Battery isolation manager

[The_Breeze]

Originally Posted by edkjr

So on our 16 chateau 35sk, I ended up taking out the isolation relay delay out completely and installed the DC-DC controller set it up for lithium. I have it controlled by on/off switch (used an aux. switches on the F550). I just monitor the voltage on the coach batteries, turn on when nessasary. Although so far this year while traveling haven't needed to turn it on. The solar panels keep the batteries up. Even with residential fridge.

Can we go into this more please? I also have the isolation relay and wored it to a Li-BIM only it comes out of the relay and throws 2.5A when the dash switch is pressed. You say you discarded it. Why did you take that approach instead of letting the Li-BIM logic do that? Not that's it's wrong. Curious (re: https://www.thorforums.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=91)

[Bill in Redlands]

Originally Posted by The_Breeze

Can we go into this more please? I also have the isolation relay and wored it to a Li-BIM only it comes out of the relay and throws 2.5A when the dash switch is pressed. You say you discarded it. Why did you take that approach instead of letting the Li-BIM logic do that? Not that's it's wrong. Curious (re: https://www.thorforums.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=91)

I am wondering if we are getting some confusion about the LBIM? It replaces whatever isolation device you have with connections to each battery system, ground, and trigger wire (ign) hot when the ignition is on, and a trigger wire (sig) hot when you depress the emergency battery connection. Isn't that all there is to it?

An alternative is to replace the isolation device and install a DC to DC charger between the systems. All you loose is the emergency battery connection. In this case, you would simply jump the chassis battery like you would any other vehicle. Am I missing something?

As pointed out a couple of different ways to deal with the issue. The third is to remove all connection and depend on the alternator to charge the chassis battery and use shore or solar power to charge the house batteries.

[DavidEM]

The Precision Circuits Lithium BIM does more than just isolate the two battery systems. It cycles the alternator output to limit power draw which could possibly burn it out. But it only turns it off after 30 minutes of alternator charging. If you are connected to a bid Li bank you could certainly burn out an alternator in 30 minutes. There is a video that dramatically illustrates this.

The Victron BIM limits absolute current from the chassis alternator to 30A and I believe it has a switch that will allow the coach batteries to boost the starting battery. Just hook that switch input to your existing battery boost switch and it should do that.

David