12 Volt Connections July 20, 2022, 05:37:51 pm I continue to learn about this great little rig. Today I found the "DC Power Contactor." Didn't even know there was such a thing! Anyhow, got it all cleaned up and headed for the start battery. The positive terminal has a type of clamp I'd never come across. It's a kinda' cam that tightens the clamp onto the post. My Lazy Daze tutorial continues!!!jor
Re: 12 Volt Connections Reply #1 – July 20, 2022, 05:52:37 pm That looks like the alternator/battery isolator which isolates the power so that the alternator can charge the car battery and the house battery, but the house battery can't pull power from the car battery and leave you without power to start the car.I replaced mine with a battery combiner from Victron (Cyrix ct) which does the same as mentioned above, but will allow the car battery to pull power from the house battery if the house has higher voltage from charging via solar or converter.Cyrix Battery Combiners - Victron Energy
Re: 12 Volt Connections Reply #2 – July 20, 2022, 06:00:39 pm QuoteThat looks like the alternator/battery isolator Thanks for the explanation. My LD manual calls it a DC Power Contactor. So why did you change yours out? Did the original fail? Thanks.jor
Re: 12 Volt Connections Reply #3 – July 21, 2022, 10:44:52 am Interesting, just looked into that, and I guess it is a bit different, and probably due to the power you have.I mainly switched mine to ensure I wasn't stranded without power on the car battery somewhere. I have a portable jumper, but it takes up room which with this device I won't need any more. I can even add a button in order to connect the engine to the house batteries to start it. Also hoping it gives the car battery a longer life.
Re: 12 Volt Connections Reply #4 – July 21, 2022, 12:20:56 pm Quote from: majortom - July 21, 2022, 10:44:52 amInteresting, just looked into that, and I guess it is a bit different, and probably due to the power you have.I mainly switched mine to ensure I wasn't stranded without power on the car battery somewhere. I have a portable jumper, but it takes up room which with this device I won't need any more. I can even add a button in order to connect the engine to the house batteries to start it. Also hoping it gives the car battery a longer life.Did you install yourself?
Re: 12 Volt Connections Reply #5 – July 21, 2022, 03:32:38 pm Quote from: brewersarcade - July 21, 2022, 12:20:56 pmDid you install yourself?yes, it was super easy, I actually got the whole kit (Cyrix-ct Battery Combiner Kit - Victron Energy) but that was unnecessary since I really didn't need to change/add any wires. I just removed the cables from the isolator, and replaced with the cyrix. Super quick change. Then donated my isolator to another RVer that didn't have charging from their alternator.
Re: 12 Volt Connections Reply #6 – July 22, 2022, 03:39:25 am Hi JOR; I'd just leave that relay where it is. They call it a power contactor because it has a high amperage capability, but just a simple relay. You can put in a push button switch to parallel the batteries to start the engine, but more likely the chassis battery will be good to start with any way, and the house batteries would be the lower. For your 2009: If you have a factory supplied SB3000i solar controller, LD used its secondary output to charge the chassis battery, when solar has extra capacity available. The Cyrix really is designed for compatibility with Lithium house batteries to charge a lead acid chassis battery. If you don't have solar backup for the chassis battery through the R3000i, then a Trik-L-Start is less expensive and more straightforward as a solution. ( just my opinion of course ) Mega TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer (This link should work better. Thanks ) RonB 1 Likes
Re: 12 Volt Connections Reply #7 – July 22, 2022, 11:33:01 am That's awesome! Didn't knew the mothership already gave solar power to the chasis battery, that's awesome!!!Yeah if you already have that system, then a quick relay / push button to link the batteries will give you all the benefits the cyrix has.
Re: 12 Volt Connections Reply #8 – July 22, 2022, 03:00:37 pm QuoteFor your 2009: If you have a factory supplied SB3000i solar controller,Thanks. Good food for thought. I haven't gotten into the solar yet so I'll have to figure out if I've got one of those. Never understood why most RV makers don't set the system up to keep the start batteries charged. Kudos to the LD boys!jor 1 Likes
Re: 12 Volt Connections Reply #9 – July 23, 2022, 03:29:58 am Hi Jor; The splash sheet for the Trik-L-Start lists part numbers for Winnebago, Itasca, Coach House and Monaco, so I'm guessing that they either install them or offer them as an option. RonB
Topic: 12 Volt Connections (Read 301 times)
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Topic: 12 Volt Connections (Read 301 times)
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