Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Driving Mode
The vehicle circuit battery is permanently connected in parallel to the generator and is charged when the engine is running. When the isolation switch is closed, the generator simultaneously charges the starter battery.
As the vehicle is driven the isolation switch cycles between open and closed based on:
- Voltage values of both batteries.
- Current transfer between both batteries as monitored by the isolation switch.
- Internal temperature of isolation switch.
Conditions Causing Switch To Open While Driving:
- Sufficiently charged starter battery.
- Current flow through switch exceeding 0.5 amps.
The starter battery will supplement vehicle electrical needs during periods of high demand (e.g continuous wiper operation combined with lights and blower).
- The internal temperature of the isolation switch exceeds programmed maximum value.
Conditions Causing Switch To Close While Driving:
- Monitored voltage of vehicle circuit battery exceeds that of starter battery by 0.7 volts.
- The voltage of the vehicle circuit battery drops below 9 volts three times within one minute.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.