Potential Battery separator Issue (1 Viewer)

[Brentbba]

I installed a new 1314-200 Sure Power battery separator to replace a very old one I think had gone bad. Two reasons on the old one. First, I've stopped hearing the distinctive clicking of the solenoid clicking open and closed. Second, I'd turned off my truck (senior moment as I have ALWAYS left the truck running with the air compressor in use...in the past) and aired up two trucks with my compressor at the end of the Monache trip. That killed both the aux battery and my main battery. It shouldn't have killed the main battery. It should have disconnected.
I ordered and installed the new one wired exactly as the old one. I got two distinctive clicks when I connected the main battery cable to the separator, and nothing since that. Ground wire was already attached when I connected the main battery. Both batteries read 12.1 with the engine off and 14.5 with the engine running. Drain on the main battery when starting the truck went down to 11.2. Running Optima Red Top batteries. They are 8 years old but voltage shows they are still good.
Do I have a defective unit? Aux wires to stuff in the truck is wired both to the Aux side of the separator and directly to the battery in the case of the compressor and winch. Lights, ham radio, etc. are connected at the separator. It's been that way for years. Original separator has to be over 8 years old as I had it before installing the Optima Red Tops in April, 2015. Good life out of the Red Tops, but part of me wonders if the separator isn't working due to age of the batteries, despite the voltage numbers looking good on both batteries.
I'd love to solve this soon as I don't want to get stranded with dead batteries from just the fridge running if the batteries aren't truly separated when the voltage on the main drops below 12.8V.
I am in contact with the seller of the separator and they are contacting the manufacturer on the issue too.

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[2KCruiser]

First I would replace your batteries at 8+ years of use. I would also not recommend the new Red Tops, they are not the same as the older ones when comparing longevity or performance. It seems that the batteries are both staying connected at all times thus the drop in voltage. I would recommend swapping out with a new solenoid. Also saw you guys in Monache, what great weather that weekend!

 

[Brentbba]

Well, I didn't want to get into a debate on which battery is best, full well knowing there are plenty of opinions out there and none are as good as what we used to get. If not Optima Red Top, what?
I have contacted seller of the new separator and they are contacting the mfg.
My biggest question, outside a potential faulty new separator is whether the shear age of the batteries has anything to do with it. I know I've gotten my monies worth out of these two at 8 years!

 

[2KCruiser]

Who's debating? Just giving you my opinion, (father was a car electrician for 40+ years and I have been running a performance shop with them for nearly 25yrs, 15 of those years in Land Cruisers, but again, just my opinion).
I have a Redarc in mine which works pretty much identical to yours where if the main battery drops to 12.8v or lower it would disconnect the AUX battery. Quick way to test is if you have a volt meter, with the engine off, just turn on lights, stereo, other accessories and you should only see a drop in voltage in 1 battery, not both. If both drop, then the batteries are still connected and the solenoid is not disconnecting. And again, replace both batteries, not worth trying to squeeze any more life out of them when compared to the trouble of you being stuck somewhere.

 

[Brentbba]

Redarc is another separator IIRC, right? What batteries are you running with that? I had planned on some research of batteries these days. Current price on the Red Top is $300. They were $250 back in 2015.

 

[oc cruiser 97]

First I would replace your batteries at 8+ years of use. I would also not recommend the new Red Tops, they are not the same as the older ones when comparing longevity or performance. It seems that the batteries are both staying connected at all times thus the drop in voltage. I would recommend swapping out with a new solenoid. Also saw you guys in Monache, what great weather that weekend!

Hi , Separate from the original topic. What battery brand(s) do you Recommend four r eighty series ? Any guidance would be appreciated .

Marc

 

[2KCruiser]

I've stepped away from the high end stuff this last decade and have been using AC Delco AGM Gold Series and have been very happy with them.

 

[2KCruiser]

Here are some pictures from Monache, was this your camp?

 

[Brentbba]

Yep, that was us!

 

[2KCruiser]

Yep, that was us!

Yes, spoke to you when we arrived there. Nice meeting you guys. I'm located in the San Fernando Valley if you ever need parts or work done that you don't want to wrench on yourself, I know I do sometimes lol.

 

[oc cruiser 97]

I've stepped away from the high end stuff this last decade and have been using AC Delco AGM Gold Series and have been very happy with them.

Good to know , So many battery brands out there with so much over marketing and hype !!

Marc

 

[Brentbba]

Pulled my paperwork on the batteries. I haven't been running Optima Red Tops! They have a red top but are Odyssey Extreme. The later run $385 now! Yikes.

 

[2KCruiser]

Pulled my paperwork on the batteries. I haven't been running Optima Red Tops! They have a red top but are Odyssey Extreme. The later run $385 now! Yikes.

Now that makes more sense! I had yet to see an Optima run past 5 years. Most are 3-5. Odyssey is a great battery, just have to pay for it.

 

[Brentbba]

Now that makes more sense! I had yet to see an Optima run past 5 years. Most are 3-5. Odyssey is a great battery, just have to pay for it.

Yep, ordered 2 Optimas and wonder whether to cancel or not and go with something less expensive. Batteries Plus is 10% off which helps some.

 

[Brav]

I would get a local delco AGM as suggested. I did an Oreilly AGM platinum start batt and an Oreilly AGM deep cycle. Same chemistry between the two will have best results. Charging voltage is the same (higher w AGM)

 

[Brentbba]

Got the Optima Red Tops installed today. Batteries Plus 10% off and they only charged me $10 to install BOTH batteries. Lake Forest Batteries Plus. Kid that did the install (Seth, only 25 yrs old) was extremely careful with all the accessory wiring and did a very good job cleaning off the contacts and new terminals. Needless to say, I tipped him way more than the shop charged me.

News gets better. When I turned off the engine, after a few seconds I heard a distinctive click from the Sure Power battery separator.