how do you select an isolator?

[not enuf toys]

how do you figure out what size isolator to use? is it dependant on the size of your alternator?

i will be running a starting battery and a deep cycle battery and do not want to mess around with the switch. used one once before and had to remember to switch from one battery to another when running to charge each back up...to much hassle

this time i just want to run an isolator after the alternator then to each battery, thus each battery is always being charged.

i then want to run my electronics (specifically the radio and amp ~ learned this the hard way last weekend) so no matter how long i am listening to it will anchored i can still start and run the boat.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: how do you select an isolator?

looks to be like it depends on the output amps of my current alternator and then how many batteries i want to run?

2 batteries...now i got to find the output of my alternator...

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: how do you select an isolator?

now, based on my manual (yes i still have it for a 96, and yes it is the origional) my alternator is 55 amps...sound right?

so question then is

will the isolator keep the alternator from burning up if matched right? and if the isolator alows the alternator to charge the batteries independently will it take twice as long to charge each? from splitting its output into half?

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: how do you select an isolator?

Even better....just learned about the automatic charging relay from blue sea....sounds like a winner!

 

[Boatist]

Re: how do you select an isolator?

Most prople today prefer a VSR (Voltage Sensing Relay) over a battery isolator.
Both can work Good with a 3 wire alternator but with a 1 wire alternator much eaiser to use a VSR.

With the VSR the alternator charges the starting battery all the time. When the starting battery gets above 13.7 volts it then connects the second battery or battery bank to the starting battery and all batteries charge until the engine is shut off. Very little wiring to do.

As long as you have an alternator 30 amps or more then this is a very simple way to go.

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