Jaycar Isolator - any experience ?

Submitted: Saturday, Mar 22, 2003 at 11:05

ThreadID: 3990 Views:1637 Replies:7 FollowUps:1

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Phil P

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has tried using this isolator ? At $49.95 is seems like a bargain !

http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KA1782&CATID=&keywords=KA1782&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=xxxxxxxxxx&Keyword2=xxxxxxxxxx&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=

Thanks
Phil P

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Reply By: AK - Saturday, Mar 22, 2003 at 11:42

Saturday, Mar 22, 2003 at 11:42

Phil I had a look at it and it comes as a kit you have to solder all the electronic components together on the PC board. You may be better off with a staight solenoid plus a diode for your $50 or I think redarc make a half smart isolator with low voltage cut for about $100.
Cheers
AK

AnswerID: 15846

Reply By: joc45 - Saturday, Mar 22, 2003 at 12:06

Saturday, Mar 22, 2003 at 12:06

Hi Phil,
Recall this is an Electronics Aust design, in which they 'fessed that there was a design limitation (an inbuilt protection diode in the FET may not take the reverse current). They explained this away saying that if both batteries were in good condition, this should not be a problem.
Get the commercial one - worth the extra $.
rgds
Gerry

AnswerID: 15848

Reply By: diamond - Saturday, Mar 22, 2003 at 20:24

Saturday, Mar 22, 2003 at 20:24

ive noticed here that solonoids ect are a lot like nissan/toyota lots of different opinions i asked the question a while ago about solonoids and ended up going to repco and bying a starter motor solonoid for $30 bought an in line circut breaker $10 30 amp so if main batt goes flat it cant start from second bat im running 6mm wire x2 direct from alternator to second bat and have not had any troubles yet at all 2 batt fully charged couldnt see the point in being silly and spending #200+ on batt manegment bit silly to me if you still have to batts one for acc and one to run car but thats just me im a scott and hate spending money lol

AnswerID: 15881

Reply By: Phil P - Sunday, Mar 23, 2003 at 09:01

Sunday, Mar 23, 2003 at 09:01

Thanks for your replies, I'll purchase the Redarc Isolator !

Any suggestions where I can purchase this from in Melbourne & the price ?

Thanks
Phil P

AnswerID: 15898

Follow Up By: Wazza - Monday, Mar 24, 2003 at 08:56

Monday, Mar 24, 2003 at 08:56

Hello Phil,

I contacted them via the web submission for a month or two ago, here was the reply (asked for price as well, but never got an answer. Must be up to individual supplier/fitter!):

Thanks for your response. Please contact the following local Auto
Electrician who can quote supply and fitment:-

Auto Electrical Service
Contact:- Bob
81 Arden Street
North Melbourne Vic
Tel: 9329 9652

If you would like to discuss your application further please do not hesitate
to contact our Senior Technician, Lex Clarke on 08 8186 5633 and he will
endeavour to answer any of your questions.

Kind regards

Anthony Kittel
Managing Director
Redarc Electronics
21 Heath St
Lonsdale South Australia 5160
Ph: + 61 8 8186 5633
Fax: + 61 8 8186 5644

Cheers,
Wazza
----------------------

FollowupID: 9747

Reply By: Member - Colin- Sunday, Mar 23, 2003 at 12:08

Sunday, Mar 23, 2003 at 12:08

In regard to battery protection, I am using a PROJECTA brand, over discharge protector, which I purchased from Kmart for $20 ! I plug it in line before my frig (3 way Sadec) and it cuts out power at 11.2v (max load 10a). Compact size 8 x 5 x 3 cm. Very handy when leaving the car to go shopping etc. as I dont have dual batteries and the frig draws a constant 5a (approx).Colin - Subaru Forester

AnswerID: 15904

Reply By: Indy - Tuesday, Mar 25, 2003 at 14:13

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2003 at 14:13

Phil,
I built one of the Jaycar kits up. I was less than happy with it. It took forever to charge the auxillary battery up. I believe this was because the alternator regulator was just sensing the main battery and cut its charge rate back when it detected the main battery was topped up. This left only a few amps to charge the aux battery for the rest of the day.

The unit attempts to be a 'smart charger' ie. senses when the main battery is full then directs the charge to the auxillary. The weakness is when the alternator regulator has no way of knowing there is a second battery in the system and just adjust its charge rate to suit the main battery.

Just buy the Redarc or I have heard of a cheaper alternative from Electrosystems.
Regards,
Indy

AnswerID: 16066