and starting battery separated but charged at all times. Thanks!
#14
#15
Isolator or relay for dual battery system???
>A common starter solenoid has a 3.5~4 ohm coil, a "contiouous duty" solenoid, like in a forklift, has a 18 ohm coil. Any parts store can get them, just be specific. They look identical. Works great for dual battery isolation. <
You MUST use the continuous duty relay if you want to actually use the second battery to power the vehicle [bad alternator]. Otherwise the relay coil will overheat and fry. Either type of relay can be used to "jump" the main battery from the aux.
HOWEVER!!!!
To keep both batteries charged properly you MUST use a battery isolator! If you do not, one battery will discharge the other over time, or one will fail to charge, due to differences that develop in their electrochemical makeup, even if they are exactly the same to start! If you are using a deep cycle battery for the aux the problem is magnified. Or if you start out with mismatched batteries [very bad idea] the system will fail rapidly. Ford used to use the continuous duty relay setup as an OEM solution because it was cheap and it would usually last thru a 1 year warranty period with new batteries. It never did work for long, and could not work due to battery chemistry problems. If you use an isolator you can use different types of batteries in the system, or even a new and old(er) one.
ALWAYS USE AN ISOLATOR! You can use the proper relay to bypass the isolator for those high current needs.
over!
You MUST use the continuous duty relay if you want to actually use the second battery to power the vehicle [bad alternator]. Otherwise the relay coil will overheat and fry. Either type of relay can be used to "jump" the main battery from the aux.
HOWEVER!!!!
To keep both batteries charged properly you MUST use a battery isolator! If you do not, one battery will discharge the other over time, or one will fail to charge, due to differences that develop in their electrochemical makeup, even if they are exactly the same to start! If you are using a deep cycle battery for the aux the problem is magnified. Or if you start out with mismatched batteries [very bad idea] the system will fail rapidly. Ford used to use the continuous duty relay setup as an OEM solution because it was cheap and it would usually last thru a 1 year warranty period with new batteries. It never did work for long, and could not work due to battery chemistry problems. If you use an isolator you can use different types of batteries in the system, or even a new and old(er) one.
ALWAYS USE AN ISOLATOR! You can use the proper relay to bypass the isolator for those high current needs.
over!