How Does a Dual Battery Isolator Work? – The Ultimate Guide

So, how does a dual battery isolator work? The workflow is pretty simple if you follow this ultimate guide till the end.

An isolator has a strong relationship with the battery. Large trucks, airplanes, boats, utility vehicles, and recreational vehicles frequently use battery isolators. However, the use of another battery would be a good idea to ensure backup. That is where a dual battery isolator will come in handy. 

Most types of vehicles run on battery isolators. So, it is important to know how a dual battery isolator works. Keeping that in mind, we gathered ideas to demonstrate the workflow of a dual battery isolator in the best way possible. 

What is a Dual Battery Isolator?

An isolator is a mechanical switch that separates the input and output of a vehicle or device while it is connected to a battery. A dual battery isolator is pretty similar, except there are 2 batteries instead of one.

Being a two-port device, an isolator can only transmit frequencies (radio or microwave) in a single direction. Its internal characteristics function in a way that allows propagation from one direction while blocking the other.

The first one is the Starter battery, and the second one works like an Accessory battery.

How Does A Dual Battery Isolator Work: Explained In Detail

As we previously mentioned, multi or dual battery isolators are used in aircraft, large trucks, boats, and other utility vehicles that need to use multiple batteries as a source of backup power. Nowadays, isolators are also used in functioning electric vehicle systems. We believe its use will only increase in the future.  

-So, it is important to know the functionality of a dual battery isolator. 

A dual battery isolator works closely with an electrical battery, permitting electricity or frequencies in a single direction. At the same time, it prohibits electricity from flowing from the opposite direction. 

What does a dual battery isolator do?

The primary purpose of a dual battery isolator is to keep the entire electrical system running even when the primary battery dies. This is the reason why this kind of isolator is frequently employed when you need multiple batteries.  

A multiple battery isolator, or specifically a dual battery isolator, can help your vehicle go further when you use it as a solenoid priority system in a battery. This is how it extends the life of your vehicle’s battery. As a result, a dual battery isolator backs up the battery with a charge so that it can stay out longer.

Why Should You Use a Dual Battery Isolator?

If you have gone through how a dual battery isolator works, then you can guess why you should need one. Most of the time, people need dual battery isolators to power airplanes, boats, trucks, recreational vehicles, and utility vehicles.

But why not single battery isolators, right?

Well, these types of vehicles need dual battery isolators because one battery starts and runs the engine, whereas the other one loads accessories like radars, winches, and other instruments. The isolator powers the starting battery. At the same time, it prevents the secondary battery from failing or draining due to excessive load.

Day by day, electric vehicles are also now leaning towards using isolators. Off-road vehicles require a dual battery isolator to handle high current loads, like a recovery winch. Additionally, you will need to use a dual battery isolator to power large, powerful stereos in vehicles.

Pro Tip –  When you are ready to use the battery isolator, make sure you know how to test a battery isolator. In case, you don’t know the way to test your car battery isolator, you can check our other guides.

Benefits of Using a Dual Battery Isolator

A dual battery isolator benefits you by connecting two batteries together. So, the relatively weak battery can get charged from the strong one. It is like a backup for the whole system and for the primary battery.

Drawbacks of Using a Dual Battery Isolator 

Well, there are a few disadvantages to using a dual battery isolator. We have listed down a few –

• It is always costly to use a dual battery isolator.
• The setup process of a dual battery isolator is not simple.
• While using the common diode-type isolators, an extra drop in voltage will be applied to the circuit. It will occur in the middle of the batteries and the charging source. 

The Dual Battery Isolator Setup: Things to Take into Account

There are a few things to look at when you are going to set up a traditional dual battery isolator. This type of setup is relatively less expensive than other types of setups. On top of that, it is very flexible. 

Let’s take a look at the considerations of a dual battery isolator setup –

Size

The size entirely depends on the type of vehicle. For instance, some pickup trucks come with a default location in the engine bay for installing the secondary battery. But that is not always the case. 

It can be difficult to install a large 105 AMP lead acid battery when there is no dedicated space in the engine bay. As a result, check battery dimensions after determining the AMP.

Capacity

Most of the time, it is better to keep the charge of a lead acid AGM battery below 50%. That is when it offers the best performance. Although it is not exactly recommended, it can enhance the lifespan of the battery and help it avoid damage.

Considering that a 75 AMP battery will perform for 37.5 AMP hours at 450 watts while it is charged below 50%.

Aside from that, not all vehicles contain the same battery. Then again, various batteries have various requirements in terms of amperage and voltage. Usually, the better isolators on the market drain 100 AMP to 150 AMP at regular wattage.

Voltages

In addition to the AMP, voltage is another important factor to look at. Due to voltage inconstancy, some electronics can be damaged at the time when the engine starts cranking. Therefore, determine the right amount of voltage that matches the battery’s AMP. 

An easy solution to this problem would be to use a kit such as the Blue Sea System. It can efficiently charge both batteries simultaneously. In addition to that, it is far superior to a single battery isolator.   

Mass

The weight of the battery is another crucial consideration. Bulky batteries like AGM, Lead-acid, or gel batteries often weigh a lot. For example, the weight of a 105 AMP AGM battery is around 70 lbs. Additional weight can make your vehicle heavy and require more power to run. 

You can go for the pricier options, like the new lithium battery. In comparison with typical batteries, it offers more power yet weighs less than half. 

Detection

You sure don’t want to mess up the electrical system of your vehicle with the wrong battery isolator. More importantly, choosing the incorrect detector might cause more problems than you expected. That is why you need to ensure which type of battery isolator is perfect for your vehicle. Luckily, picking a reliable battery isolator is not that difficult.

Complexity

A dual battery isolator system is not easy to set up. It requires a significant amount of space in your car to organize all the wires and other components. Considering the complexity of the installation process, some people think of integrating a solar generator instead of an isolator. 

Cost

Last but not least, you need to think about the total cost of setting up a dual battery isolator. Buying all the components may require a substantial amount of money. But it is not that much. 

Here is a summary of the total cost to set up a dual battery isolator in a Toyota Sunrader. Take a look to get an idea for your vehicle –

• $80 for an isolator.
• $130 x 2 = $360 for dual 150 AMP lead-acid batteries.
• $300 for a 1000 watt inverter.
• $120 for 25 feet of DC wiring (2 to 4 gauge).

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• $860 in total.

For extra power security, you can purchase a 100 watt panel and a solar charger for around $250. But that is up to you.

After setting up a dual battery isolator in your vehicle, it is time to judge whether it is performing as you expected or not. The best dual battery isolator should show the following symptoms. 

Build Quality

Often, you should look for components like studs in an isolator, which contact electricity. These studs should be made of copper and plated with tin. Also, this makes the components corrosion-resistant and optimizes their conductivities. 

A weatherproof chassis with a renowned certification like IP67 can increase the rigidity of the components to the next level. Such isolators can withstand temporary submersion up to a few feet. 

Other Considerations

Basically, the above are the crucial things that you need to keep in mind when choosing a dual battery isolator. However, there are some other considerations that may help you a bit further in making the right decision. 

• For instance, it is better to send a couple of bucks for a 120 AMP DC unit than a 65 AMP. Having room to grow is always a plus.
• A dual circuit battery from the E-series can withstand a lot of abuse. But after a decade of consistent use, it is better to replace it.

Pro Tip –  When you are ready to use the battery isolator, make sure you know how to test a battery isolator. In case, you don’t know the way to test your car battery isolator, you can check our other guides.

Types of Battery Isolators

Judging by the schematics, we can divide a dual battery isolator into three types. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the dual isolator battery types – 

A Battle Among Three Types of Dual Battery Isolators

Below, we have drawn a comparison chart to show the differences among the three types of dual battery isolators – 

Diode Battery Isolator	Battery Switch Isolator	Battery Solenoid Isolator
It doesn’t require a separate ignition to start.	It requires a separate ignition from the wiring to start.	It depends on the solenoid and how it is switched.
Installation is a challenge.	Installation is complex, but not like a Diode Battery Isolator.	It’s relatively easier than the other two.
It requires changing the wires manually.	It requires changing the batteries manually.	It doesn’t require much change.
It runs on one condition.	It also runs on one condition.	It runs on the three conditions of the solenoid switching.

Can a battery isolator drain a battery?

No, it’s the opposite. A battery isolator can prevent batteries from draining each other, but it cannot drain a battery on its own. If you are worried about your battery voltage dropping while you’re driving, the reason is not your isolator. A battery isolator works as an electrical bridge between multiple batteries. In doing so, it ensures that all batteries receive the same amount of energy while preventing any one battery from being drained by another attached to the isolator.

How Does a Dual Battery Isolator Work? — Final Words

We are now at the end of this article. So, we are going to ask – have you understood the procedure of a dual battery isolator? We expect the answer is yes. It has been a broad discussion of everything about a dual battery isolator.

Regardless of the type of your vehicle, it is always better to install a dual battery isolator rather than a single one. On the other hand, a multi-battery isolator is larger than what any vehicle may actually need. Leave a comment if you have any questions regarding a dual battery isolator.