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“Separator equipped” vehicles will have changes, but will operate very similar to
unmodified vehicles.
Vehicle Battery
The vehicle battery is a standard automotive type and is used to "start" the vehicle and
operate accessories when the engine is not running. This type of battery is not designed
to be "deep cycled," but rather is intended to deliver large
amounts of current to the starter for short durations.
In “isolator equipped” vehicles, the battery is connected to
the alternator via the isolator, which allows both the RV
battery and vehicle battery to charge whenever the
alternator is active.
In “separator equipped” vehicles, the vehicle battery is
connected directly to the alternator and to the RV battery
via the separator which connects the batteries together whenever the voltages present on
ether battery indicates charging is taking place.
Both the separator and isolator protect the respective batteries from damage by
separating or isolating the batteries from each other in operation, but allowing them to be
charged when external power is available.
RV battery
The RV battery or batteries are special "deep cycle" types and are designed to be deeply
discharged and charged repeatedly. They are not intended to deliver the high current
required by the engine starter.
The simulator has an RV Battery State dropdown
box. You can set the battery state to FULL, POOR or
DEAD. Note that if the simulator detects that the
battery is "charging" the battery state will
automatically change from DEAD to POOR.
Deep cycle batteries always have bolt on connections
with wing nuts, which distinguish them from common
automotive batteries.
What type of battery to use is can be a contentious discussion. The various types all
have some advantages over another. The common flooded electrolyte batteries are the
least expensive and if maintained properly will last a long time. Any battery if abused will
have a shorter life than one properly maintained and operated.
Isolator
The isolator has one role and that is to allow the
alternator to "charge" the RV battery, but at the same
