10-23-2022, 02:00 AM
@Richard, that's good information, thank you.
I'm sure you're far more mechanically inclined than I -- although in my limited experience, if we were to burn an alternator belt, I'd take that as an indication I might be overdoing it.
Going with an isolator rather than VSR wouldn't alleviate that issue; however, lowering the voltage on the regulator or better yet, using a DC-DC charger, would be best in that scenario.
I hope that most people are aware that charging a low SoC battery bank is best done by the generator (when no pedestal available). If they do not, I hope they consider added precautions for that unique usage scenario.
Back on the original topic, this application still appears to be a better fit for a VSR than replacing the isolator, in my humble opinion.
One of the most popular models in yachting is the Blue Sea Systems brand. They are very well proven; the most deployed of any such hardware and it's a superior solution to the original poster's problem.
If it were my coach (and if I were running SLA/AGM in both banks), I would go with something like an Blue Sea VSR over an isolator.
Blue Sea 7620 ML-ACR Automatic Battery Separator for Auxiliary Batteries 12V/500 Amps | Powerwerx
I'm not suggesting this is the only option or the best option; this is merely what I'd use in that scenario (photo included below).
If I went one step further and I was using the alternator to charge low SoC batteries frequently (technically, while important in that scenario, I'd technically go with this solution across-the-board, and this is precisely what we've used in every RV we've owned) -- I would use a DC-DC charger between the chassis/house battery banks. That is, by far, the safest route.
The newer Renogy's are the best value for the money. You gain all of the benefits of the VSR (plus added intelligence), solar MPPT charger, reduced current, to lower the load on your alternator, and safer battery charge-rate (extending the life of the batteries). You also buy yourself a bit of future-proofing if you prefer to change battery chemistries in the future. All for only $100 (or so) more than a VSR or Isolator.
![[Image: blue-sea-7620-ml-acr-automatic-battery-s...12_580.jpg]](https://powerwerx.azureedge.net/powerwerxpictures/blue-sea-7620-ml-acr-automatic-battery-separator-for-auxiliary-batteries-12v500-amps__7212_580.jpg)
I'm sure you're far more mechanically inclined than I -- although in my limited experience, if we were to burn an alternator belt, I'd take that as an indication I might be overdoing it.
Going with an isolator rather than VSR wouldn't alleviate that issue; however, lowering the voltage on the regulator or better yet, using a DC-DC charger, would be best in that scenario.
I hope that most people are aware that charging a low SoC battery bank is best done by the generator (when no pedestal available). If they do not, I hope they consider added precautions for that unique usage scenario.
Back on the original topic, this application still appears to be a better fit for a VSR than replacing the isolator, in my humble opinion.
One of the most popular models in yachting is the Blue Sea Systems brand. They are very well proven; the most deployed of any such hardware and it's a superior solution to the original poster's problem.
If it were my coach (and if I were running SLA/AGM in both banks), I would go with something like an Blue Sea VSR over an isolator.
Blue Sea 7620 ML-ACR Automatic Battery Separator for Auxiliary Batteries 12V/500 Amps | Powerwerx
I'm not suggesting this is the only option or the best option; this is merely what I'd use in that scenario (photo included below).
If I went one step further and I was using the alternator to charge low SoC batteries frequently (technically, while important in that scenario, I'd technically go with this solution across-the-board, and this is precisely what we've used in every RV we've owned) -- I would use a DC-DC charger between the chassis/house battery banks. That is, by far, the safest route.
The newer Renogy's are the best value for the money. You gain all of the benefits of the VSR (plus added intelligence), solar MPPT charger, reduced current, to lower the load on your alternator, and safer battery charge-rate (extending the life of the batteries). You also buy yourself a bit of future-proofing if you prefer to change battery chemistries in the future. All for only $100 (or so) more than a VSR or Isolator.