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Battery isolators are those alternator and trouble saving devices that separate your primary battery system from your auxiliary battery. Most people run their amplifiers and added accessories from a secondary amp to lighten the load on other factory installed devices. Here is a look at how they work and why they are important.

The diode based isolators are basically two high current diodes. These diode isolators are known for their durability and long life, and seldom fail. They do however sacrifice a little power due to the 0.5 volt drop of the incoming charge. This voltage drop will keep the battery from reaching maximum charge, but will allow it to maintain a high enough charge during peak use to keep your headlights and other devices from dimming, and power your amplifiers and added accessories.

There is another type of battery isolator called the solenoid based battery isolator. These type of isolators use high current relays to control the flow of the current. The solenoid relays allow for maximum power with virtually no voltage drop across the system, but tend to be less reliable than the diode based isolators. They can heat up after prolonged use and melt the coils in the solenoids.

Whenever you add a second battery, be sure to get a sealed battery if you intend to place it inside the vehicle or in the trunk, and be sure to properly ground and fuse the battery. Failure to do so can create a lot of added heat and increase the risk of electrical fire or melted wires. Always err on the side of caution. It is also important to mount the battery so the terminals won't come in contact with anything, and so the battery will stay in place and it will not get damaged.

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