Battery Isolators - Types & How to Install | Car Audio 101

Learn more about battery isolators and why you need one if your car audio system has 2 or more batteries. In this video we talk about the two types of battery isolators: Solenoid and Diode. We also discuss how to install these isolators properly in your car.

Buy Your Battery Isolator Today!

Sonic Electronix

[kerryemmerson]

Dude, the joke at the end. That was a great opportunity to really show your true form.
Good on ya mate.

[SonicElectronix]

The fuse will blow if the battery is asking for more power. 140A is the current transfer abilities of the isolator. You should fuse each battery to be safe from short circuits.

[joeomundson]

Thanks for presenting the info in such a clear and concise way! uncommon!

[SonicElectronix]

You are very welcome! 0 gauge can use 200 - 300A fuse to protect the wire, so if you have high quality wire use 300A but if you have cheap wire go with 250 or below.

[psychkosys]

Good video just one question..when wiring in a diode isolator it says run a cable from the alternator to the center post. Do I disconnect the original alternator line since the isolator charges both batteries now, or do I leave the original alternator connection in place and just add an extra cable?

[DanielOrtegoUSA]

Good demo and products well explain. It's refreshing to see a company focusing on quality rather than advertising just how cheap their products can be. I refuse to purchase from anyone that uses the word 'cheap' in any of their marketing paraphernalia. I feel that any company that pushes the word 'cheap' is telling me that their stuff doesn't really work all that well, but we promise to only take some of your money so that you can spend later.

[NeilKudro]

The question: I just added a new 2ndary battery in my 01 Silverado 8100. This is how I connected them, I connected the positive wire from the 2nd battery running it through a fuze into a solenoid to the positive end of the primary battery. the negative wire from the 2nd battery into the frame. Is this correct?

[SonicElectronix]

You could take the power wire going to your second battery and add a switch to it. If you turn the switch off, it will stop the flow to your second battery. The switch you use is up to you but it needs to be beefy to handle the amperage. As for connecting the batteries together to start the car, you can wire the terminals together and add a switch as well to keep them disconnected until you need to start the car in an emergency. As long as you have beefy switches you should have no problems.

[joeh]

Instead of the ignition wire can I use a 12-volt 15 amp switch to activate the solenoid. I would like it to when I flip the switch to turn on a amperage / wattage meter and activate the solenoid so it's drawing off that battery for an inverter. But still be able to charge both batteries if that switch is off.

Another way to put it is how can I have it wired it to a switch to turn an Inverter / amp meter on and off. I do not want it drawing on the accessories on the aux battery if my engine is off unless I want it to, that's why I want it wired to a switch.

[SonicElectronix]

You could get the XS Power D4800 to replace your stock battery and forgo a second battery. You can have two of the same battery or different batteries, just make sure you use a battery isolator so the batteries don't drain each other. A battery is meant to let you play your system when the vehicle is turned off, what you really want to do is upgrade your alternator.

[SonicElectronix]

Yes, that SGP32 will work fine to separate your two batteries. Both batters will be connected when the engine is on, so both will charge. Once the engine is off, only your Kinetik battery will power your system.

[robertfinnegan]

You had me at the Offspring! Also, thanks for the simple explanation.

[SonicElectronix]

You need to upgrade your alternator. You have to make power to get power and that is the alternators job. You could add a second battery but that isn't going to fix your problem.

[SonicElectronix]

The NVX BIR200 is a great battery isolator for a stellar price.

[SonicElectronix]

You can keep your stock battery and add a battery to the back using a 200A isolator so you have room for power fluctuations.

[journeytoliving]

In the case of main battery is dead. Can you hook a set of jumper cables to the second battery to jump start your vehicle; or will the isolator prevent this?

[billjensen]

I'm using a standard 12 volt utv battery and a deep cycle battery for the accessories. I just need to make sure main UTV battery doesn't loose voltage as it runs the engine and transmission on my utv. And the transmission doesn't have a long life if it's run low on voltage

[SonicElectronix]

Either one will work just fine for you. Diode isolators are less common but if you listen to your sound system a lot with the vehicle off, go with a Diode isolator.

[goosedilla]

Great video! My personal favorite parking lot pimping lol

[SonicElectronix]

The fuse is meant to protect the wire from overheating and being damaged. It is not meant to protect the equipment unless the equipment does not have a fuse at all. If you are running 4 gauge wire you need 125A fuse, if you have 0 gauge go with 200A fuse or more.