Most basic dual battery isolator?

[Wil2k]

Hi all.

Have had a quick poke around on the forum and other sites looking at dual battery isolators for my D2.

I've got a spare car battery (from a ford focus - calcium I think) hanging around and wanted to rig up a really basic dual battery system. I've seen the solenoid solutions from ABR sidewinder on eBay really cheap. That's attractive! I just want something to run camp showers and some other incidental stuff off. No fridges etc. And cheap! Can upgrade battery later if needed.

Will it do what I want? Charge the smaller car batt when running D2 and isolate it when the D2 is off.

What is the bonus with going for the intelligent/more costly systems? Redarc, traxide, Sidewinder, Rottonics etc.

Cheers

Wil

[JDNSW]

The simplest solenoid system will work, but suffers from two problems. Firstly, depending how it is wired, a dead flat auxilliary battery paralleled with the main battery when you switch on the ignition will not be the best for the main battery, although it will probably not stop you starting. The second problem is that simply paralleling them means that the charging will not be optimum for either battery, shortening the life of both batteries.
A possible but unlikely result is that a catastrophic failure of one battery could kill the other.

John

[Wil2k]

The simplest solenoid system will work, but suffers from two problems. Firstly, depending how it is wired, a dead flat auxilliary battery paralleled with the main battery when you switch on the ignition will not be the best for the main battery, although it will probably not stop you starting. The second problem is that simply paralleling them means that the charging will not be optimum for either battery, shortening the life of both batteries.
A possible but unlikely result is that a catastrophic failure of one battery could kill the other.

John

Hmm. Thanks for that! Less attractive now! ;)

[Tombie]

Traxide.... Thats it... All you'll ever need and want :cool:

[isuzurover]

The simplest and cheapest isolator is a marine battery switch.
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=123&item=84390&intAbsolutePage=5

However you need to remember to switch it ;)

[p38arover]

There's as much effort (and not much difference in cost) in fitting simple switch compared with fitting a Traxide SC80.

[Slunnie]

If you want really basic, just hook them up in parrallel. Mine have been like this since the Redarc got dusted about 5 years ago and so far no issues. Mind you, i don't sit and camp for days, I'd typically move on every day which charges the system.

[Fluids]

As said .... Traxide SC80

[isuzurover]

There's as much effort (and not much difference in cost) in fitting simple switch compared with fitting a Traxide SC80.

I agree on the fitting, but to be fair, the traxide is more than double the cost of a switch. Plus, you still need to buy a switch as well as the traxide if you want to bridge both batteries for winching etc...

[B92 8NW]

I agree on the fitting, but to be fair, the traxide is more than double the cost of a switch. Plus, you still need to buy a switch as well as the traxide if you want to bridge both batteries for winching etc...

If you do winching, the Traxide 160/240 amp controller is better. I just press the (included) cab mounted switch, bridged, best of both worlds.

Thinking about putting in a CTEK 250S Dual DC-DC though...














...or not:angel:

[THE BOOGER]

If you do winching, the Traxide 160/240 amp controller is better. I just press the (included) cab mounted switch, bridged, best of both worlds.

Thinking about putting in a CTEK 250S Dual DC-DC though...













...or not:angel:


NOOOO thats done it off the the soap box for you:twisted:

[Xtreme]

Getting back to the original question, I have successfully used a 40A lighting relay energised from the accessories circuit with 6mm wire to carry the heavy current. Auxilliary battery is isolated automatically when ignition is off.

Worked well while just running fridge, lights and other low current devices.

[isuzurover]

If you do winching, the Traxide 160/240 amp controller is better. I just press the (included) cab mounted switch, bridged, best of both worlds.


Link?

I can't find it listed on the site?

[Fluids]

Seems Tim hasn't put it up there yet ... I purchased one when he announced it on AULRO ...

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/verandah/118973-usi-160-160-240-amp-ultra-smart-dual-battery-isolator.html

SC-80 functionality with more ... Neat bit of kit !

[B92 8NW]

Link?

I can't find it listed on the site?

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/verandah/118973-usi-160-160-240-amp-ultra-smart-dual-battery-isolator.html

[B92 8NW]

Seems Tim hasn't put it up there yet ... I purchased one when he announced it on AULRO ...

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/verandah/118973-usi-160-160-240-amp-ultra-smart-dual-battery-isolator.html

SC-80 functionality with more ... Neat bit of kit !

Which way is up with the controller? Is it switch at the top or LED at the top? Havent quite nutted out that part.

[Fluids]

LED UP ... or TOP

Mine will be installed in the dash, rhs of the steering column, sideways, next to the mirror controls .... sideways ! :)

... so, switch towards the LED becomes UP/TOP.