While not huge, the little bits of extra fuel will start to add up not to mention the initial installation expense when putting in an isolator. On the other hand, simply having a battery isolator will end up reducing efficiency when it comes time to recharge. Getting stuck with a dead engine on the water is just too much of a risk. On the positive side, having two separate batteries is absolutely essential whenever there’s a chance you will need to use a lot of power while the engine is off. With the mechanics in mind, it’s time to look at what the results of a battery isolator will be on your boat. This type of isolator has the advantage of allowing entertainment systems to utilize a bit of the starter battery’s power without risking letting it get too low to start. These “smart” isolators allow flow between the two batteries when voltage is high, but automatically restrict that flow when either battery falls below a certain voltage threshold. The isolator is then used to connect the secondary battery into the system. With the alternator connected onto the starter battery, it is allowed to charge normally. Whichever type the inverter is used, the end result is slightly reduced power flowing in a consistent direction.įinally, there is a second type of battery isolator growing in popularity more recently. The mechanics of these vary from simply blocking any flow from the opposite direction to more complex three phase systems. To switch this to a consistent flow direction (DC) a power rectifier is needed. This works because for many applications, such as for a lightbulb, the direction of electric flow doesn’t actually matter, it’s the energy released by the very act of electrons moving that feeds these mechanisms. the negative wire becomes positive before reverting to negative).īy switching back and forth dozens of times each second a constantly energized state is reached without letting the electrons actually travel too far. To do that there is a certain necessity of converting the alternating electrical current (AC) from the alternator into the direct current (DC) necessary to prevent backflow of power.Īlternating current (AC) is a form of electricity that switches the polarity of its flow periodically (i.e. The original method most commonly used for accomplishing this is by splitting the current running out of the alternator and then simply running both branches through a diode.
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