Jaycar vs Redarc

" .....anyone has any experience with Jaycar's battery isolator? "

post a link or cat number??

Some years back I got a dual-battery isolator/charger kit (from DSE), and apart from my total misunderstanding of the set up of the device (*kapow!*) it (my second attempt) works well in charging my aux, deep cycle, battery on long trips.

Hi,
if it is the dual battery isolater kit, I can vouch for it's reliability and effectiveness. I built one for my cruiser a few years back and it has not missed a beat.

If you go that way, use good soldering, keep component leads short, and don't use the banana sockets that are supplied. When the aux battery gets low, it can draw some herbs to get back up again. I found that over time, the binding posts introduce a point where oxidisation can increase resistance, which then results in heat. In mine, this caused the plastic around the binding post to melt slightly. Use Anderson plugs and don't scimp on cable size.

IMHO a well designed circuit and, if time taken to construct, reliable.

Cheers
Peter

I found the only problem with the Jaycar unit is it doesn't come in a water proof box as prescribed in the original Silicon Chip mag article. Penny pinching as far as I'm concerned as Tricky Dicky had the same kit, same price inc waterproof box!!

My first one (JC) eventually drowned and now have a DSE unit. Both have performed excellently.

Unfortunately, Tricky Dicky no longer have the kits. Water proof boxes are available from both suppliers but a lot cheaper at DSE.

If you are into ebay then check this out for chargers and anderson plugs

http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQfrppZ25QQfrtsZ0QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsassZ4145derek

Cheers
Rod

Might have just missed the boat, they are apparently not selling it anymore. A friend tried to get one yesterday and they said they are no longer stocking it. Maybe some stores still have them though.
I have the dse version, works well for me, and I understand the design issue with them (not truly 2 way isolation, bit more to it but basically that's it).

I used one for a little over a year before it dies, I didn't even bother trying to work out what was wrong, I just ripped it out and put an Arrid Smart Relay in (very similar to the Redarc and about the same price). I've never looked back, works just fine.

If you do go down the Silicone Chip/Altronics/Jarcay/DSE kit (they are all pretty much the same) make sure you:

a) do as stated above and get rid of those stupid terminals/plugs that come with it and
b) make sure you pis off the metal box, MAN is that dangerours, have direct 4g connections from batteries into the tiny little METAL box only 2mm of insulation!! Whoever thought that one up needs their head read!;-)

You should (if you look around) be able to get a Redarc for less than $100. If not, have a look at the Supercrap auto DIY kit, seems very similar (I've only looked at it in the shop, never tried it) But they do the kit for about $95 and it includes some 8g terminals, personally I'd get some decent 4g, you'll probally need longer wires anyway if you're running it to the back of the vehicle.

Thanks for the replies everybody!

I think I'll just go with the Redarc in the end. Although I'm more than capable of building the jaycar/dse kit I'm leaning towards the simplicity of the Redarc. Much less to go wrong I feel.

Cheers everyone :)

Rod
It's a bit off the thread, but as you say in the begiining the only kit suppliers was Dickie (he started his business the same month I started ETI).

He and I had a big spat around 1974 (but are now friends) which resulted in his withdrawing all advt from ETI for a year or so - and this gave Jaycar and Altronics a leg in to the market.

Re Cockatoo Island - I was up in the Croc Pool last week, probably one of your old haunts (perhaps also you'd know the Kimberley's best -kept-secret pub (The Squatters Arms) with access only by boat on the right tide?
Collyn.

One Arm Point was the original traditional home of the Bardi mob - they moved back there some years ago now (with Jarwu mob) have native title over their land. Interesting case actually as the court castigated the Shire for opposing it. Some of the mob are still on the Island.

My wife and I were up in most of the areas you mention. We were with Donny Woologoodja the Tribal Custodian of the Worora mob and Chairman of the Mowanjum Community - he was checking up on all the sacred sites and rock art on his huge patch - includes the Prince Regent River.

Will respond by direct email via The Squatter's Arms.
Collyn Rivers

check this one out...
http://www.traxide.com.au/trax1sc80_2.html