Battery isolator location? April 23, 2020, 01:15:04 pm After finding our chassis battery dead after the rig sitting for quite some time (covid has stopped our regular trips), I went and ordered a TRIK-L-START. My hope was to tap the house battery from the isolator in the engine bay. I did a real quick look while I was charging the chassis battery, but nothing jumped out at me. I've got an '01 MB. Does anyone know where it might be? Pictures would be great I'd rather not have to snake wires down to the battery compartment if I don't have to.Thanks in advance.
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #1 – April 23, 2020, 01:20:37 pm Quote from: henness - April 23, 2020, 01:15:04 pmAfter finding our chassis battery dead after the rig sitting for quite some time (covid has stopped our regular trips), I went and ordered a TRIK-L-START. My hope was to tap the house battery from the isolator in the engine bay. I did a real quick look while I was charging the chassis battery, but nothing jumped out at me. I've got an '01 MB. Does anyone know where it might be? Pictures would be great I'd rather not have to snake wires down to the battery compartment if I don't have to.Thanks in advance.Check on firewall - drivers side.
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #2 – April 23, 2020, 01:21:36 pm Probably ahead of the driver on the firewall in the engine compartment.
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #3 – April 23, 2020, 01:43:31 pm As others have said, driver's side firewall, ours has blue fins.Steve
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #4 – April 23, 2020, 02:43:27 pm Quote from: Steve - April 23, 2020, 01:43:31 pmAs others have said, driver's side firewall, ours has blue fins.A TRIK-L-START will work great, the issue is where to put it.. There isn't an unused space near the isolator, with the large fuse box needing room to open and access. The TRIK-L-START doesn't weight much and can be screwed to the top of the fuse box, using nuts, or wingnuts for quick removal, and leaving the wires long enough to pull it off to the side when the fuse box needs to be open. Leaving the wires long, the fuse box top can be removed and set aside without removing the TRIK-L-START.This is a feature all LDs should have, keeping the starting battery well charged will help increase its lifespan, especially in rigs that are parked for extended periods. Later model LDs, Factory equipped with Sky Blue 3000i solar controllers have a starting battery charger, powered by the solar panels or converter, if plugged in.Larry
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #5 – April 23, 2020, 03:09:50 pm So when I was poking around yesterday I did find the box on the firewall w/ the blue fins. I was thinking that was it last night, but wasn't sure. Thanks for the verification. Once I get the unit I'll about space to mount it.
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #6 – April 23, 2020, 06:48:32 pm Those are definitely tucked away, ours on the 94 is mounted behind the passenger side headlight. Ford doesn't leave much room for anything do they?Jon
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #7 – April 23, 2020, 09:09:52 pm Quote from: henness - April 23, 2020, 03:09:50 pmSo when I was poking around yesterday I did find the box on the firewall w/ the blue fins. I was thinking that was it last night, but wasn't sure. Thanks for the verification. Once I get the unit I'll about space to mount it.While you are installing the TRIK-L-START, unbolt the coolant reservoir, leaving the hoses connected, and fold it forward to check the wiring harness behind the reservoir for chaffing, even bare wires. The reservoir rubbing into the harness was a common problem in the early 2000s models.The wiring harness can be physically bent and pushed rearward, to provide clearance away from the reservoir, curing the issue. Larry
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #8 – April 26, 2020, 01:56:41 am Later model LDs, Factory equipped with Sky Blue 3000i solar controllers have a starting battery charger, powered by the solar panels or converter, if plugged in.I put a 3000i solar controller in my 2003 RB when the previous controller failed 5-6 years ago. Last fall I ran a wire from the controller (aux out or whatever its called) out through the the house battery box which can be connected to the engine battery. No ground wire needed, negatives all connected to chassis. The wire can be stored in the battery box when not connected to the engine battery.
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #9 – May 09, 2020, 06:21:49 pm Ok, so I went to connect up the trik-l-start to the house battery today. I assumed one connector on the isolated was the chassis battery and the other was the house battery. I confirmed I have chassis battery on the lower terminal, but it doesn't seem that the top terminal is the house battery. I have chassis battery voltage on the lower terminal, but I don't get a reasonable reading on the top terminal. What am I messing up here?Where can I find house battery in the engine compartment?
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #10 – May 09, 2020, 07:26:56 pm There should be THREE terminals on the isolator. One goes to the alternator - you should see nothing there unless the engine is running. Perhaps the third terminal to the house batteries is harder to see.Steve
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #11 – May 09, 2020, 09:02:25 pm So I thought the isolator was the blue gizmo with fins on it. See the attached picture. The bottom terminal is wired to one side of what I assume is a fusible link. It's on the left of the fuse block. Labeled Bat and Alt. I'll try to poke around more tomorrow to see if I can see a third terminal, but I'm pretty sure there is only two.Maybe this isn't really the isolator?
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #12 – May 09, 2020, 09:06:58 pm Quote from: Larry W - April 23, 2020, 09:09:52 pmWhile you are installing the TRIK-L-START, unbolt the coolant reservoir, leaving the hoses connected, and fold it forward to check the wiring harness behind the reservoir for chaffing, even bare wires. The reservoir rubbing into the harness was a common problem in the early 2000s models.The wiring harness can be physically bent and pushed rearward, to provide clearance away from the reservoir, curing the issue. LarryRight as usual Larry. I can some wear on two wires. I tried to push it back some, but it didn't move much. I taped in some cardboard in the mean time to provide a bit of relief.
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #13 – May 10, 2020, 04:22:00 am Hi Sean. I'm sure that that bluefin is the isolator. The wire going to the Bat Alt inside the fuse block is coming from the alternator, a third wire. Is there another post under that wire bundle for the wire from/to the house batteries? I have a picture of my installation, but it isn't very clear about location. I'll have to look under the hood tomorrow. My E350 chassis is arranged differently enough, so my situation won't apply to what you have. My isolator has black fins. RonB
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #14 – May 10, 2020, 10:20:24 am Quote from: henness - May 09, 2020, 09:02:25 pmSo I thought the isolator was the blue gizmo with fins on it. See the attached picture. The bottom terminal is wired to one side of what I assume is a fusible link. It's on the left of the fuse block. Labeled Bat and Alt. I'll try to poke around more tomorrow to see if I can see a third terminal, but I'm pretty sure there is only two.Maybe this isn't really the isolator?I can even SEE the cable in the background going to your top terminal hidden behind the wire harness in your picture!Steve
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #15 – May 10, 2020, 01:11:30 pm Quote from: Jay Carlson - April 26, 2020, 01:56:41 amI put a 3000i solar controller in my 2003 RB when the previous controller failed 5-6 years ago. Last fall I ran a wire from the controller (aux out or whatever its called) out through the house battery box which can be connected to the engine battery. No ground wire needed, negatives all connected to chassis. The wire can be stored in the battery box when not connected to the engine battery.When switching to the Blue Sky 3000i solar controller, I ran a wire to the starting battery that is connected all the time, it keeps the starting battery fully charged all the time and requires no attention or action. This is how Blue Sky intended it to be wired,It can also be wired to the isolator, either way is fine.Larry
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #16 – May 10, 2020, 01:27:10 pm This is what the isolator looks like out in the open. Diode Battery Isolator (48162, 200A) - Seaboard Marine RonB
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #17 – May 10, 2020, 03:49:54 pm Thanks all. I found there was indeed a third terminal way up high that had house battery voltage on it. Installation is now complete.
Re: Battery isolator location? Reply #18 – January 04, 2021, 02:03:49 am Amp-L-Start InstallI’ve recently installed an Amp-L-Start, a newer version of the Trik-L-Start, on my 2003 T/K and have attached some photos of where and how I mounted it. Maybe some else can benefit from this information. I took suggestions from previous posts.John F2003 T/K 1 Likes
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