Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 21:38:04 -0700
Reply-To: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
Subject: Re: Becketts Tome on Dual Batt.s,Relays,Saftey,and charging
(VeryLong)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi Harald!
> I've seen a battery combiner once.
> Basically, to me it looked like a big starter-type
> solenoid/relay that connects two batteries.
No, this doesn't look like any solenoid/relay I've ever seen... take a look:
http://www.westmarine.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=201&prrf
nbr=7470&outlet=
or just go to the www.westmarine.com and search for 'combiner'
> If memory serves me right, the solenoid is activated
> by sensing a voltage increase.
> It wouldn't be that different than using a 50 amp relay
> with a larger trigger wire to the Bosch alt.
I think it is a lot different than a simple relay: apparently it combines
the batteries when it senses a charging current and then it separates the
batteries when it senses a current draw on either battery or if one of the
batteries is drained down.... This would be a lot different than a relay
since a relay keeps them combined as long as then engine is running.
but I'm not certain... you'd have to talk to the tech people and/or read the
instructions.
> It would make installation easier, if one wouldn't have
> the relay trigger circuit like in the vanagon.
> But you can't really compare it to an isolator.
I think you can..... In fact West Marine sells both the Sure Power and the
Combiner and in their catalogue they seem to recommend the Combiner over the
isolator... and one of the tech guys also recommended it over the isolator
when I talked to him about a year ago... but don't get me wrong, I really am
not sure... just another idea.
> Btw, Sure Power isolators are used in lots of marine
> applications.
Yes... West Marine has both in their catalogue and they seem to recommend
Combiners over isolators. Check out their catalogue.
Bill
> Have fun.
> Harald
> '90 westy
> ----------
> > From: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: Becketts Tome on Dual Batt.s,Relays,Saftey,and charging
> (VeryLong)
> > Date: Monday, June 19, 2000 6:31 PM
> >
> > Anyone considering an isolator might want to look into a Battery
> Combiner.
> >
> > They are sold by West Marine. I believe they claim no voltage drop
across
> > them like isolators. And my impression is that virtually everything
> marine
> > is superior in quality to automotive stuff.
> >
> > West Marine has a tech department that you can talk with. The 50A model
> > 143268 is listed in their catalogue for 59.99... www.westmarine.com
> > Bill
> >
>
