What to Look for While Purchasing a Battery Isolator

The main reason for purchasing a battery isolator is to guarantee consistent power to all parts of your vehicle without having to worry about draining your car's battery. Many people install a second battery in their vehicle for this purpose, and in turn they need the proper battery isolator as well. Have you ever listened to the stereo without the car running, only to find out later when you try to turn the car on that the battery is dead? You need a battery isolator.

The two main types of battery isolator

When you go shopping for a battery isolator, it is imperative that you know the two types available and their likenesses and differences. First, there is the diode isolator, which is long-lasting, highly durable and decently powerful. It does, however, cause a slight voltage loss when not connected directly to the alternator. Second, there is the solenoid isolator which does not cause a voltage loss and is extremely powerful. However, it is not quite as reliable as the diode isolator.

If you choose the solenoid isolator

If you decide to buy the solenoid isolator, there are also two types of them as well. First, you have the Ford type solenoid. This solenoid is found in Ford models and focuses on the connection between the battery and the starter. The continuous duty solenoid focus on the main power switching in car audio systems, and if you attempt to use a Ford type solenoid for continuous duty, then you are going to have a fried solenoid.

As you can tell, there are many things to consider when buying a battery isolator. Do you go with performance or reliability? It depends on what your needs are and personal preferences. Use these tips to help you decide what type of battery isolator best fits your vehicle.