battery isolator

[New Comer]

I am thinking of getting a battery isolator to charge my second battery by the car alternator. I would like to ask the people here if you think this is a good idea? What is your experience? If it is a good idea, what kind of isolator do you recommend? I know there are different kinds of isolators that have disadvantage and advantage. Could someone recommend one?

I plan to use AGM battery as the secondary battery.

Thanks.

 

[Sky King]

I have a diesel ambo with 2 strting batteries & 4 6v GC batteries & use an isolator. I'll have to look at the brand but have a 250amp altenator & it does fine. I left the master swith on for a few days & the alt was putting out 150 amps & I've never seen it put out over 150 but all is well.

 

[bullfrog]

I think I would look at the DC to DC charger post.

 

[mjbeam]

I used this one for a couple years to charge a deep cycle Optima in my Jeep as a second battery and it worked well:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/NOCO-IGD200HP-200A-HP-Battery-Isolator/49968227

 

[Sky King]

mjbeam, that's close to mine & would work fine IMHO.

 

[Almost There]

I use a 'continuous duty solenoid' like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/HERSEE-TERMINAL-CONTINUOUS-SOLENOID-24213BX-x/dp/B00FGJIJR6

The hardest part of the installation was finding a source of power for it at the fuse block that was only one when the vehicle was running. Once that was located the rest was a snap.

Used one in this van for 4 years and have used them since the mid-70's for charging house battery systems in vans and RVs.

I wouldn't be without one but then I have 3 ways of charging my house battery bank ( 4 - 6V Trojan T105REs) - shore power/generator to battery charger; solar; and alternator when driving.

It's only one of multiple ways to ensure that your house battery system stays in good shape - particularly important when you're your own power generator!

 

[Sky King]

I have the same 3 ways to charge.

 

[New Comer]

I have a diesel ambo with 2 strting batteries & 4 6v GC batteries & use an isolator. I'll have to look at the brand but have a 250amp altenator & it does fine. I left the master swith on for a few days & the alt was putting out 150 amps & I've never seen it put out over 150 but all is well.

Thank you for your reply!

 

[New Comer]

I used this one for a couple years to charge a deep cycle Optima in my Jeep as a second battery and it worked well:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/NOCO-IGD200HP-200A-HP-Battery-Isolator/49968227

Thank you very much!

 

[highdesertranger]

yeah I find the good quality solenoids much more reliable then the isolators. also with the isolators you get a voltage drop right off the top. highdesertranger

 

[New Comer]

I use a 'continuous duty solenoid' like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/HERSEE-TERMINAL-CONTINUOUS-SOLENOID-24213BX-x/dp/B00FGJIJR6

The hardest part of the installation was finding a source of power for it at the fuse block that was only one when the vehicle was running. Once that was located the rest was a snap.

Used one in this van for 4 years and have used them since the mid-70's for charging house battery systems in vans and RVs.

I wouldn't be without one but then I have 3 ways of charging my house battery bank ( 4 - 6V Trojan T105REs) - shore power/generator to battery charger; solar; and alternator when driving.

It's only one of multiple ways to ensure that your house battery system stays in good shape - particularly important when you're your own power generator!

Thanks.