Thread: Most basic dual battery isolator?

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

Originally Posted by 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

Hmm. Thanks for that! Less attractive now!

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

The simplest and cheapest isolator is a marine battery switch.
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_i...AbsolutePage=5

However you need to remember to switch it

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

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.

As said .... Traxide SC80

Originally Posted by p38arover

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...