Redarc Smart Battery Isolator intermittent switch wiring (1 Viewer)

[CharlieS]

Updated: Resurrecting my own thread. The intermittent does need to go to ground when the SBI is used for self jump starting, in the BCDC/SBI combo.

Not sure where to start... I installed a Redarc smart battery isolator. It has a blue wire that needs to be grounded through a momentary switch to "link" the batteries to self jump start.

I'm doing all of my accessory switching through a Switch-Pros 9100, which (as far as I can tell) switches the positive side. Positive makes sense for most accessories, but I need to link to ground for the SBI.

If I was using a regular relay, I think I'd just use the input/control (pin 86) to switch the ground (on pin 30 and 87). How would you accomplish this with a Switch-Pros setup with the minimum number of extra components?

I suppose I could use a Switch-Pros button set on momentary to switch an external relay to do this, but the idea behind the switch-pros is to get rid of as many of the extraneous components as possible. It also seems silly to use a relay (I guess technically it is an integrated circuit) to switch a relay, to switch another relay.

I know it has been done, Eric Sargent's guys did it on the white 200 in a recent video he posted.

Any advice you can offer is appreciated.

 

[619TOY]

Can you post manual or model number? The way I read the manual online, it requires a positive trigger on the blue wire to override.

 

[CharlieS]

Wow, I'm going to feel stupid if that blue wire is switched to +!

It is a SBI12 - and here is a manual: https://www.redarc.com.au/Content/Images/uploaded/Manuals/SBI Instruction Manual.pdf

I'm rereading it too.

Yup, you're right. I'm, an idiot. Thank you for helping (and so quickly!!).

Easy peasy, set up a switch on the Switch-Pros as momentary, and have it trigger the blue wire of the SBI. Perfect! Thanks again!

 

[619TOY]

Woo hoo, just a second set of eyes

 

[CharlieS]

I love this place! Thanks a million!

 

[CharlieS]

Bringing this back.

I finally finished installing my Switchpros, and realized the momentary power doesn't work to trigger the SBI in this configuration.

Although the SBI would normally switch to power, the BCDC/SBI combo requires a momentary switch to ground.

Please see below, noting the lower right part of the diagram.

 

[CharlieS]

I said to heck with it, and neutered the SBI so it is just a starter relay.

I could have saved $120 if I just bought a starter relay in the first place.

It works fine for jumping with the trigger being the positive wire from the Switch-Pros. When power is applied it connects the batteries. No power applied, the batteries are isolated.

The BCDC takes care of controlling charging of the auxiliary, and isolating them.

Hopefully I didn't do something stupid. The good news is that I could put it all back together quickly if needed. Nothing was altered or damaged when removing the smart bits.

The part I removed:

 

[indycole]

I used a changeover relay with the SBI to use it as remote manual connection.

 

[RobW0]

I just wired in a momentary switch. The switch is wire with the ground from the SBI and the LED is wired from the BCDC green wire. When the LED is on solid it indicates that the BCDC has linked the aux and main battery. Once the main battery voltage drops below 12.7 the LED goes out.

 

[CharlieS]

If I didn't already have the Switch-Pros, it would be easier to just have a simple intermittent switch on the ground wire, as Redarc schematic.

Here's the thing: in the ground switched version of wiring the SBI, the switch is normally open, so the ground is not connected, and the primary/secondary batteries don't get connected until you push the button. The SBI is just functioning as a high amperage relay, not using anything in the little red box.

So, in this specific instance, a $10 starter relay would do a fine job.

Of course, this is only my opinion. I'd be happy to be educated otherwise. It'd be nice to not have the brains of the SBI go to waste.

 

[619TOY]

Not being sure exactly what you’re referring to with the starter relay, that may or may not handle the current you need to jumpstart. Some starter relays (like Ford) has used are merely to engage the actual starter solenoid at the starter. You need a solenoid capable of 150 amps & up. If you really want to wire it up the way the diagram indicates, just wire in a supplemental 12v automotive/ Bosch style relay. That way you’ll work around the Switch Pros only offering positive outputs. Sorry for my crappy, sitting on the couch with a Dober on my arm drawing

 

[CharlieS]

8 gauge fused (Midi 40A) copper leads on the large posts go to each battery. Small (ground) post goes to the body ground, and small (switched) post has the trigger lead from the Switch-Pros (switch set to momentary/battery, not ignition).

It works as I would expect it to. Press the button, the relay closes, batteries are linked. Button not pressed, batteries not linked.

The BCDC takes care of the charging of the auxiliary.

 

[RobW0]

View attachment 2225876
8 gauge fused (Midi 40A) copper leads on the large posts go to each battery. Small (ground) post goes to the body ground, and small (switched) post has the trigger lead from the Switch-Pros (switch set to momentary/battery, not ignition).

It works as I would expect it to. Press the button, the relay closes, batteries are linked. Button not pressed, batteries not linked.

The BCDC takes care of the charging of the auxiliary.

The one question I would have for you is, how is the Switch -Pros powered? If it is hooked up to the main battery, does it need power to work? If it does,. my concern would be that if your main battery is so dead that the Switch - Pros does not have power you will not be able to activate the switch.

 

[CharlieS]

The one question I would have for you is, how is the Switch -Pros powered? If it is hooked up to the main battery, does it need power to work? If it does,. my concern would be that if your main battery is so dead that the Switch - Pros does not have power you will not be able to activate the switch.

The Switch-Pros main power and ground are connected to the auxiliary battery.

There is also a (light blue) trigger wire that is connected to an ignition source which allows switches to work only when the ignition is on. For mine, I used the ignition fuse in the main fuse box, piggybacked using an add-a-fuse.

However, every switch has the option to be either enabled when the ignition is on, or all the time. I have the self-jump switch configured to be on all the time.

The Switch-Pros has a Bluetooth connection and phone app where you can set this stuff up easily.

 

[CharlieS]

Not being sure exactly what you’re referring to with the starter relay, that may or may not handle the current you need to jumpstart. Some starter relays (like Ford) has used are merely to engage the actual starter solenoid at the starter. You need a solenoid capable of 150 amps & up. If you really want to wire it up the way the diagram indicates, just wire in a supplemental 12v automotive/ Bosch style relay. That way you’ll work around the Switch Pros only offering positive outputs. Sorry for my crappy, sitting on the couch with a Dober on my arm drawing

View attachment 2225849

Thanks. I don't know the exact term, but without the red box, this thing looks like a starter relay on an old ford.

I kept the Redarc guts, so I know it can handle the amperage. I just removed the bits they added that turn it into a fancy battery isolator.

 

[RobW0]

The Switch-Pros main power and ground are connected to the auxiliary battery.

There is also a (light blue) trigger wire that is connected to an ignition source which allows switches to work only when the ignition is on. For mine, I used the ignition fuse in the main fuse box, piggybacked using an add-a-fuse.

However, every switch has the option to be either enabled when the ignition is on, or all the time. I have the self-jump switch configured to be on all the time.

The Switch-Pros has a Bluetooth connection and phone app where you can set this stuff up easily.

Ok, so as long as you have power from the Aux battery your switch pro will work.

 

[BAY2MTN]

The Switch-Pros main power and ground are connected to the auxiliary battery.

There is also a (light blue) trigger wire that is connected to an ignition source which allows switches to work only when the ignition is on. For mine, I used the ignition fuse in the main fuse box, piggybacked using an add-a-fuse.

However, every switch has the option to be either enabled when the ignition is on, or all the time. I have the self-jump switch configured to be on all the time.

The Switch-Pros has a Bluetooth connection and phone app where you can set this stuff up easily.

Where do you mount your Switch Pro? I saw this at SDHQ’s website and liked the idea vs a floating dash mount:

 

[CharlieS]

I made a simple bracket from aluminum sheet and put it where the ashtray goes. I have a Redarc trailer brake controller in the spot you show above.

 

[CharlieS]

Ok, so as long as you have power from the Aux battery your switch pro will work.

Correct.

 

[Julian73]

Bringing this back.

I finally finished installing my Switchpros, and realized the momentary power doesn't work to trigger the SBI in this configuration.

Although the SBI would normally switch to power, the BCDC/SBI combo requires a momentary switch to ground.

Please see below, noting the lower right part of the diagram.

View attachment 2224833

Bringing back from the dead. The SBI does not need to be triggered with a momentary to ground, and SP-9100 can trigger asa Positive lead wiring the SBI as in Option 3