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Old 08-02-2010, 04:53 PM
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hanleyclifford hanleyclifford is offline
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I would agree that 14.2 volts would probably be ok but Shawn indicated that he was setting at 14.9, losing .7 at the isolator (relying on it in effect to impose a fixed "regulation" on the system). I would not feel comfortable doing this and that is why I do not use isolators. The real question is - what voltage is actually being delivered to the batterys? Shawn indicated that his alternator was putting out 13.8 volts. I submit that would be fine if in fact it were being delivered to the batterys. In all probability he is losing voltage in the line as well as the isolator. Neil and I went around on this question of truck alternators putting out 14 volts with no apparent problem; but again, what is being delivered to the battery? Because I use maximum wiring in my system, I can deliver fairly close to alternator voltage to the batterys. When I set around 14 volts I have experienced fluid loss, and for this reason I have retreated into the mid 13 range.
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