The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - Battery Isolator and Switch (another post about them!)

tucsonjwt · 02-25-2017, 05:51 PM

My 83 camper special did not have dual batteries. I installed a second battery tray and battery and have it hooked in parallel directly to my primary battery. I have two start batteries because I have a BB 454 and it has heat soak, so I wanted extra amps for starting when the engine was hot.

I have not had a good experience with battery isolators. Mine only lasted about a year until they failed. I have read online about better quality isolators that last longer, but they are about $150+ as I recall.

I had dual batteries and an isolator on my 73 454. I would jump the secondary battery to the primary battery when that truck had a heat soak - no start condition. After that isolator failed and was replaced twice, the mechanic working on it installed a push button on the dash that would engage the secondary battery and start the truck in a heat soak - no start condition. Otherwise, both batteries were charged off the alternator equally. That was probably the best set up for me.

02-25-2017, 05:51 PM	#2
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,188	Re: Battery Isolator and Switch (another post about them!) My 83 camper special did not have dual batteries. I installed a second battery tray and battery and have it hooked in parallel directly to my primary battery. I have two start batteries because I have a BB 454 and it has heat soak, so I wanted extra amps for starting when the engine was hot. I have not had a good experience with battery isolators. Mine only lasted about a year until they failed. I have read online about better quality isolators that last longer, but they are about $150+ as I recall. I had dual batteries and an isolator on my 73 454. I would jump the secondary battery to the primary battery when that truck had a heat soak - no start condition. After that isolator failed and was replaced twice, the mechanic working on it installed a push button on the dash that would engage the secondary battery and start the truck in a heat soak - no start condition. Otherwise, both batteries were charged off the alternator equally. That was probably the best set up for me.