Battery isolator shorted out?

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Took one of my other rigs for an emissions test yesterday. It's a diesel with an isolator and a winch. The emissions techs needed a 12volt power source, and since there is no cig lighter, they had to hook to the battery. I couldn't exactly see because of the hood, but it looked like they were screwing around more where the isolator is. If they did indeed hook into the isolator for a power source, could they short it out? After the test, there is now a significant voltage drop--about 10V on the gauge.
 
Took one of my other rigs for an emissions test yesterday. It's a diesel with an isolator and a winch. The emissions techs needed a 12volt power source, and since there is no cig lighter, they had to hook to the battery. I couldn't exactly see because of the hood, but it looked like they were screwing around more where the isolator is. If they did indeed hook into the isolator for a power source, could they short it out? After the test, there is now a significant voltage drop--about 10V on the gauge.


I assume you measured 10V at the primary battery? You didn't state what brand isolator you have...but a red LED lights up and it makes a chirp on mine when the isolator fails. If your's does not have any indicators for failure and the second battery had low/no voltage and the emissions tech bridged the isolator it could have allowed the primary battery to feed your secondary battery...thus, in this scenario, causing voltage drop in your primary battery.

You can use a voltmeter to detect if both batteries are getting a charge from the alternator...
 
My voltmeter quit working, so I don't have any hard facts yet. Going to get a new one tonight and check things out.
 

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