Battery Seperators

I have one in my 05 Landcruiser 100 series GXL - presume it was there from the new fitout for the original owner (Gov.t - Primary Industries, SA). I've had the car for 3.5 years - the Surepower unit has been fine for me. Presume you got warranty replacements ? Couple of notes.........
I see Surepower claim to have invented the battery isolator! Redarc is a good South Aussie company ! :-o).

Hi
If the Surepower isolator you have is the 3wire diode isolator type then they are very basic , simply two heavy duty diodes .
The failure may be due to location,excessive heat, or incorrect current rating
Normally such devises are very failure & trouble free.
They do not give best charge [ highest charge ] to both batteries due to voltage losses in the diodes

Peter

I have had Surepower units for 10 years, including 2 in my current vehicle without a hint of a problem. They are made in the US and I am pretty sure ARB still sell them as their own main brand in Australia as they have had exclusive rights for a long time. ( You can get them mailed from the US for less than half the price, like most ARB things).

I use mine to join the batteries to start and sometimes for winching. Thats 650A while starting.

One note. The first one I got was wired up by ARB. I didn't notice for a long time but it was wired incorrectly. It was wired with the override connected to the accessories so it joined the batteries EVERY START. I noticed because one time I had a dead flat starter battery and it started first go. When I traced the wires abck it made sense. Maybe check the wiring, that would have a detrimental effect on any overridable smart solinoid. I was amaized it was still working after lots of years.

Also they are not a dual diode design. They are a large solinoid with a microprocessor control, similar to a Redarc ( but with slightly higher cut out voltage which preserves the starter battery more).

Hi,

Yes I had a Surepower installed by ARB and yes it failed after just 2 years. It became very unreliable. The contacts just weren't connecting properly. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. In the end I got so ...... ... with I changed it for a Redarc and touch wood have had no further problems since.

Both Sure Power and Redarc use the same basic solenoid.

There is no reason one would last longer than the other except for cut in voltages causing cycling in the isolator.

Here is a picture of the small contacts in the solenoid that normally burn or pit.

Hi All

I have read your posts with interest and thank you for the support of Redarc products.

It is true that ARB 4X4 Accessories are now supplying the REDARC SmartStart Dual Battery Isolators throughout their company stores, franchisees and stockists.

Redarc Engineers have spent considerable time in the design, development and testing to ensure the SBI12 is the best dual battery isolator on the market.

We have developed some smart 'power saving' technology that has been patented to ensure our solenoid runs as cool as possible and hence lasts an extended period of time in an under bonnet installation in the middle of Australia. It is also ensures that your second battery receives the maximum amount of charge rather than energy being wasted and expelled as heat.

Our SmartStart is standard fitment in Australian Police vehicles to look after the second battery that runs the communication systems. It is also fitted in Jayco caravans in the factory and is used by 4X4 clubs Australia wide.

Our Engineers are continuously working with our customers to ensure that our products are state of the art. Given the changing technology in new vehicle charging systems it is important that we provide you with a solution to ensure your power needs in remote locations.

If you ever have any concerns regarding our products which are backed by a two year warranty Australia wide please do not hesitate to contact us at power@redarc.com.au or call 08 8322 4848 and we will be pleased to assist you.

Kind regards

Anthony Kittel
CEO & Managing Director
REDARC Electronics Pty Ltd