Battery Isolator

[Razzman]

Ok so I've poured over the archives till I'm cross-eyed and didn't see this question but may have missed it. When adding an isolator what the general rule of thumb for amps? Same as the alt? Double the amps of the alt? Does it matter? If you have a 65 amp alt and add a 200 amp iso does it matter? I want to have an iso that will handle an alt upgrade if possible.

[Razzman]

Crap! I meant to post this in general!

[Moki]

I just ordered an alternator and isolator from Spharis' contact at DB Electrical -- Great guys and awesome value. The alternator is putting out at least 140 amps and my isolator is 140 amps. So, I assume you want them to match. I am sure that it wouldn't hurt to go higher on the isolator, but it seems that you would just be wasting money. But I will defer to the "rain man" of electical, Spharis for final word.

[Razzman]

I just ordered an alternator and isolator from Spharis' contact at DB Electrical -- Great guys and awesome value. The alternator is putting out at least 140 amps and my isolator is 140 amps. So, I assume you want them to match. I am sure that it wouldn't hurt to go higher on the isolator, but it seems that you would just be wasting money. But I will defer to the "rain man" of electical, Spharis for final word.

What brand of iso and how much was it for that 140 amp from DB?

[Jeff T]

I have the same 140 amp alt and 140 iso from DB electrical. I think the iso was around $65 (can't remember exactly. I can look later tonight.)

FWIW, DBE has EXCELLENT customer service.

[spharis]

Match the isolator to the charging system amperage (alternator output).

They are all rebranded. If you look at the ones made by Stinger or marine specific like Sea Dog, you will see they are the same with different stickers on them. You can pick up the stingers for cheap on ebay or through DB.

[Razzman]

Match the isolator to the charging system amperage (alternator output).

They are all rebranded. If you look at the ones made by Stinger or marine specific like Sea Dog, you will see they are the same with different stickers on them. You can pick up the stingers for cheap on ebay or through DB.

Stingers, that was my next question. I've noticed two types of iso's, either the solenoid style like the stinger or the square multi-post sealed type. What's the diff between the two? Does the stinger have the intelligence to independantly charge the low batt? I was wondering as the stinger only seems to have two battery cable terminals where the others are rated 2/3 batts.