Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
Hi Preacher and Bodsy, the new USI-160 is designed to allow the auxiliary and cranking battery to be connected together while winching.
The unit is quite small and to give you an idea of it's size, thats a standard pack of playing cards.
Click image to enlarge
Preacher, you can fit the in-cab module in any direction, IE LED at the top and switch at the bottom or sideways, what ever suits your needs.
With the switch set away from the LED, the USI-160 is in SHARED mode, and operates in a similar manor to the SC80-LR but with one power saving exception. While the SC80-LR keeps the batteries connected via it’s two relays, the USI-160, turns one of the relays off to conserve battery power.
With the switch set towards the LED, the USI-160 is in IGNITION mode, the USI-160 operates like any other Isolator in that when the motor is turned off, or soon there after, the USI-160 turns off.
Some other features of the USI-160 is it’s ability to connect the auxiliary battery to the cranking battery if the cranking battery is flat. With a low cranking battery, just set the switch to the IGNITION mode and the batteries are paralleled for 25 seconds.
So you can start the motor, and once the motor is up and running, the USI-160 automatically goes into IGNITION mode again.
With the motor running, if you set the switch from SHARED mode to the IGNITION mode, the USI-160 goes into a WINCH mode where it keeps the batteries connected together indefinitely while the voltage stays above 12.9v
While in WINCH mode, if the voltage drops below 12.9v, a 5 minute shutdown timer starts. If the voltage rises back above 12.9v, the time is reset, but if it remains below 12.9v for more than 5 minutes, the isolator switches off.
This is done for two reasons, the correct way to winch is set the motor to a high idle and winch for 60 seconds and the rest for 90 seconds. Each time you rest the voltage will rise above 12.9v and reset the timer.
If you don’t rest, the USI-160 will isolate the auxiliary battery to protect it from being flattened but also if when you finish winching and you forget to switch out of winch mode, about 5 minutes after you turn the motor off, the USI-160 will go into IGNITION mode and isolate the auxiliary battery.
If at any time while in WINCH mode and winching, if the voltage drops below 10.5v, the USI-160 will automatically isolate the auxiliary battery to protect it.
The in-cab modules LED indicates which operating mode your in and will indicate if one or both batteries are in a low state.
There are a lot more functions to the USI-160 but it would take some time to post them all up.
I will eventually be putting the full operating details on my web site ( when I get time ) but the USI-160 ( Ultra Smart Isolator ) is probably the most advanced isolator on the market for anywhere near the price.2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
20th Jan 2011 11:30 am
Preacher
Member Since: 15 Aug 2009
Location: NE Victoria
Posts: 141
drivesafe
Tell me one thing more.
When I first start the D3 in the morning there is a slight hesitancy in connection and there fore power to the starter - it is only momentarily but its there. Any ideas?
dj
7th Feb 2011 10:32 am
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
Hi Preacher, can you give me a little more info on what is happening?2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
Footnote, my piranha and optima combination is now coming up to 5 years old. operating as new. About to take the optima out for a load and charge test before a western queensland trip this winter.
I guess I can confirm thise setup as robust and trustworthy.
IanvTDV6
9th Feb 2011 11:08 am
Dan W
Member Since: 21 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 355
ianv, where do you have that 240V inverter mounted? In your disco or in the Tvan? Can't quite make it out from the photo in your gallery.2012 MY13 SDV6 SE D4 Ipanema Sand with Almond leather
2012 TDI Passat - they reckon the DSG is crap, I reckon it's awesome
2010 MY11 Mitsubishi Challenger - Gone (it was a "Challenging Year")
2007 MY08 TDV6 SE - gone
In the Disco, under the floor behind the 2nd row of seats.
There is a footwell in my 5 seater with quite a bit of spare space.
ianvTDV6
15th Feb 2011 10:53 am
Preacher
Member Since: 15 Aug 2009
Location: NE Victoria
Posts: 141
Burnt out starter motor
drivesafe wrote:
Hi Preacher, can you give me a little more info on what is happening?
Drivesafe
I'm sitting in a motel in Bendigo Vic with my D3 and caravan at the RACV depot with what they say as a burnt out 'starter motor'
In the post above I mentioned that since fitting the new 160 unit there had been a sligt hesitancy in starting thje vehicle - it then seemed to start 1st try once I turned the switch to the opposite way (to what ever I had it on at the time) however this morning - on he road we stopped for a coffee and it was dead when I tried to starty it and so I flicked the switch and it started but sounded vetry much like a dying battery. I thought I might have left something on the nignt before and it'd be OK as it has in the past.
However stopping for lunch in Bendigo it refused to start on either switching - on both giving a small whir and then nothing. RACV investigated ad said it was the starter motor. I'm now marooned in Bendigo with my van filled with my trade dispaly for the Caravan show in SA - which afterwards I was going to the Flinders for a trip.
Is it a coincidence that the hesrtancy I mentioned in a previous post has now turned into a dead starter motor.
Before the RACV came I checked all 3 batteries - the 2 yellow tops were at 13 .2 V the crank battery at 12.8 and the 2 caravan batteries also at 13.2
Racv said the crank battery was putting out 866 cranking ?? when it was only rated at 700 odd cranking?? so he said it was certainly very full.
please let me know your thoughts asap as of tomorrow morning a new starter is to be ordxetred and I don't wamt something to happen to that also if there is a problem
You've got my mobile - give me a ring asap
thanks
dj
20th Feb 2011 11:13 am
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
Hi Preacher, as per our phone call, it sounds like your starter motor has ceased.
I have PMed you Peter’s phone number.
Let us know how you get on.2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
20th Feb 2011 12:05 pm
GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
Hi Preacher,
Don't discard the old starter motor as it is likely to be repairable.Home of LLAMS, for LRs and Jeep GCs
20th Feb 2011 7:53 pm
Preacher
Member Since: 15 Aug 2009
Location: NE Victoria
Posts: 141
Drivesafe
Tim
my son Matt bought a duel battery kit from you in the last week or so cause mine was so good - he went for the 80 amp unit that suits his requirement. Talking with him tonight he was planning on just getting a 50 crank hr 2nd battery - Is this OK or is there a minimum he should be looking at for the Disco 3 V8
thanks
dj
1st Mar 2011 10:53 am
drivesafe
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
Hi Preacher, there is no minimum or maximum Ah limit to the size of battery(s) you can use.
I have one customer who charges just two 7 amp Sealed batteries, the type used in security systems. He uses the batteries to power two hand held spot lights which he carries with him while prawning.
At the other of the scale, I just fitted up a customers D4 with an SC80-LR and he has one LiFeP04 battery under the bonnet, another LiFeP04 refitted Thumper pack he keeps in the rear cargo area and two large AGMs in his camper trailer.
So no matter what is the size of your son’s total capacity of auxiliary/house batteries is, the SC80 will work for him.2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
