Friday, Jan 06, 2006 at 16:58
Sand Man, My Solar system is installed on the roof and stays there with the cable going into the roof, via a marine quick-clip connection, with the cable then running between the hood lining and the underside of the roof, out of sight and out of the way, connecting to the Steca Solar regulator and with all cables still out of sight and out of the way going to the Deep Cycle batteries and the fridge also, so it would be a pain to disconnect any batteries or Solar panels as all the cables are all 'hidden' and it only takes 5 seconds to connect the mini 3 inch 'jumper cable' to the two Rotronics Isolator box (+) battery connection bolts.
However, because I camp for extended periods in the bush & beach and by leaving doors open etc causes some minor start battery drain.
I use the two (+) posts on the Rotronics, (which are not on the Piranha) to connect the Start battery direct to the Deep Cycle batteries via a small 3 inch 'mini jumper lead' every few weeks, and all three are charged by the Solar system at the same time.
A major point you did not mention is that the Redarc Smart Solenoid system, which I once used, is recomended by the manufacturer to be used with two 'identical' batteries and not two different batteries, such as a Deep Cycle and a Starter battery, hence the reason I had to have my solenoid replaced to achieve a full charge to the Deep Cycle battery.
Yes, as you say they do connect and also DISconnect the Starter battery from the Aux battery to avoid Starter battery drain, BUT there is more to an Isolator than just DISconnection!
Both Piranha and Rotronics actually specify their systems will work 100% with two totally different batteries, however Redarc actually specify the two batteries should be identical :-)
(that's not an opinion - but a fact)
FollowupID:
400292