Isolator Switches

[Welly Boot]

Talk to me about Isolator switches on a battery in a 3.5t lorry .... I've had them before and it's worked a treat in terms of no battery drain and peace of mind that it will start when needed.... current local garage seems reluctant to fit one & recommended solar panel instead (which have very mixed reviews....)

 

[meleeka]

OH is auto electrician and fits them a lot. I'm sure the ones he uses are better quality, but they look like this. They also make a good anti theft device.

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amzn.eu

Of course they won't stop the battery going flat over time due to age, cold etc, you'd be better with a solar or trickle charger for that.

 

[Welly Boot]

OH is auto electrician and fits them a lot. I'm sure the ones he uses are better quality, but they look like this. They also make a good anti theft device.

Loading…

amzn.eu

Of course they won't stop the battery going flat over time due to age, you'd be better with a solar or trickle charger for that.

Thanks - it's had a new battery. I just want peace of mind it's not draining away if not driven for 2 weeks as i'm away etc yes - always a red button thing

I just don't get why they are reluctant to fit? It's a standard box conversion, no appliances in there complicating things. I'll find another garage ....

 

[meleeka]

Thanks - it's had a new battery. I just want peace of mind it's not draining away if not driven for 2 weeks as i'm away etc yes - always a red button thing

I just don't get why they are reluctant to fit? It's a standard box conversion, no appliances in there complicating things. I'll find another garage ....

Perhaps because it's a quick job and not worth their while? . Any auto electrician should be able to help. We have them on our vans which aren't used daily, so I don't understand why they didn't think it's a good idea either.

 

[Suncat]

What age is your van? Isolators are a fab solution on the older vans - I had one on my 2003 Master van and its was a godsend. BUT newer vans have a surprising amount of electronics in them that do not do well being powered down much - that's likely the reason. I couldn't/haven't had one fitted on my current 2015 Relay for that reason. And much newer vehicles.... coded batteries, start/stop, etc - absolutely don't!
I've got a decent solar panel solution (panel and charge management) I actually fitted myself, which is doing a great job - and when I occasionally camp in it I've got usb device charging too. I can just put the panel up on the roof when its parked up, but I actually just leave it on the dashboard mostly.

I think my kit is this one: https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...r-and-battery-cable-with-crocodile-clips.html (I've slept since!). I just swapped the crocodile clips for rings and connected it to the battery and mounted the charge controller in the cab too. Straightforward job for someone with knowledge of 12v systems.

 

[Cowpony]

The insurers wouldn't cover mine unless it had two stages of anti-theft devices. Electronic key and isolator seemed to satisfy them.

 

[Jambarissa]

Same as Cowpony, my insurers require an isolator.

 

[Suncat]

...or possibly an Alarm and an Immobiliser?

 

[lizziebell]

If you want something simple, I had one of these about 10 years ago for an old lorry that had a temperamental battery discharge and it did a great job. Hubby has recently dug it out of the garage to use on the defender to keep that battery trickle charged until he can be bothered to get a new battery. Just plug it in the cigarette lighter and pop it in the dashboard.

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintenance/battery-accessories/pv-logic-8w-fold-up-solar-battery-maintainer-499190.html

 

[Welly Boot]

What age is your van? Isolators are a fab solution on the older vans - I had one on my 2003 Master van and its was a godsend. BUT newer vans have a surprising amount of electronics in them that do not do well being powered down much - that's likely the reason. I couldn't/haven't had one fitted on my current 2015 Relay for that reason. And much newer vehicles.... coded batteries, start/stop, etc - absolutely don't!
I've got a decent solar panel solution (panel and charge management) I actually fitted myself, which is doing a great job - and when I occasionally camp in it I've got usb device charging too. I can just put the panel up on the roof when its parked up, but I actually just leave it on the dashboard mostly.

I think my kit is this one: https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...r-and-battery-cable-with-crocodile-clips.html (I've slept since!). I just swapped the crocodile clips for rings and connected it to the battery and mounted the charge controller in the cab too. Straightforward job for someone with knowledge of 12v systems.

2006 so should be fine. Yes I have the panel too and need to swop the clips for rings.