Re: Auto battery isolator question

From: Keith (keithrol_at_ixpres.com)
Date: 07/21/04 

Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2004 05:20:57 -0400

Don Kelly wrote:

> The isolator should keep the batteries independent. It is designed to do so.
> The isolator will have 2 diodes feeding the two batteries from the common
> alternator terminal. Where is the "status??" wire normally connected? Is it
> normally connected to the hot of the alternator (or, with no isolator- to
> the same place- the battery terminal?

The status wire is connected to a separate terminal on the alternator.

Yes, the isolator will keep the 2 batteries separate. It also prevents
current flow back into the alternator from either battery. This would
normally be a desirable thing, but this alternator needs to see battery
voltage at it's output terminal before it will charge.

Hmmm... I'm wondering if it needs to see full voltage. Maybe I could
use a small resistor to provide a little current to get it charging. I
mean like really small, in the order of 1K ohms. Then if it would start
charging, the power dissapated by the charging current through the
resistor would be very small.

More expirimenting is called for this weekend! :)

Keith

Relevant Pages

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