When one battery drops out on a critical load, this combiner lets two DC sources power that load in parallel without backfeeding each other. Its Schottky diode design reduces voltage drop, so power stays on if one source fails.
Running sensitive equipment off a single battery risks total power loss if that source drops out. This combiner lets two DC power sources feed one load at the same time, so output continues even if one source fails. Your system stays powered instead of going dark when one battery or supply cuts out.
Directly paralleling batteries can let a weak or discharged battery pull down a stronger one. This unit uses diode isolation to block current from flowing backward between sources, so each battery stays independent while still supplying the load. You avoid one battery dragging the other down during uneven discharge.
Single-source setups can overload one battery while another sits unused. This combiner allows two DC sources to operate in parallel into a single load, so demand is shared instead of concentrated. Loads draw from both sources together, which spreads current across the system.
Standard diode systems can lose too much voltage and affect performance under load. This design uses Schottky diodes to keep voltage drop to approximately 0.3 V at low current and approximately 0.45 V at 80 amps. More of your available voltage reaches the load instead of being lost across the combiner.
Undersized components can overheat or limit usable current in higher-demand setups. This unit supports up to 80 amps of continuous current, so it needs to match the load demand to avoid restriction. When sized correctly, it maintains steady output without exceeding its rating.
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hi everybody. Andy here with etrailer. Let's take a quick look at this Vitron Argo BCD-802 diode battery combiner. Now this is a battery safety and reliability device. Its main job is to let two separate batteries power the same DC system without letting the batteries interfere with or drain each other. This does this using diodes, which acts like one way valves for electricity.
That means power can flow from each battery to your load, but not back into the other battery. So if one battery fails, is disconnected, or runs low, the other battery can keep supplying power automatically. No switches or user action is required. So this is a BCD-802. It's designed for two battery banks up to 80 amps of continuous current.
And this is designed for critical DC loads where reliability matters. And Vittron uses Schottky diodes, I think I'm saying that correctly, which are known for having a lower voltage drop in standard diodes. That's gonna help improve efficiency though there is still a small voltage loss compared to systems like voltage sensing relays. So you're gonna commonly see this unit using marine, RV, emergency power, and off grid systems, especially when people want redundancy like keeping navigation, electronics, communication equipment, or essential DC systems running even if one battery goes down. Lemme go ahead and give you some measurements.
Looking at what I'm calling the length here, we're sitting at four and three quarters inches long. The width right at three inches wide. The height including up to the terminals here, right at two and a half inches tall. Instructions are going to be included with this to guide you through the insulation and the operation. But if you happen to have any other questions about this combiner or anything else that we have here at etrailer, don't hesitate to reach out.
We do wanna make sure that you're getting exactly what you need. Well, again, my name is Andy. Thank you for joining me.
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