Description

Victron Argodiode 120-2AC 2 batteries 120A

Argodiode Battery Isolators are designed to facilitate the simultaneous charging of two or more batteries from a single alternator, while keeping the batteries isolated from each other. This means that if the accessory battery discharges, it does not cause the starter battery to discharge as well. The efficiency of these isolators is enhanced by the use of high-efficiency Schottky diodes, which ensures a low voltage drop during operation.

Diode battery isolators are engineered to enable the concurrent charging of multiple batteries from a single alternator without the need for interconnecting the batteries. This setup ensures that discharging an accessory battery, for instance, does not lead to the discharge of the starter battery as well. The Argo Battery Isolators stand out for their minimal voltage drop, attributed to the utilization of Schottky diodes—experiencing approximately 0.3 V drop at low current and around 0.45 V at the rated output. Each model comes equipped with a compensation diode designed to marginally increase the alternator’s output voltage to offset the voltage drop across the isolator’s diodes.

For optimal installation and performance, reference our publication ‘Energy Unlimited’ or seek expert guidance. Improper installation, such as merely integrating the isolator into the alternator-to-battery cabling, may result in reduced charging voltage. Consequently, batteries may not achieve full charge, potentially leading to premature aging.

Furthermore, some alternators require a DC voltage presence on the B+ output to initiate charging, a condition met when directly connected to a battery. However, inserting a Diode or FET splitter interrupts the return voltage/current from the batteries to the B+, preventing the alternator from starting. To address this, our new ‘AC’ diode isolators incorporate a special current-limited energize input that activates the B+ upon closing the engine’s run/stop switch, ensuring the alternator starts as needed.

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