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tim-prophit asked

Argofet isolator connection, Alternator output wire

Per instructions that came with Argofet battery isolator. I ran a wire from the alternator output to the isolator. What was not clear in the instructions is, should the old (original) output wire be disconnected from the alternator, or, remain connected. Thanks for any assistance with this.

Argo FET Diode
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michaeld answered ·

@Tim Prophit

Yes, assuming the original output wire connects to your starter battery. Disconnect it from the alternator and connect it to one of the argofet outputs. The other output connects to your house bank.

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tim-prophit avatar image tim-prophit commented ·
I believe the original alternator output connects to starter. I now have an output wire from alternator connected to input of Argofet isolator. To clarify your response, are you saying I need to disconnect the original alternator output wire from the alternator, and connect it to one of the Argofet outpts?

Thank you.

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michaeld avatar image michaeld tim-prophit commented ·

Your alternator was originally connected to the starter as that's the closest (and chunky) connection to the starter battery. The only cable connected to the alternator output should be to the argofet input. One of the argofet outputs will go to your leisure batteries, and the other to your starter battery. Since you already have an existing cable connected to the starter battery (alternator to starter) you could use that as the argofet starter battery output to make life easier. So in answer to your question, yes :)

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tim-prophit avatar image tim-prophit michaeld commented ·
So, I just wired it up, exactly as you described. Here's my problem. Even with the battery selector switch turned to the off position, my distribution panel is still getting power. To confirm I extended the old alternator output wires and connected them to the output of the starting battery. My concern is that the starting battery will be going to the distribution panel, as well as the house batteries, when they are switched on. This will drain my starting battery. Please advise because I don't think this solution is right. Thank you.

To be specific, the one alternator output wire goes to the Argo fet input. The old alternator output wires were extended, and connected to the Argo fet output of the starting battery.

Any suggestions you may have to correct this would be much appreciated. I need the ability to turn the batteries off. Thank you.

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tim-prophit avatar image tim-prophit tim-prophit commented ·
More detail. There was an orange 8 gauge wire and a green 12 gauge wire that were part of the original alternator output. When I connect only the green to the Argo fet starting battery output I do not get power to the distribution panel. If I connect the orange, I do get power to the distribution panel. I hope this helps resolve this. Thank you
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tim-prophit answered ·

Thank you. This is for a battery conversion/upgrade on a 45 year old sailboat. From alternator to batteries/isolator requires 18' of wire, so I wanted to be sure. Thank you for your very helpful response.

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michaeld avatar image michaeld commented ·
No worries! I'm on a narrowboat so space is scarce and everything's in an odd place, so well used to it :)
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