Questions on redarc override switch and winching with it
Submitted: Sunday, Jul 18, 2010 at 19:09
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Glenn76
Hi all, I am installing a redarc dual battery system and was wondering if I can wire up the start assist feature with a normal switch (as opposed to the momentary switch) so I can have the choice of using it for winching with both batteries or just one?
Also when using the override switch, does the starter motor draw the power from both batteries or does the second battery just slowly top up the starter battery?If so can this still have any benefit for winching if the start assist was kept on?
I realize that there are other ways to wire it up (marine switches,2 battery winching) but would like to know if the above questions can be done.
Cheers
Glenn
Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Sunday, Jul 18, 2010 at 20:17
Sunday, Jul 18, 2010 at 20:17
What type of batteries are we talking about here ?
The winch should only be run from high capacity cranking batteries
The switch should be able to handle the massive Amps running through it, so I would invest in a solid switch suitable for the job.
Maîneÿ . . .
AnswerID:
424435
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Jul 18, 2010 at 21:14
Sunday, Jul 18, 2010 at 21:14
???? As i understand in the Redarc the switch just pulls the isolator closed like in a relay so doesnt have any decent current flowing through it
The little momentory provided with
mine and the 18g wires I use would have burnt out long ago if that was the case when hooking the two together.
If the OP contacts reads the Redarc installation instructions there is a bit that says to contact them and they will tell him how to do what he wants.
FollowupID:
694877
Reply By: Stu-e - Sunday, Jul 18, 2010 at 22:57
Sunday, Jul 18, 2010 at 22:57
hi
yes it will not hurt the isolator to have a switch on it just remember to turn it off when your done so it goes back to its job of being a voltage sensing solenoid, yes i would use it when winching so you bont pull the battery voltage down too low. yes your starter will draw from both batterys when the overide switch is on, this is the idea of it if your cranking battery gets flattened somehow you can draw from your aux battery.
stick with your winch on the cranking battery and leave th overide switch on when using it. keep it simple less switches the better...
stu
AnswerID:
424447
Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 08:42
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 08:42
Conventional wisdom says winch only from the start battery, with engine running at fast idle to top up the battery. I'd only winch from the aux in an emergency situation as you could end up with 2 flat batteries.
It is possible to do what you suggest, as long as the cables from the aux are thick enough to carry the current, but I wouldn't recomend it.
AnswerID:
424463
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 09:09
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 09:09
I have done exactly that Glenn, but my "second battery" is 460Ahrs of AGMs and I fitted a 200A 2 way RedArc.
How much comes or goes from/to each battery will depend a bit on the size of each and the voltage drop of the interconnecting cables.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome
AnswerID:
424466
Reply By: Honky - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 10:08
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 10:08
Going from memory the instructions says only to use the switch for short periods and not to leave on.
They suggest a toggle switch that springs back to off when let go.
Honky
AnswerID:
424471
Reply By: Mikee5 (Logan QLD) - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 10:30
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 10:30
Hi Glenn,
Go to the Redarc website. On it there are quite a number of fact sheets showing different combinations of wiring up the isolator. On
mine I have fitted an override switch to pull both batteries in together for starting or winching. I didn't use a momentary switch, instead I used a rocker switch with a warning light in it. Of course you don't need heavy wires as suggested above, you are only triggering a relay so 10amp wires are more than enough. Don't forget to fit a fuse.
AnswerID:
424473
Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 17:16
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 17:16
Mike - "Of course you don't need heavy wires as suggested above" - As long as the wires from the cranking battery + & - to the Redarc and Redarc to the + & - on the aux battery are full size starting cables :-)
The one from the overide on the redarc to the switch can be 10amp :-)
FollowupID:
694955
Reply By: Glenn76 - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 16:02
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 16:02
thanks guys, I am running 2B&S wire to the 2nd battery and its a cranking battery.
Stu-e thanks, that was the conformation I was after, just wasnt 100% sure i was right.
A flashing warning light would be a good idea for if I forget to turn it off.
Cheers
AnswerID:
424491
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 17:37
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 17:37
Hi Glenn
I would not recommend a rocker or toggle switch, the contacts in the Redarc are not designed for continuous high current like startermotor or winch solenoids. The contacts will start to burn and pit and will cause voltage drop when used as a normal battery isolator. I will have a look in my photo folder and I can show you how small the contacts are.
I would suggest a master switch or heavy duty solenoid for winching, only use the start assist feature as emergency start assist not permanent switching. Use a momentary button only.
Regards
Derek from ABR
FollowupID:
694959
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 17:50
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 17:50
These are the contacts in the SBi12, if you have the larger SBi212 you may use the link function for perhaps 5 minuets at a time but again pitting will slowly destroy the contacts.
FollowupID:
694961
Reply By: Glenn76 - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 20:53
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 20:53
thanks arb-sidewinder, Just wondering how using a switch like I said different to the winch with both batteries using the override through the winch which they recommend. Do they both open the redarc differently?
Cheers
AnswerID:
424541
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 22:23
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 22:23
A battery master switch would by-pass the Redarc.
FollowupID:
695004
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 22:28
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 22:28
This is our original winch kit. (made to order)
We now have the 'R' series isolators with the 'R' terminal so quite easy to wire up an extra winch solenoid. (DIY)
FollowupID:
695007
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 22:35
Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 22:35
Perhaps I should explain a bit better.
This picture shows the 'R' terminal which is the same as the blue wire on the Redarc. It can be wired to a heavy duty solenoid so that they work together.
The 'R' terminal can be controlled by the dash switch on the 'R' series monitor.
Note: 'R' series monitors due in 7 days.
FollowupID:
695008