Victron Energy Battery Isolators and Battery Combiners

Optimize your battery charging system with a high-quality charge current distributor from Victron Energy. A Victron charge current distributor distributes the charging current evenly and efficiently across multiple battery banks without the batteries discharging each other—and with virtually no voltage loss in the electronic models. At Offgridtec, you’ll find the right charge current distributor for your energy needs.

3 Ways to Charge Multiple Batteries Simultaneously

To prevent interconnected batteries from discharging each other, you can use three different components:

1. Isolating diodes: These are semiconductor devices that regulate the current so that it can flow in only one direction. This allows for simultaneous charging while preventing mutual discharge. However, their use results in a voltage drop of approximately 0.7V, which means the battery will not be fully charged without compensation.
2. Isolating relays: These are electromagnetic switches that connect the batteries during charging and then disconnect them again, thereby preventing any voltage loss. A simple isolating relay typically requires a pulse, usually from the alternator’s D+ terminal. The Victron Cyrix battery couplers, on the other hand, are voltage-controlled and do not require a D+ signal.
3. Charge current distributors: These are an advanced version of the isolating diode and distribute the charge current across multiple batteries without coupling them together. Victron offers them as Argo diodes with a compensation diode and as electronic ArgoFETs with very low voltage drop. Furthermore, this is the most effective way to prevent other batteries from discharging when a high-power load is in use.

Victron Charge Current Distributors for Optimal Charging of Isolated Battery Systems

To charge independent battery systems with as little risk as possible, a charge current distributor from Victron Energy is the best choice. Argodiodes and Argofets are available for 2 or 3 batteries—the number after the hyphen in the name indicates the quantity. For two DC circuits, BCD diode couplers are also available.

Buy high-quality Victron charge current distributors online at Offgridtec

Experience the performance of a high-quality charge current distributor from Victron Energy. With this device, you can easily distribute the charge current across multiple battery groups. At Offgridtec, you’ll find an extensive selection of high-quality charge current distributors from the premium brand Victron Energy that are sure to meet your needs.

If you have any questions about our product range, our experts will be happy to assist you. Our customer service representatives are available at 08721 91994-00 for both private customers and specialty retailers.

Charging Current Distributors in RVs and on Boats

In motorhomes and on boats, the alternator typically charges a starter battery and one or two service batteries. A 2-battery charge distributor separates the starter battery from the service batteries, while a 3-battery charge distributor additionally supplies power to, for example, a battery for a bow thruster or windlass. This ensures the starter battery remains fully charged, even when you’re using power on board. In addition to the alternator, you can also connect a Victron battery charger to shore power or a Victron solar charge controller to the charge distributor to charge multiple batteries simultaneously.

Connecting the Charging Current Distributor

Connect the input of the charge distributor to the charging source, and connect each output to a battery via its own fuse. The negative terminals of all batteries are connected to a common ground. Follow Victron’s instructions exactly when connecting—if in doubt, have a professional workshop handle the installation. You can check how full each battery is using a battery monitor from the Victron battery monitoring system.

You can find charge current distributors and isolating diodes from other manufacturers in the Battery Isolating Diodes category.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Victron Charge Distributors

What is a charge current distributor?

A charge current distributor distributes the charge current from a source, such as the alternator, across multiple batteries and prevents them from discharging each other. Modern charge current distributors use compensation or electronic control to operate with virtually no voltage drop. This ensures that the full charging voltage and the required current reach the battery.

What should you keep in mind when connecting two batteries in series?

When connecting multiple batteries in series, always ensure that they have the same capacity and voltage. It is best if the batteries are also approximately the same age so that their performance levels are roughly equivalent.

What is a isolating diode?

Isolating diodes allow connected batteries to be charged simultaneously. They prevent the batteries from discharging each other. However, when using them, you should expect a voltage drop of approximately 0.7 V. Today, more effective devices such as charge current distributors with compensation or electronic charge current distributors are used for this purpose.

What happens when you connect two batteries in parallel?

When connected in parallel, the total capacity of the batteries (Ah) doubles, while the voltage (V) remains the same. Be sure to connect only batteries of the same type with the same voltage and a similar state of charge, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You should not permanently connect the starter battery and the service battery in parallel—that’s what a charge current distributor is for.

Which charge current distributor is suitable for a motorhome or boat?

The key factors are the number of batteries and the maximum current output of your alternator. A charge current distributor for 2 batteries is sufficient for the starter and service batteries; for a third battery, use a model designed for 3 batteries. The charge current distributor must be capable of handling at least as much current as the alternator supplies—for example, an Argodiode 120-2AC for 120 A.

Charging Current Distributor or Charge Booster?

Many newer vehicles have a smart alternator that reduces its voltage depending on driving conditions. In such cases, the service battery—especially a lithium battery—will no longer charge fully via a charge current distributor. In this situation, a charge booster from Victron’s DC-DC converters is the better choice.