Got my new isolator!

Viggen

Just here...
Went with the Power Gate from Perfect Switch in 150 amp guise (Im running a 100 amp alternator). I bought the single rectifier version as Im not looking for my second battery to serve a self jump function (I have a jump box that can do that anyway). My requirements were to be able to run my fridge as long as I wanted without worrying about the main battery and its ability to start the truck. The auxiliary battery will be running the fridge and the aux lighting to a separate fused fuse box. The winch will be wired to the main battery that way the short pulls can be done on batteries in parallel.

I chose not to got with the Hell Roaring kit as it is basically a trickle charger for the second battery and not exactly that efficient (look at the heat sink on it). I also didnt go for the Luna kit as I wasnt interested in all the extras that came with it, not to mention the size of the unit itself versus the Power Gate.

Ill be doing the installing probably next weekend sometime as I want to do some rewiring at the same time. Here are a few pictures of the switch itself taken with my Crackberry (so, theyre not the best but get the job done). I put my ruler on top of the unit to give you an idea of size. Its a little over 5.5" long and about an inch and a half thick. Youll notice that there is no gigantic heat sink needed. This has a ton of MOSFETs in it (compared to only a couple in the Hell Roaring) and that, along with its internal design make it extremely efficient. Mine was tested at 232 amps with a 31 mV drop! Not too shabby.

IMG00050%231.jpg

IMG00048.jpg

IMG00047.jpg


Wiring it up is super simple too. Ill update with more pictures (real ones, I promise), as I get it installed. Oh, its Made in the USA too! Huge plus.

Extra reading:
http://www.perfectswitch.com/power-gate/battery-discharge-controllers/single-rectifier-isolator/
http://www.off-roadweb.com/tech/0803or_dual_battery_setup_seamless_switching/index.html
The above is the original style using blade connectors rather than the new model (what I have) which uses posts. The original used blade connections as electrically, they are more efficient. They went ahead and attached posts to the internals in order to streamline installations.

Scott and the guys at Perfect Switch are passionate about their products and know their stuff. He has a Cruiser that he camps in so he knows what we expect from our trucks.
 

Ludedude

Adventurer
You still happy with this setup? I'm about to start on my second battery project and have narrowed my choices down to the Powergate or the Piranha DBE180s+ with DBM3D monitor. The Powergate looks good but I'll have to come up with an independent way to monitor voltages in the cabin which may suck enough that the Piranha setup becomes easier.
 

Viggen

Just here...
I do like it. It does all the work for itself. Why do you need to monitor voltages? Im curious as I dont feel the need to do that. The second battery is completely isolated and the main (starter) battery is left alone. I watch the voltage of the main battery only and let the Power Gate worry about the yellow top aux battery. Talk to Scott there about the Power Gate.
 

anand

New member
This looks like a nice piece and I've been looking for one like this for a while for my truck... Only thing I don't like is that it would require wiring it inline between the alternator and the main battery; where as most of the other's that I've seen wire in between the two batteries.
 

spressomon

Expedition Leader
I have the PowerGate Dual Rectifier. Works great; small package; easy to install; just works. I'd buy it again no question.

I use a ScanGauge II to monitor alt output voltage...
 

Ludedude

Adventurer
I do like it. It does all the work for itself. Why do you need to monitor voltages? Im curious as I dont feel the need to do that. The second battery is completely isolated and the main (starter) battery is left alone. I watch the voltage of the main battery only and let the Power Gate worry about the yellow top aux battery. Talk to Scott there about the Power Gate.

No real way to know the health of the batteries unless you look at their voltage separately both while charging and at rest. At least that's why I want to be able to do that.

Something like this
BAT-1%20small.jpg
might work, but I've seen them with dual-voltage displays as well so no external switching would be required.
 

ChrisInVT

Adventurer
That thing is sick. I have a dumb isolator with two rectifiers and an exciter. One burnt up so now I have the alternator and battery 1 on the input terminal, and the battery 2 on the battery 1 terminal. The battery 2 terminal doesn't put out ANYTHING at all (I found this out the hard way when I drained the deep-cycle down to the point of not being able to even run a light). If it didn't have an exctier terminal, I'd be screwed.

I like the idea of this one, how much did it cost? I'd like to get a dual rectifier version - I'd also love to monitor my voltages and have a jumpstart function. Right now I just short the terminals to jumpstart myeslf.
 

Ludedude

Adventurer
From my reading, the dual 'rectifier' version automatically puts the two batteries in parallel when starting, so no jumpstart mode or switching is required.

I'm still researching voltage monitoring options.
 

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