[C320-list] Battery Isolation

[Jeff Church]

Good info. I looked all over for a Schottky diode isolator and didn't 
find out that Guest made one. It also didn't occur to me that relay-type 
devices could create RF noise. I just found the Guest unit (#2530) at 
Pyacht.com for about $140.

I recently installed a Sure Power Schottky-diode isolator when I 
installed a starting battery on my 387. According to several sources, 
using an isolator is a better approach than using any of the combiners 
or other relay-type devices. The biggest problem with a combiner/relay 
is that when the charging device initially starts and the combiner 
closes, the depleted house bank can immediately draw a lot of current 
from the  starting battery. Some of the devices like the Echo Charger 
might not operate that way, but you should check on that before buying 
one. The advantage of the combiner is that it is easier to install and 
less wire ($$) is required.

In order to install an isolator you will need to remove the wire that 
connects the alternator to the starter motor, and run a #6 wire from the 
alternator to the input terminal on the isolator. Then from the #1 and 
#2 output terminals on the isolator you run wires to the battery switch 
#1 and #2 terminals, or directly to the house and starting batteries.

Good luck.

JeffC


 
jelliott at landspring.net wrote:
> I'm learning more... These are relay-based devices; Blue Sea tech support
> says they may induce RF noise if installed at the panel vs. at the battery
> (not desirable in my case).  Have you experienced this?
>
> The Guest isolators use Schottkey diodes, which induce a load (and
> corresponding heat), but don't suffer the potential RF problem.
>
> As usual, there is a tradeoff...
>
> Julian
>
>
>
>   
>> The Yandina is the one I used (mine is a WM re-label of this product.)
>> It's
>> as simple as described. The Blue Seas Relay will definitely do the trick
>> as
>> well...
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Jon Vez
>> Solstice #582
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
>> jelliott at landspring.net
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 4:09 PM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Battery Isolation
>>
>> John,
>>
>> I see WM has a Blue Sea Systems Starting Isolation Charging Relay which
>> seems to do the trick.  Is that what you installed?
>>
>> Also seen similar items from Guest and from a company called Yandina
>> (http://www.yandina.com/NewCatalog.htm).
>>
>> Looks like this fits the bill with a fairly straightforward installation.
>> Almost too simple to be real...
>>
>> Julian
>>
>>
>>
>>     
>>> Julian,
>>>
>>> I have the exact setup you describe. I used a battery combiner from West
>>> Marine. It's a simple device that you simply wire to each pole on the
>>> back
>>> of your current switch--one wire to the '1' and the other to the '2'.
>>> It's
>>> about the size of a match box and takes a couple of minutes to install.
>>> It
>>> will combine the batteries when motoring via the alternator and isolate
>>> them
>>> when not receiving a charge. Is the 'easy' solution to this problem....
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Jon Vez
>>> Solstice #582
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
>>> jelliott at landspring.net
>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 10:59 AM
>>> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>>> Subject: [C320-list] Battery Isolation
>>>
>>> I am in the process of modifying my electrical system, and am curious as
>>> to how others electrically isolate the house bank from the starting
>>> battery.
>>>
>>> I have two 4D's under the settee paralleled as my house bank, and a
>>> separate  starting battery located in the port lazarrette.  Both are
>>> connected to independent channels of a Xantrax Truecharge 20.   The
>>> house
>>> bank is monitored with a Link 10.
>>>
>>> The banks are still not electrically isolated; I assume this is a result
>>> of a common connection to the alternator?  How do others handled this?
>>> I
>>> understand there are battery isolators that do this?  Any advice on how
>>> to
>>> "break" this return circuit (if that's the cause) would be appreciated.
>>> I
>>> am not very interested in adding a second switch which I know some have
>>> done.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Julian
>>> Polaris #340
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>       
>>
>>     
>
>
>
>