Garvanic Isolators all the same?
 

Are all Galvanic Isolators the same? Are the GUEST Galvanic Isolators from
West Marine as good as any others? I need to install a 30 AMP Galvanic
Isolator.



Is it true if I disconnect the dock power from the boat when I am not their,
I do not need one?



Thank you

Garvanic Isolators all the same?
 

Are all Galvanic Isolators the same? Are the GUEST Galvanic Isolators from
West Marine as good as any others? I need to install a 30 AMP Galvanic
Isolator.

Should be pretty close....the main component of a galvanic isolator is a bit of
solid state electronics that allows current to flow one way, but not another.
(I think it's a diode, but 296 people will correct me if I'm wrong.) Odds are
that nobody builds their own diode, probably bought from a common supplier.

Garvanic Isolators all the same?
 

"SBC" wrote in message
.. .
Are all Galvanic Isolators the same? Are the GUEST Galvanic Isolators from
West Marine as good as any others? I need to install a 30 AMP Galvanic
Isolator.



Is it true if I disconnect the dock power from the boat when I am not
their,
I do not need one?



Thank you



Here are a couple of good articles on the subject by Dave Pascoe:

http://yachtsurvey.com/corrosion_in_marinas.htm

http://yachtsurvey.com/corrosion.htm

Garvanic Isolators all the same?
 

"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...

Should be pretty close....the main component of a galvanic isolator is a
bit of
solid state electronics that allows current to flow one way, but not
another.
(I think it's a diode, but 296 people will correct me if I'm wrong.)



Here is one correction (295 to go....)

The isolator doesn't favor one direction over the other. It uses diodes in
parallel facing opposite directions so that an AC current can still flow
either way. The purpose is to require that the voltage be higher than what
galvanic action would generate. A couple of diode drops would require a
voltage of 1.4 volts, more than any likely galvanic action but not enough to
create a shock hazard.

Rod

Garvanic Isolators all the same?
 

Here is one correction (295 to go....)



Well, I knew there was a diode in there.
I suspected I might have put the wrong name on the electronic component.

Isn't that the normal function of a diode?
Preventing the flow of current in one direction or another?

Garvanic Isolators all the same?
 

Some use a capacitor as well as diodes, others use diodes alone. It is
debatable whether the capacitor is necessary or even desirable. Other than
that, for a given rating, there is no real difference in brand.

The isolator goes in series with the shore power ground and, therefore, is not
needed if there is no shore power connected.

SBC wrote:

Are all Galvanic Isolators the same? Are the GUEST Galvanic Isolators from
West Marine as good as any others? I need to install a 30 AMP Galvanic
Isolator.

Is it true if I disconnect the dock power from the boat when I am not their,
I do not need one?

Thank you

Garvanic Isolators all the same?
 

"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...


Isn't that the normal function of a diode?
Preventing the flow of current in one direction or another?


Yes, that is the normal function. A typical diode will have a voltage drop
of about 0.7 volts when current is flowing through it. If you put two of
these diodes in parallel, but facing opposite directions, then current will
flow either way but the voltage has to be above 0.7 volts.

Rod