HI all,
This is my first post here ,but much help has come my way from the vast experience on this site.
I recently had a problem with a redarc battery isolator. SB12
remote location ,flat batteries from being in the shade (solar not charging) engel on etc etc.. but a few people about so no biggie.
After a successful and properly carried out jump start (on the main battery)the redarc was flashing and not working .
I disconnected everything and it was obviously faulty.
Now I had a problem and quickly detirmeined that the control board had been spiked somehow during the jump start.
I wanted to remove the unit entirely but it would mean 12 high amp cable laying in the moving engine bay (not good) . I my wisdom i decided to remove the offending unit (the circuit board) by cutting it out and using the manual switch to control the solenoid wich was clearly ok.
I now had a useable manual system the worked
well for the rest of the trip.I wondered why we need auto switching at all .
On returning to
home I contacted the redarc people who kindly returned my call .
I wanted to purchace the faulty part (the circuit board) and was told that the whole unit is supplied as one and I should send it back complete.
I explained that the unit was cut out because it was faulty and the solenoid was in good order so why not just supply the faulty part ?
We established the it was under warranty and could be processed by a warranty claim procedure . I asked if having the faulty itm CUT out or with wires bared would be considered tampering to which he said that he did not know .
I asked him to consider that I did not want to remove the whole unit and just wanted the faulty part replaced and I would pay if needed.
So the
young executive told me I was not cooperating as would be unlikely to recieve a claim or a part that was not available.
The solution for me has been to keep the manual solenoid an install a 100 amp shottky diode across the solenoid and whalla... better than ever .
The moral of the story ..you dont need a computer to control charge to your auxillary battery just 20 dollars worth of diode , or just a manual switch . Its funny how things that seem important when at
home are often unnecessary when on the road .
I did learn the there is a microprocessor in these redarc units and my 30 years in the trade , I conclude that this is not a place for a computer ,that in my case lost its brains.
AS for Redarc I think they should employ some kind of human being to handle their parts enquiries. A unit like this should never fail with a jump start ,however it may have been carried out.
Cheers to all