A battery isolator is an electrical device that separates direct current into several branches and allows you to recharge a secondary battery when your vehicle’s system, engine, or motor is functioning.
Your vehicle requires extra batteries to power up the additional gadgets like lights, fans, air conditioning, refrigerators, inverters, and so on. An isolator recharges your car’s spare batteries using the vehicle’s system. An isolator will also prevent your vehicle’s main battery from being entirely discharged.
In this info post, we will elaborately discuss queries about isolators, including what is a battery isolator, how they work, and what forms they come in. So, continue reading the article.
How Does A Battery Isolator Work?
An isolator is a small box size electricity or charge controller device. A tiny microcomputer, a smart microprocessor unit, and a switching mechanism are all packed into it. In your automobile, there is a machine called an “Alternator.” This alternator generates electrical power to charge the vehicle’s battery from the engine or motor of your car.
When your automobile is running, the main battery is usually connected to the alternator, and an isolator separates the main and secondary batteries. The microcomputer in the control box of the isolator carefully monitors the main battery voltage level till it reaches 13.6v (volts). When the main batteries’ voltage reaches 13.6 volts, the isolator connects both of your primary and secondary batteries to the alternator in parallel connection. As a result, it will charge both your car’s main and backup batteries.
Types Of Battery Isolator
You will mainly find four types of isolators on the market.
- Manual Isolator
- Diode Isolator
- Solenoid Isolator
- Hybrid Isolator
Manual Isolator
A manual isolator is a switch-type device that simply disconnects the auxiliary batteries from the vehicle’s electrical system. This type of isolator can be found near your car’s ignition switch. Manual isolators are inexpensive and simple to operate. To use the isolator, all you have to do is push a button.
Unfortunately, it also has some drawbacks. The biggest disadvantage is that it requires a human operator. You have to turn on and off the switch on your own. There is no intelligent switching sensor system in this type of isolator. If you’re on a budget and want to charge your batteries in an efficient way, the manual isolator will be the best choice for you.
Diode Isolator
Diode isolator is a popular vehicle battery charging system. This isolator allows you to charge two or more batteries at the same time from a single alternator without linking the battery packs together. It has some drawbacks such as low current, and half-volt drop throughout the resistors.
You can find several varieties of diode isolators on the market if you search. The greatest of these is the Diode Battery Isolator (48162, 200A), Diode Battery Isolator (48122, 140A), and Diode Battery Isolator (48160, 200A).
Solenoid Isolator
The solenoid isolator is another common current isolator device. It operates in the same way that a manual isolator does. The difference is that when you switch off or on the ignition, it will turn on and off.
This isolator uses many electrical relays to manage the transmission of electric charge through the circuit.
Hybrid Isolator
Hybrid isolators are known as smart isolators. These sorts of isolators are equipped with a smart computer, microcontroller, and sensor to control the charging and draining of your batteries. If your main battery is fully charged, it will automatically identify the charging state of your battery and alternate the flow of current to the backup battery. It also allows massive currents to pass through the electric circuit of your vehicle without causing damage to the batteries or electronics.
Hybrid isolators are well-known around the world for their great precision, dependability, and low cost. The” Armtech Hybrid Battery Isolator” is one of the best isolators available on Amazon.
How To Install A Battery Isolator
There are a few different ways for connecting isolators with the primary and secondary batteries of your vehicle. One of them will be discussed in this section of the article.
A battery isolator usually has four terminals, two large and two small. One of your isolator’s big terminals must be connected to the primary battery’s positive (+) end and connect the other large connector to the positive (+) end of your backup battery. Now you have to connect one of its small terminals to your car’s chassis or to the Ground(-), as well as the other small terminal with an ignition source(+).
Applications Of Battery Isolator
Battery isolators are used to charge several batteries at the same time from a vehicle’s engine or combustion system. If you look closely you will notice that isolators are frequently used in vehicles such as recreational vehicles, ambulances, heavy-duty trucks, helicopters, airplanes, drones, boats, and utility vehicles.
Isolators are also used to maintain the current supply of many battery-powered devices, such as refrigerators, stoves, computer devices, mobile phones, many types of inverters, car radios, navigation lights, camp lanterns, and many other instruments.
How to choose the Right Battery Isolator
When choosing an isolator you should pay attention to some essential elements such as important details, how many batteries can be charged, data display, and control system. You should also be aware of:
- Be aware of your isolator’s charging capabilities. Is the isolator you’re buying a single-cell charging isolator or a multi-battery charging full-function isolator? You must select an isolator that is compatible with your device.
- Purchase the isolator which will provide you with link capability.
- You should purchase an isolator that includes a voltmeter and a data and charge monitoring display.
- Choose an isolator that allows you to control your system remotely.
- Most importantly, choose an isolator that will give you an automatic on/off sensor module.
Advantages Of Using Battery Isolator
- Battery isolators work as an alternative source of electricity for your automobiles. It will charge your primary battery keeping the main battery of your vehicle fully charged. As a result, you won’t have to pay extra to keep your backup batteries charged.
- Some heavy vehicles, such as SUVs, ambulances, and luxury boats, require multiple batteries to power their accessories, such as lights, fans, air conditioning, and televisions. A battery isolator is the ideal pairing device for those batteries. It will ensure that the current flows smoothly through several paths to the batteries even if one of your batteries is not working properly.
- Your vehicle’s main battery will not be completely discharged if you use an isolator. As a consequence, you won’t have to deal with issues like jump starts or a car that won’t start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is an isolator needed for my dual batteries?
Answer: Yes, an isolator is required. Using an isolator, you can connect those batteries and charge them simultaneously.
Q: What is a double battery isolator?
Answer: The 140 Amp isolator is known as a dual battery isolator. It comes with everything you need to charge a two-battery setup.
Q: What is the main purpose of Isolator?
Answer: The Isolator’s major purpose is to ensure that the main battery has enough power to start the engine and recharge the backup batteries.
Q: What are some of the most effective battery isolators?
Answer: On the market, there are thousands of battery isolators to choose from. The user favorites are WirthCo 20092, Metra Electronics Bay, and Stinger SGP38.
Conclusion
Battery isolators are fundamental components for any expensive car or electric equipment. It keeps your vehicle’s batteries charged so they can power up your vehicle’s engine, gearbox, and other accessories. It also keeps your batteries safe from being overcharged and damaged.
In this post, I’ve tried to cover everything you’ll need to know about a battery isolator, from purchase to installation, including its operating principle, and benefits. This information should be of use to you in your search and purchase of a battery isolator.
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