Please Explain Battery Isolator Operation/Function

[Eric Johnson]

Hello Tom,
Thanks for isolator and auxiliary switch explanations. I will have to get the
generator
battery connected to a separate charger. Xantrex chargers can operate in
flooded, AGM or
gel modes depending on the setting you choose on the control panel. It cannot
operate in
more than one mode at a time. There are differences in charge rate and voltage
between
the battery types so even though the isolator will prevent one battery from
draining
another, it will expose all batteries to the same recharge settings with
possible damage
and shorter life for some depending on the mode you choose.

In hindsight, I would have been better off to install the same type of battery
throughout. It
didn't dawn on me about the possible isolator connection until I reread the
Xantrex
manual on charging modes.

Eric Johnson
84FC35SB
San Antonio Texas

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner wrote:
>
> There are 3 terminals on your isolator. The center goes to your
> alternator and charger, one end terminal goes to your chassis battery
> and the other end terminal goes to generator battery.
>
> The auxillary switch on the dash connects the chassis batteries and
> generator batteries in parallel so that either the low chassis
> batteries will be "boosted" by the generator battery or if the
> generator battery is low, the chassis battery can "boost" it.
>
> In the configuration you noted the charger is charging both the
> chassis and generator batteries. But there really isnt a problem
> since each battery is "isolated" from the other.
>
> Is this what you were looking for?
>
> Tom Warner
> 1982 FC35
> Vernon center,NY
>
>
> At 07:20 PM 11/6/2005, you wrote:
> >My coach has 4 - 6 volt AGM batteries that serve as starting and
> >accessory DC supply. I have
> >a gel battery mounted in the generator compartment that starts the
> >generator. I have an
> >"isolator" in the coach battery compartment with leads coming from
> >the coach and generator
> >batteries. I use a Xantrex 40 Truecharge, located in the center
> >driver's side compartment, to
> >keep the coach batteries charged. On the dash I have a rocker switch
> >that reads "auxiliary
> >battery". My understanding of the dash switch is you can use it
> >momentarily to augment the
> >coach batteries if they're too low to get the engine started.
> >
> >I've read a number of references to isolators but am clueless on how
> >they function and would
> >appreciate some education on the subject. I'm particularly curious
> >if my Xantrex charger may
> >be supplying the generator battery as well as the coach batteries.
> >Xantrex says mixing battery
> >types with the same charger is not a good thing.
> >
> >Eric Johnson
> >84FC35SB
> >San Antonio Texas
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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