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Subject:Re: Isolator vs Seperator (mechanical relay) was Re: Sure Power 1315 battery separator
From:mark drillock
Date:Mon, 13 Mar 2006 14:43:25 -0800

I think the rule of thumb is to leave the isolators for some other
vehicle and use either a relay or the Surepower separator which is a
smart relay.

Installing the isolator in a Vanagon has too many drawbacks that the
relay or separator don't have. Please explain exactly what you now think
an isolator can do better than a 1315. It certainly does plenty worse.

Mark

TC wrote:

>>ARE THERE THERE ANY ADVANTAGES TO AN ISOLATOR at all ?
>>OK I just found this any comments ?
>>http://www.smithae.com/surepower.html
>>
>>
>luv this talking to myself thx for the sounding board
>So I think the rule of thumb is
>if your useage pattern is more towards
>staying & using your aux batt & discharging more fully so that when the
>charge
>cycle starts your aux batt has a substantial recharge requirement
>then you should consider an isolator solution.
>if your discharge cycle
>1) does not tend to drain the aux right down
>OR
>a low voltage disconnet is installed
>OR
>a solar charge system is charging at the same time as discharge so that the
>aux never realy has a full drain
>the battery seperartor is a better solution
>
>hopefully this is the bottom line on isolator vs mechanical relay
>
>
>
>