What Is the Voltage Drop for a DC to DC Converter Compared to a Fet Battery Isolator?
August 13, 2023 · 3 min · 5K views
What this video covers
FET battery isolators and DC to DC converters function differently regarding voltage regulation and power efficiency. A FET isolator allows directional current flow from an alternator to multiple battery banks while preventing back-feeding between batteries.2:19 These devices experience a minor inherent voltage drop, though they remain significantly more efficient than older diode-based isolators.0:34 In contrast, a DC to DC converter actively modulates output to reach specific target voltages, such as 14.4 volts, to ensure proper charging of a secondary battery bank.2:30 While a DC to DC converter does not suffer from the same voltage drop as an isolator, the conversion process consumes additional amperage to maintain the required output voltage.1:16 The efficiency loss in a DC to DC converter is comparable to that of a FET isolator, but the converter provides precise voltage control rather than simple current sharing.1:44
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