Are you considering a van conversion but worried about how to charge your battery? Having a reliable power source is extremely important when living on the road!
The good news is that you can install a Battery Isolator, which will keep your starting battery charged and make sure all of your electrical appliances have power from the secondary battery.
Understanding the basics of Battery Isolators and how they work will give you peace of mind and ensure that your van conversion doesn’t come to an abrupt stop. In this article, I’ll explain how a Battery Isolator works and why it is an essential part for any van conversion with a dual battery system.
Driving While Charging Your Rig’s House Battery Banks
Before we dive into the details of a Battery Isolator, let’s take a look at how to charge your van auxiliary batteries while driving.
When you are on the road, your main source of power is typically from your engine’s alternator. This alternator is connected to both the main battery and the auxiliary battery. The engine starting battery powers the engine and lights while driving, while the house battery bank powers all other electrical devices such as televisions, laptops or phones.
The problem is that if you are using more power than what your alternator can provide then it will start to drain your starter battery – potentially leaving you stranded! A Battery Isolator solves this problem by stopping power from flowing back and forth between the two batteries while you’re driving, ensuring they stay charged independently.
What is a Battery Isolator?
A 12v battery isolator is an electrical device that allows the charging of multiple batteries from a single charging source, such as an alternator or solar panel. It works by preventing the parasitic load from batteries from discharging into each other, ensuring that each battery receives an optimal charge. Battery isolators are commonly used in recreational vehicles, boats, and other applications where dual batteries are present.
How Does a Battery Isolator Work?
A battery isolator works by using diodes or relays to isolate the batteries from each other while charging. When the charging source, such as an alternator or solar panels, provides power, the battery isolator directs the current flow to the battery with the lowest charge. This prevents the batteries from discharging into each other and ensures that each battery is charged to its full capacity.
Types of Battery Isolators
Battery isolators come in three varieties: diode-base, solid-state, and relay-base. Diode-base is the simplest and least expensive option, but has a high voltage drop and is not suitable for higher current. Solid-state isolators are reliable and efficient but costlier than diode-base. Relay-base isolators are the costliest but able to handle maximum current.
When selecting a battery isolator, there are various factors that need to be taken into account. This includes the type of battery you will be re-energizing as certain types of batteries require different charge rates or voltage levels; hence, it is essential that you select an isolator compatible with the type of battery you have.
When selecting an isolator, take your power source into account. Ensure that the current rating of the isolator surpasses or is equivalent to your requirements. Additionally, factor in available space when deciding what size of isolator to employ.
What Is The Difference Between A Battery Isolator And A Battery Separator?
The main differences between 12 volt battery isolators and 12 volt battery separators is how they block energy transfer between batteries. An isolator uses diodes or relays to disconnect the batteries from each other, while a separator acts as a switch, regulating current in the vehicle’s electrical system. A separator additionally has the capability to identify which battery needs charging first, routing power to the primary battery ahead of others.
Which One Of These Should I Choose?
Battery isolators and separators differ in terms of direction of current flow, performance, and quiescent current draw. Isolators enable unilateral current flow using diodes, while separators support two-way current flow which is determined by the system parameters.
An isolator is a simpler and cheaper solution. Auxiliary equipment can run regardless of engine status. The isolator divides the main power systems from the vehicle. When the engine is active, all apparatus will draw from the main power source; and when it’s off, they will use the auxiliary battery instead.
When storing a vehicle for an extended period of time, two options exist to preserve the battery’s charge: an isolator and a battery separator. An isolator has no power draw, while a separator has a small one. A benefit of the separator is allowing external charging of both batteries; however, the associated self-discharging effects will decrease how much useful energy the battery holds.
An isolator is an important component for powering multi-battery systems, like utility vehicles with multiple engines. It helps to prevent any single battery from draining the second battery and all others in the system, ensuring a reliable and consistent power source across all auxiliary and main batteries. Depending on the system, a larger alternator might be necessary to enable even charging of all batteries.
Steps to Install a Battery Isolator
Installing a battery isolator in a van conversion is generally straightforward. Make sure the battery isolator you bought is suitable for the batteries and power supply you’re intending to use before starting. Before performing any work on the electrical system, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery (the black wire) and then the positive terminal (the red wire). Ensure all connections are secure before resuming operations in order to prevent voltage drop, voltage spikes, and the risk of electrocution. Cover any exposed wires and terminals using heat shrink tubing or electrical tape.
Step 1: Mount The Battery Isolator
Locate an appropriate mounting location for the isolator, such as near one of the batteries or close to your alternator or solar panel’s wiring. Make sure there is enough room for all of the cables and terminals associated with the install.
Securely mount your battery isolator and ensure that all connections are tight and secure before connecting any cables to ground (negative) posts on either battery or alternator/solar power wiring harnesses.
Step 2: Connect The Cables
Install the main power cable from your alternator or solar panel to one of the terminal posts on the battery isolator. Connect a cable between each terminal post on your battery isolator and its corresponding battery’s positive terminal post, making sure to observe polarity (positive to positive).
Follow the wiring diagram that comes with your isolator…each is a little different and it would be useless to detail them all here. Use best practices when terminating the connections, like employing ring connectors, lug connector, and shrink tubing to cover exposed wire.
Step 3: Test The Finished Product
Turn on the power source and test the charging system voltages to make sure all connections are working properly. A voltmeter should be used to check that the voltages are correct.
Conclusion
A Battery Isolator is an essential component for any van conversion with a multi-battery system, ensuring that all of your electrical devices can stay powered up while on the road. Understanding how a Battery Isolator works and what type is best suited for your needs will give you peace of mind knowing that no matter where life takes you, your van conversion won’t come to an abrupt stop due to lack of power!
