battery isolator, good idea?

betayv

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 13, 2008
Messages
706
hello guys need some advice I have a 350 5.7 searay, with dual batteries and someone told me why I don't have a battery isolator?, is that a good advice, what is the benefit of that, need some feedback thanks.
 

KD4UPL

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 13, 2010
Messages
678
A battery isolator usually refers to a device using diodes. Avoid those. The diodes cause .7v of voltage drop and tend to burn out. The ACR (Automatic Charging Relay) is a much better choice. However, 2 batteries can and have been managed for years by many boaters with a simple battery switch. You don't have to have anything else, you just have to remember to put the switch in the right position for the situation.
 

wrench 3

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2012
Messages
2,108
The advantage of a battery selector switch is that you can run whatever electrical accessories you want, for as long as you want, with the engine off, and when the battery goes dead, you can switch to the other battery and still start the engine.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,353
hello guys need some advice I have a 350 5.7 searay, with dual batteries and someone told me why I don't have a battery isolator?, is that a good advice, what is the benefit of that, need some feedback thanks.

I did what your discussing and has been on my Rinker since it has been a year old, have had no issues. I also installed a 2-bank battery charger
Two Bat Isolater no switch.jpg

Agree an ACR does not have the .7V voltage drop and can be connected as such and can be installed with or without a battery charger. An ACR also allows for a single bank battery charger to be used
Two Bat w ACR.jpg
 
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