www.iFourWinns.com

Hi guys, I posted a question in electrical and no one has responded so I'm trying here too. Does anyone have a part number for the battery isolator that Fourwinns uses? The one on my V278 has apparently gone bad. I thought I had the part number and didn't pull my defective one off over the weekend. Now I need to order one and can't find a part number. I've got a call in to the dealer and got a busy signal until 11:30 this morning. They said they would look it up and call me back but no call as of yet. I'm betting I won't hear from them for a few days at least and by that time I can have a new one in transit.

I might be in for a drive to the lake just to pull the bad one off if no one has any ideas for me.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Found the isolator - now to install and see if that solves my problem.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

A battery isolator is a one-way electrical battery that allows an electrical current to flow in one direction but not the other. A battery isolator typically is used in situations where multiple batteries are required, and its primary purpose is to ensure that the failure of a single battery will not incapacitate an entire electrical system. Battery isolators are used in large trucks, airplanes, boats, utility vehicles and other vehicles that require multiple batteries and backup sources of power.

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SPAMM SIG DELETED BY ADMIN

Arrrgh...turns out the isolator was not the problem. Boat still will not start if the isolator is wired correctly. The only way I can get the boat to start is if I put the #1 battery connection directly on the isolator post coming from the alternator. I know that's strange but the engine will start then. When starting though the engine turns slowly but does start. I must be back feeding the power somehow when I wire around the isolator. I traced all kinds of wires last night to no avail. The generator also will not start. I show 12.7 volts at the generator starter (easier to get the leads on) but as soon as you click the start circuit it drops way off.

I do have wiring schematics printed out and intend to trace every inch on Saturday morning. If I don't find the problem it looks as if I will go through the process of pulling the boat and towing it to the dealer. That kills at least several days along with enough fuel through my truck to wear the stripe off my credit card.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Ground?

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'96 200 Horizon 5.8l VP/SX

I never had a isolator, but it can not be that hard. OK, we know what is not the problem. Next (I would think), you need to go over all the wirings. You have a bad connection or a bad wire. JUST because your meter reads 12V, a wire could be still bad that it will not pass the needed current to start the engine!

Thanks for all the tips guys. I think I have my problem solved. Turns out there was a wiring problem compounded by what I suspect is a bad battery which the mechanic at the marina said was good. I ended up with 3 of us working on this, the dealer on the phone and a phone call from Bliss36 all giving me ideas. One new battery a broken wire at the Perko switch and a lead that was on the wrong post all contributed to the problem. I'm running and spent the afternoon on the lake. Keeping my fingers crossed that my problems are solved.

Thanks again to Bliss36. Hope I can repay you when we get together later in the summer.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

No problem Flyer51 it was my pleasure! I didn't forget that you were the one who offered to drive 8+ hours each way to pick us up with your trailer when the s**t hit the fan on our trip! I'm just glad to hear your electrical problems may finally be solved.

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