Battery Protector

[SoulRaven]

We're getting side tracked here and comparing apples to oranges.

A battery protector prevents your batteries from being over discharged, prolonging the life span of those batteries and preventing a dead starting battery.

Battery isolators have the ability to isolate the starting battery from your house battery, but do nothing to protect either battery from being over discharged.

I isolate my house and starting batteries manually, so that each system is a separate entity, even though I do occasionally use my starting battery for house power. With these protectors, it will kill my house power, but leave me plenty of starting power.

I charge my house battery by plugging it into my vehicles cigarette lighter outlet, and unplug it when I'm not driving. Since I have protectors on both batteries, neither can be drawn so low as to leave me stranded.

I would classify isolators as optional, and protectors as essential.

 

[LeeRevell]

Does each individual battery need it's own Protector, or just each bank? With a lot of batteries, that could mean some real expense on Protectors. Though it's like Insurance - expensive til you really need it!

 

[MikeRuth]

If you did decide to use one of these yes you could use it on a BANK. As a bank in essence is considered one battery in use.
Again with what SW said and what I said this device is primarily designed for protecting the starting battery.

 

[LeeRevell]

Then, if I use a House Bank the chassis battrey is good as is.

 

[MikeRuth]

Then, if I use a House Bank the chassis battrey is good as is.

Yup

 

[SoulRaven]

So, for someone looking into battery protectors, are there particular brands that are recommended or categorized as "STAY AWAY FROM"? Mixed Amazon reviews are a bit scary for something costing $80 or more.

My other point of consideration is that it would cut off power to my power unlock, requiring me to trip my alarm to open the door. Or would the alarm be turned off too, or would the alarm attempt deactivate the battery shutoff?

The new minivan is electric everything and I don't want the starter battery going dead from just sitting around for a few days, as I am wont to do.

 

[SoulRaven]

So, for someone looking into battery protectors, are there particular brands that are recommended or categorized as "STAY AWAY FROM"? Mixed Amazon reviews are a bit scary for something costing $80 or more.

My other point of consideration is that it would cut off power to my power unlock, requiring me to trip my alarm to open the door. Or would the alarm be turned off too, or would the alarm attempt deactivate the battery shutoff?

The new minivan is electric everything and I don't want the starter battery going dead from just sitting around for a few days, as I am wont to do.

I got mine at a recycled battery shop in person, and they were only like $20 installed.

No idea about the power unlock or alarms though.  Mine are reset by tapping the brake pedal, so if your unlock/alarm blinks the brake lights, that might reset them.

I'd try to find a battery shop and a live person to consult with.