Maybe I’m the only one here nervous about disconnecting the batteries in a dual battery system installed by a previous owner, but just in case I’m not I thought I’d post my process.
My Jeep has a National Luna dual battery isolator ("intelligent solenoid") with a monitor/controller installed inside the cabin. It was a clean install, but the sheer number of accessories connected (fridge, water heater, lights, compressor, etc) made for lots of wires. It was a daunting proposition for me.
I didn’t find anything specifically related to disconnecting the system anywhere online (specifically checking here and on NL’s website) so I used NL’s installation instructions and tried to work the process backwards. I really wanted a step-by-step guide to follow.
When I had a sort of checklist worked out, I emailed it to Paul at Equipt Expedition Outfitters (www.Equipt1.com) since they are the US distributor for NL. He emailed me back almost immediately with some improvements to my plan plus some additional guidance. Thanks, Paul!
There are endless debates regarding the best types/brands/sizes/categories of batteries to use for this job. I simplified the decision by using the same type of battery already installed (East Penn/Deka Intimidator) because all of wires, harness, etc. were cut to fit these dual-post batteries.
My initial plan was to only replace the starter battery since the house battery was still good, but ultimately I just decided to replace them both while I had everything disconnected. They are same type/vintage and I had to remove the house battery anyway to get to the starter battery.
When I disconnected each lead, I wrapped it first in electrical tape and then in masking tape which I marked with the battery & post it came from and the order in which it should be reconnected. This was useful for me because it was a few days between removal and reinstall and I don’t trust my memory. I also took a lot of pictures with my phone of course.
Here is the amended guidance I got from Paul. As I mentioned, I had to basically repeat the process below on the house battery as well since I had to remove it to get to the starter battery. Everything has been working great for the last few weeks and 2 camping trips. Maybe this will help someone else down the line...
1. Disconnect Dual Battery controller from Intelligent Solenoid at either end of the cable. Disconnect the small black wire that goes from the Intelligent Solenoid to main battery ground. * Disconnect all terminations to main battery ground.* This will isolate the main and house batteries.
2. Disconnect the positive wire that goes to the Intelligent solenoid at the main battery, as well as any accessories.
3. Remove and replace main battery.* Reconnect main battery to NL system and house battery, connecting positive terminal first.*
4. Reconnect all accessories, connecting positive terminals first.*
And here are a few pics of my mess:
My Jeep has a National Luna dual battery isolator ("intelligent solenoid") with a monitor/controller installed inside the cabin. It was a clean install, but the sheer number of accessories connected (fridge, water heater, lights, compressor, etc) made for lots of wires. It was a daunting proposition for me.
I didn’t find anything specifically related to disconnecting the system anywhere online (specifically checking here and on NL’s website) so I used NL’s installation instructions and tried to work the process backwards. I really wanted a step-by-step guide to follow.
When I had a sort of checklist worked out, I emailed it to Paul at Equipt Expedition Outfitters (www.Equipt1.com) since they are the US distributor for NL. He emailed me back almost immediately with some improvements to my plan plus some additional guidance. Thanks, Paul!
There are endless debates regarding the best types/brands/sizes/categories of batteries to use for this job. I simplified the decision by using the same type of battery already installed (East Penn/Deka Intimidator) because all of wires, harness, etc. were cut to fit these dual-post batteries.
My initial plan was to only replace the starter battery since the house battery was still good, but ultimately I just decided to replace them both while I had everything disconnected. They are same type/vintage and I had to remove the house battery anyway to get to the starter battery.
When I disconnected each lead, I wrapped it first in electrical tape and then in masking tape which I marked with the battery & post it came from and the order in which it should be reconnected. This was useful for me because it was a few days between removal and reinstall and I don’t trust my memory. I also took a lot of pictures with my phone of course.
Here is the amended guidance I got from Paul. As I mentioned, I had to basically repeat the process below on the house battery as well since I had to remove it to get to the starter battery. Everything has been working great for the last few weeks and 2 camping trips. Maybe this will help someone else down the line...
1. Disconnect Dual Battery controller from Intelligent Solenoid at either end of the cable. Disconnect the small black wire that goes from the Intelligent Solenoid to main battery ground. * Disconnect all terminations to main battery ground.* This will isolate the main and house batteries.
2. Disconnect the positive wire that goes to the Intelligent solenoid at the main battery, as well as any accessories.
3. Remove and replace main battery.* Reconnect main battery to NL system and house battery, connecting positive terminal first.*
4. Reconnect all accessories, connecting positive terminals first.*
And here are a few pics of my mess:
