So this is weird and I don't know exactly how to explain it, but thought it was relevant to the 'is it "smart"' question. Unless someone else knows a reason to do otherwise haha. , beefing up my isolator to the Renogy 200A, and eventually adding a 100W or 80W solar panel to the roof. I will probably just end up upgrading my alternator with a custom high output one from excessive amperage since my batteries are AGM and can be charged more than the stock alternator is able to My conclusion from all my forum reading, youtube watching, and this 45 minutes spent watching a couple volt meters. So maybe someone here can explain this? Because I can't. Then then the start and second battery voltages shot back up to 13.6V each and stayed that way for the next 15 minutes. This went on for almost 10 minutes as I watched and wondered what the hell this "smart" alternator was thinking to create this cycle. But then the start battery jumped back up to 13.5V for a second and back down to 12.4V allowing the isolator to allow charge to the second battery again for about 5 seconds and then shut off again and instantly repeat this process. The start battery hit 12.4 volts and the isolator stopped allowing charge to the second battery(also 12.4V)(side note: the isolator im using cuts off at 12.4V and back on again at 13.3V). I watched the voltage in both batteries decrease as the accessories slowly drained the battery system until about 20 minutes in. All these accessories powered by the yellow top second battery. I then turned all the auxilary lights, as well as the fridge/freezer attempting to cool to -8 F, and a 1000W power inverter running a 1500W heat gun on the lowest setting. I started the truck and immediately checked the voltage again: My setup is an Optima Red Top Group 34 Start Battery, an Optima Yellow Top Group 34 Accessory Battery, and the Keyline 140A Smart Battery Isolator.īefore I started the truck I checked the Voltage on the batteries: I didn't realize that the tacoma's alternator was smart and worked in this way, so I decided I would just conduct a similar test on my system to see just how the "smart" alternator would react to charging my second battery.
I had just begun researching about the difference between DC-DC chargers and smart battery isolators to determine if my isolator was enough or if I needed to invest in a DC-DC charger for the system. I read though this thread earlier today as just installed a dual battery system in my taco about a week ago. Click to expand.So this is weird and I don't know exactly how to explain it, but thought it was relevant to the 'is it "smart"' question.