Victron Argodiode 140A 3-Battery Isolator

Description

The Victron Argodiode 140-3AC Battery Isolator is designed to charge three separate battery banks from one alternator without permanently connecting the banks together. This arrangement is useful for boats with distinct starting, house, and accessory batteries because it allows all three to receive charging current while preventing one discharged bank from pulling down the others when charging stops.

High-efficiency Schottky diodes reduce the voltage loss normally associated with diode isolation. The drop is approximately 0.3V at low current and around 0.45V at rated output. A built-in compensation diode can be used to increase alternator output slightly, offsetting the voltage lost across the isolator so the connected batteries can reach a more complete state of charge.

The AC-series design also provides a current-limited alternator energize input. Some alternators require voltage at B+ before they will begin producing output, but an isolator can block the normal battery return path. The energize input supplies the required excitation when the engine run/stop switch is closed.

Rated for 140 amps and three battery outputs, this Victron isolator is well suited to multi-bank systems that need traditional diode isolation plus support for alternators requiring B+ excitation. See our other battery isolators & charging relays.