Battery Isolation Manager.

[Grumpy Grampa]

Hi. Anybody know where to buy one of these, at a reasonable price?

Thanks

[DavidEM]

Oddly enough, only the Li 225 model comes up when you do a search, probably because 99% of the replacement market is upgrades for lithium batteries. Almost all BIM 160 sales are to OEMs. So call Precision Circuits, the manufacturer and ask.

David

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by smithgarnat@aol.com

Hi. Anybody know where to buy one of these, at a reasonable price?

Thanks

https://pdxrvwholesale.com/products/...r-00-10041-200

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Beau388

https://pdxrvwholesale.com/products/...r-00-10041-200

Out of Stock

[Judge]

The problem is the chip shortage is impacting the BIM160 as well. I would contact Precision Circuits directly and ask them for lead-times and whether they know of any of their suppliers who may have stock.

If you are sure you really need a replacement unit, you might want to look at a DC-to-DC charger. Something like this one.... but you would lose the ability for the converter to charge the chassis battery.

https://www.renogy.com/12v-dc-to-dc-...ttery-charger/

[16ACE27]

Or use a Marine ACR:

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syst...dp/B000OTIPDQ/

[DavidEM]

I have always wondered why marine type ACRs or combiners aren't used in RVs. They work fine in boats and are generally a lot cheaper than Precision Circuits BIMs. The Blue Seas ACR referenced above is one, a line of combiners by http://yandina.com/ is another.

These connect the two battery systems whenever one is at least at 13 or so volts, ie charging. The PC BIM waits until one battery is charging but also the other one is at roughly 12.5 vots, ie 80% SOC. This limits charging up the last 20% while driving. ACRs and combiners will easily charge the last 20% while driving.

One limitation, particularly for the Yandina combiners is the maximum current that can be transferred. Yandina specifies a minimum length of 6 gauge wire to connect them no doubt to cause a voltage drop at high currents to limit the current. This will limit current during aux start usage but that may not be critical. Holding down the aux start switch for a few minutes will probably transfer enough current to let the chassis engine start.

I installed a 200 amp Yandina combiner on my friend's 2005 Winnebago MH and it works well to combine the batteries while either is charging. I didn't hook up the aux start circuit to avoid the problem with high starting current when combined.

David

[Grumpy Grampa]

Thanks for all the information.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by smithgarnat@aol.com

Hi. Anybody know where to buy one of these, at a reasonable price?

Thanks

Just wondering on Beau388 post it is out of stock but the 225 amp one is in stock, can't that one be used? Amazon has a Battery Guard AutoSelect 160 that would probably work for 172.10 made by the same people

[DavidEM]

The lithium battery version which is the one that is available has a 50% on/off cycling feature to limit the load on the chassis alternator. Li batteries can accept lots of current and may damage the chassis alternator.

The BIM 160 doesn't do this and would be better for lead acid batteries.

David

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Bill Johnson

Just wondering on Beau388 post it is out of stock but the 225 amp one is in stock, can't that one be used? Amazon has a Battery Guard AutoSelect 160 that would probably work for 172.10 made by the same people

The regular BIM225 can be used in place of the BIM160…. Just not the LI-BIM 225.

I have a BIM160 but don’t want to sell it in case I sell the coach and want to pull out my Lithium upgrade.

[Dennis1951]

My BIM160 is on back order from GeneralRV to be replaced under warranty. Can I still camp using just shore power safely ????

[DavidEM]

With shore power keeping your coach batteries charged I don't see any problem with camping if the BIM is faulty. Underway you may or may not get coach battery charging from the chassis alternator. Just don't run any heavy DC loads if you have a long ways to drive or run the generator for a while if the coach batteries are getting run down while driving.

David

[Dennis1951]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

With shore power keeping your coach batteries charged I don't see any problem with camping if the BIM is faulty. Underway you may or may not get coach battery charging from the chassis alternator. Just don't run any heavy DC loads if you have a long ways to drive or run the generator for a while if the coach batteries are getting run down while driving.

David

Thanks for the quick reply

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by smithgarnat@aol.com

Hi. Anybody know where to buy one of these, at a reasonable price?

Thanks

Do an online search .saw for $97. Also thor may ship as a free goodwill

[Scubawise]

$97


https://www.dkellyandaj.com/precisio...00-p-54328.htm

[halfprice]

Precision circuits have a 5 year warranty on the bim. Call them. They will have you do a few tests and if bad will send a new one

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Scubawise

$97


https://www.dkellyandaj.com/precisio...00-p-54328.htm

Weren't you in the IT world?

That website throws up way too many red flags for me to trust them with my credit card info.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Weren't you in the IT world?

That website throws up way too many red flags for me to trust them with my credit card info.

Yes 35 years. My tech ordered from them before.

Thor did goodwill for me