battery isolator

[anti*commander]

has anyone heard of the STINGER SR200 i was wondering what people thougt about this. should i go with a relay type or the other type (dont know the name) i dont care if the relay blows after a year or so i dont mind replacing it.

oh and before i forget, what is the output of a stock 99 XLT alternator i think its 90 amps but i want to be sure, and is 130 amps the highest rated alternator that they make for an explorer?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Could you post a link for the isolator? The isolator is similar to a diode pack with 2 diodes designed to handle high current. Always use an isolator with a higher rating than the alternator.

 

[anti*commander]

http://cgi.ebay.com/STINGER-SR200-H...ryZ14932QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

its 200 amps so i think that should be sufficient

 

[BrooklynBay]

The price is good. They usually cost almost twice as much as that. It's just a high current relay/solenoid, not an actual diode isolator.

 

[anti*commander]

so do you think this would be sufficient for a dual battery setup, i dont know if this will make much of a difference but i am putting the battery in the back hatch area, i have nowhere else to put it, unless there is some place under the hood that i missed. The wire is 0 gauge that is going to go to the back.

 

[BrooklynBay]

It would work, but keep in mind that the battery won't be totally isolated all of the time with this set up. The advantage is that it won't have the 0.7 volt drop like the diode style isolators, but it will have to switch on, and off when there is a need for the second battery. It will still have to charge all of the time off of the alternator.

 

[anti*commander]

i understand how it works, and the general idea, the only im worried about now is my alternator, i need to get a higher amperage one other than my stock but i dont have much money now. would i be able to use my stock alternator for a month or two without problems?

 

[BrooklynBay]

What are you planning on running that you need so much current? I have 4 gauge wire on my rear battery with a diode style isolator.

 

[jimbo74]

its fine, your truck shouldnt be drawing more than enough power running, the only real reason to have a second battery is if you plan on running the car for extended periods of time with the car off....

also, the stinger unit is one mroe seen for audio installations... ive never quite trusted those, i have always trusted things that go into RVs... stuff that will actually see everyday beating, not an occassional sound competition

 

[Wagonized]

ive never had a need to use an isolator. doesnt really make sense to me

 

[anti*commander]

well the reason im adding a battery is because i need to keep my carputer charging constantly (laptop) because the battery on it is dead and if there is no power it wont recover from hibernation, so i keep it plugged into a power inverter, plus i go camping alot and like to listen to some music and use the inverters for a fridge and to power the xbox for a little fun. but the only thing im concerned about is the stock alternator being able to charge both of the batteries.