| Author |
Message |
Microwire
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:40 am Posts: 543 Location: Casula
Vehicle: Vitara 90'
|
 Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:42 am |
|
|
Hi All,
Long time no post, and no I don't have an LSD, you were right.
Ok Now that's done with, I've recently installed a dual battery system with a Steed battery isolator from Jaycar. The problem with this is, is that it says that if my alternator needs ' External Exitation Voltage' to make it work then I will need to modify my setup as the diodes in the isolator will prevent it from working.
Now. My idea was to run a wire with a switch on it bypassing the isolator so I can manually switch on the alternator.
Will this work?
Will it make the isolator null and void and just not work properly?
Am I looking at this all wrong?
Thanks in advance.
Micro.
|
|
|
|
|
royce
omnipotent being
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:30 pm Posts: 17216 Location: Pluto
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:43 am |
|
|
got a link to the unit?
Better yet take it back, there are numerous better and simpler ways to charge and isolate dual batteries
|
|
|
|
|
Microwire
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:40 am Posts: 543 Location: Casula
Vehicle: Vitara 90'
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:15 am |
|
|
|
|
Lockie666
az supporter
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 11:30 pm Posts: 1874 Location: Perth
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:19 am |
|
You could of got a red arc for the same price 
_________________
helloo
|
|
|
|
|
royce
omnipotent being
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:30 pm Posts: 17216 Location: Pluto
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:29 am |
|
|
righto I think I get it now
I 'think' they are self exciting (IE will start making power with no measurable voltage at teh charge terminal) so that part wont be a drama.
what will be a drama is assuming that box just has 2 diodes inside and no smarts the alternator is looking at a separate wire to determine battery voltage, if the start battery is pretty well charged and the aux pretty flat I cant see how the alternator will keep charging at any rate of knots, the main battery might stay low enough to keep the alternator trickling some in but I otherwise dont see it being real good
If you dont want to take it back, chuck it on teh shelf and call it a lesson learnt, switches and shit will be great till the one time you forget it
|
|
|
|
|
fordem
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:30 pm Posts: 2656 Location: Georgetown, Guyana
Vehicle: APK416, A6G415, A6N415
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 1:51 pm |
|
|
As far as I know the OEM alternators are not self exciting - they require an input from the ignition system (via the 2 pin plug) for excitation.
However, since the same 2 pin plug also supplies the regulator reference, the alternator output will be referenced to the vehicle's system voltage and everything else Royce has said is applicable.
Additionally - if that unit is just two isolating diodes - the diodes will have a forward voltage drop to the order of 0.6V - so with an alternator regulated to a (for example) 14.2 V output, the voltage delivered to the battery (ies) will be 13.6, so you can expect a reduction in charge rate.
|
|
|
|
|
Microwire
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:40 am Posts: 543 Location: Casula
Vehicle: Vitara 90'
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:56 pm |
|
|
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the reply. I think I'll listen to your advice and return it I want something that's gonna work good. Since I've got all the wiring and everything now in place what system would you recommend? and where would I buy the bits from?
|
|
|
|
|
squibby
Joined: Wed May 11, 2011 3:13 am Posts: 645 Location: Brisbane
Vehicle: On the lookout
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:58 pm |
|
Microwire wrote: Hey Guys,
Thanks for the reply. I think I'll listen to your advice and return it I want something that's gonna work good. Since I've got all the wiring and everything now in place what system would you recommend? and where would I buy the bits from?
Search ABR sidewinder on ebay. They are water resistant not waterproof, but other then that they seem ok and are dirt cheap. I got one.
|
|
|
|
|
stocker
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:16 am Posts: 941 Location: Shidoni!
|
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:24 am |
|
|
Good ol Supercheap auto will hook you up with a cheap Dual battery setup that is waterproof. for about 100bucks.
_________________
Stocker
|
|
|
|
|
Microwire
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:40 am Posts: 543 Location: Casula
Vehicle: Vitara 90'
|
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:20 am |
|
|
OK - I returned the unit.
Now, I had a look at the ABR Sidewinder, looks simple enough - should I get that? or elsewhere?
BTW, don't know if it matters but my alternator is off a swift since mine died on the way to melbourne.
|
|
|
|
|
royce
omnipotent being
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:30 pm Posts: 17216 Location: Pluto
|
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:27 am |
|
|
yeah the ABR will be fine, or a Redarc, or a projecta, or a whatever similar thing you have close by
|
|
|
|
|
skyman
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 2:06 pm Posts: 1328 Location: Yakima, wa (us)
|
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:33 am |
|
|
So how do these work?
1 wire to each battery, and one to the center post for regulator reference, or what?
I have one of these and was going to chuck it in because it is here and on the shelf (free and shiniy), but I will use a solenoid or something else if these things are shit.
|
|
|
|
|
Microwire
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:40 am Posts: 543 Location: Casula
Vehicle: Vitara 90'
|
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:02 am |
|
|
Yeah it's a single post in the middle is for the alternator and (having the middle post on the bottom) the left top post should be your aux battery and the right top post should be your main.
When I returned it, the bloke at Jaycar said a way around alternator issues it leave your setup as is and then run a wire from your main battery to the middle alternator post and then wire up the aux as per above. this way the alternator should function as normal. I didn't want to risk it so opted for refund.
I think I might try the ABR one, looks good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
