Battery Isolator
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 09, 2006 at 16:49
ThreadID:
31578
Views:
1748
Replies:
4
FollowUps:
6
This Thread has been Archived
Member - Toolman (VIC)
I've just purchased a Redarc Battery Isolator for my 80 Series diesel. I would be happy to get any advice on where other owners of 80 series diesels have placed their battery isolators.
thanks
Toolman
Reply By: Russ - Thursday, Mar 09, 2006 at 21:19
Thursday, Mar 09, 2006 at 21:19
Toolman,
Had mine done (SA - Holden
Hill) by local auto elect who does a lot of work on caravans. It is placed on the passenger side, wheel arch toward the back. Have 100s LC, use it to charge Thumper battery in the back, also had one in my Hi Lux, good investment.
Last weekend, left
home, Thumper was almost flat from overnight work in hot weather, within 1.5 hrs was fully charged.
Not much help, but some
feedback for you.
"Prickle"
AnswerID:
159583
Follow Up By: Member - Toolman (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 09, 2006 at 21:56
Thursday, Mar 09, 2006 at 21:56
Prickle,
Thanks for your response. Its the sort of info I'm looking for. I'm just curious to know where people located their battery isolators.
Toolman
FollowupID:
414227
Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 22:13
Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 22:13
"Prickle" lol
Is that Russ B
FollowupID:
414464
Follow Up By: Russ - Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 23:56
Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 23:56
Tis, :):)
FollowupID:
415096
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Thursday, Mar 09, 2006 at 22:56
Thursday, Mar 09, 2006 at 22:56
Hi Toolman,
I prefer to mount the isolator between the battery and the headlight on the L.H. side. This way it is kepy cool and also away from possible sparks from mechanics in the bonnet. I wonder why Redarc never made a $0.50 cover for these units ?
Regards Derek.
AnswerID:
159612
Follow Up By: Member - Toolman (VIC) - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 13:15
Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 13:15
Derek,
Thanks for the info. I looked at putting it where you suggest but the fact that its open to the world and water made me think that perhaps I should look elswhere. Not that I'm a 4WD enthusiat who just can't resist puddles, pools or creeks that are a challenge it just that I think its a bit too exposed there. I was wondering the same about the cover.
Thanks
Toolman
FollowupID:
414340
Reply By: Drew - Karratha - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 11:20
Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 11:20
Hi Toolman
I have mounted mine on the drivers side just above the wheel arch. That way, at night I can just see the red LED to indicate that both batterys are being charged. This gives peace of mind when running the fridge and 3 x Lightforce Spotties.
Drew
AnswerID:
159677
Follow Up By: Member - Toolman (VIC) - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 13:21
Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 13:21
Drew,
Thanks for your reponse. The position you recommend is probably the least cluttered in my truck too but I was wondering if there were any problems with the length of wire coming from the cranking battery as the Redarc people recommend to position the isolator as close as possible to the cranking battery.
I'd appreciate your thoughts on this
Toolman
FollowupID:
414343
Follow Up By: Drew - Karratha - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 14:09
Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 14:09
Make sure you use the largest diameter cable you can find. I ran mine along the front of the radiator (inside some clear plastic tubing to ensure it cant rub through and short out). There haven't been any problems with voltage drop (had an auto electrician
check it out once I had finished).
Drew
FollowupID:
414351
Reply By: Mike DiD - Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 16:23
Friday, Mar 10, 2006 at 16:23
Another factor to consider when deciding where to put the Isolator, is that usually the wiring betwen the batteries is not fused, so in an accident if this cable shorts to the chassis, there will be massive heating as the battery discharges in minutes, possibly dropping lots of molten copper.
So I would keep the positive lead between battery-isolator-battery as short as possible and away from areas that may be crushed in a bad accident.
Any wire that is shorted to ground will make some small spark as the fuse blows, but this is tiny compared with the heat and sparks from a shorted a heavy unfused battery lead that melt through undamaged fuel lines.
Mike
AnswerID:
159741