The solenoid isolator is relatively inexpensive-it’ll set you back less than $20. Turn the ignition system off, the relay switch opens, preventing current to flow from either the chassis to the RV, or vice versa. When your vehicle is running, current throws the switch closed to allow current to flow from your vehicle charge system back to your RV. Somewhat comparable to a vehicle starter relay, the solenoid is a big electrically operated switch. The simplest battery isolator is nothing more than an electromechanical relay. It used to be there were just two kinds of isolators now there are three. At the same time, the isolator allows your house batteries to charge up by drawing on your chassis or tow vehicle alternator. Without such isolation, your house battery and SLI battery will seek to maintain the same charge level-and if that’s too low to start your rig, you’re left in the lurch. The RV had “stolen” power from the truck battery, leaving us wandering around with a set of jumper cables, looking for a hot jump.īattery isolators do just what it sounds like: They isolate your RV “house” batteries from your vehicle’s SLI (starting-lighting-ignition) battery. After our first night on the road, a chilly one where the furnace ran during the night, we found we couldn’t start the truck up. On one of our earliest RV adventures, we learned the hard way about the importance of a battery isolator system. See our entire selection of battery management products. LED indicator light displays functionality and battery statusįor a third battery management option-using battery separators-see the article How to Choose Between Battery Isolators and Separators.Dual sensing – senses charge on both battery banks.Start Isolation (SI) protects sensitive electronics by temporary isolation of house loads from engine circuit during engine cranking.Automatically combine batteries during charging and isolate batteries when discharging and starting engines.Isolates each battery circuit and allows each battery to discharge and charge according to its own needs.Perform as well or better than existing factory installed components. Eliminate multi-battery drain when two or more battery banks are in a charging system.Whichever of the system you select, Waytek carries some standout options in both categories.īlue Sea Manual Control Automatic Charging Relays The preference for which one is used often boils down to the application and electrical design used. ACRs can also simplify system design because chargers and regulators that work with a single battery bank will still work with a multiple battery bank.īoth types of charge management devices-battery isolators and ACRs-are commonly used on boats as well as work trucks and other commercial vehicles. One advantage of the ACR is that it can be used with outboard motors and inverter/chargers that also absorb starting current and thus won’t work with an isolator. This prevents both batteries from draining when there is not enough current to charge both. Isolators with solid state construction, such as many in the Eaton Sure Power product line, have fewer moving parts that can malfunction or wear out, though these can generate heat.ĪCRs are automatic switches that sense when a charging source is being applied to either battery, and close when the voltage on one rises high enough to indicate it is at or near full charge (normally around 13.3V) until it decreases to a safe level. While the isolator is the simpler and more familiar of the two methods, one drawback is a slight voltage drop (about 0.7 volts) which can result in undercharged batteries unless alternators with external voltage sensing are used. So, how are these two components different? Is one better than the other? When should you choose one over the other? Here are some things to keep in mind.īattery isolators and automatic charging relays (ACRs) are both designed to distribute charging current to multiple batteries, but each manipulates current differently.īattery isolators use silicon diodes to split a one-way flow of current that charges both batteries evenly so that accessory batteries cannot drain power from the main starting battery. When it comes to battery management, battery isolators and automatic charging relays (also called ACRs or voltage sensitive relays) are both used to safeguard reserve battery power to prevent breakdowns and protect other vital vehicle or boat functions.
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