CA Traveler wrote:
Now I'm even more confused. If it's intended as a isolator as in charging 2 battery banks then every MH I've owned has one. Trailers on the other hand don't normally have 2 battery banks and hence don't need a isolator.
By isolator do they mean it disconnects the tow alternator from the trailer? That function is very common in the US. As a DIY project a $5 relay will do the job. And I'd guess that most factory tow packages supply 12V only when the engine is running.
The primary feature that this thing is bought for is the ability to step up the DC voltage at the trailer battery, even with a long, thin wire from alternator to trailer battery. This allows improved charging of trailer battery from the alternator.
It also has an isolator relay to isolate the trailer battery from the TV battery when engine is not running.
It also has the MPPT solar controller.
So it seems to be useful for charging trailer batteries from the alternator and as a solar charger - it just automatically selects the best power source for charging. It looks like it can also charge the tow battery from the solar panel also if trailer battery is fully charged.
The Australians really seem to like dc/dc battery chargers like this.
Ed
