Ron,
The OEM-style diode isolator allows the chassis and house batteries to be
charged simultaneously by the engine driven alternator and prevents house
loads from discharging the chassis battery when the engine's not running.
That's an important job.
BUT, the 120vac converter can only charge the house battery -- not the
chassis battery (unless you manually connect the two batteries together --
a PITA). A combiner, on the other hand, performs the same functions as the
isolator with the added benefit that the converter will charge the chassis
battery from the converter, automatically.
The combiner also conserves a little bit of wasted energy since there's an
inherent 0.7VDC drop across the isolator's diodes. Since the combiner is
merely a mechanical relay driven by a voltage detecting circuit, there's no
power loss across it. The detection circuit closes the relay only when one
of the battery banks reaches charge voltage -- either from the alternator
or the converter.
My choice is the Yandina 160 (I upgraded after two warranty covered
failures of 100's. Here's a link:
http://yandina.com/c160Info.htm
There are other manufacturers, but Yandina invented it and I've had no
experience with any of the others.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com
> Hi all,
> I need a new battery isolator for my 76 Glenbrook any suggestions?
> Also wondering of anyone has a replacement for the driver and passenger
> speaker / light assemblies/ grills.
> Mine are falling apart as I'm sure many others are.
> Thanks,
> Ron Preston