200A Argo Fet 200-2 Battery Distributor - Victron Energy

Description

Similar to conventional diode splitters, FET splitters allow multiple batteries to be charged from a single alternator (or a single-output battery charger), without the need to connect the batteries to each other. Discharging the auxiliary battery, for example, will not discharge the starter battery

Unlike diode splitters, FET splitters have virtually no voltage loss. Voltage drops are less than 0.02 Volts at low currents, and on average 0.1 Volt at higher currents.

By using ARGO FET splitters, it is not necessary to also raise the alternator output voltage. It is still advisable to use short cables of sufficient effective cross-section.

Example:
If a current of 100 A flows through a cable of 50 mm2 effective cross-section (AWG 0) and 10 m long, the voltage drop across the cable will be 0.26 Volt. Similarly for a current of 50 A flowing through a cable of 10 mm2 effective cross-section (AWG 7) and 5 m long, the voltage drop will be 0.35 Volt!

Alternator power input

Some alternators require a DC voltage on the B+ terminal output to start charging.
Obviously, there will be DC when the alternator is connected directly to the battery. However, inserting a FET or Diode splitter will prevent any return of voltage/current from the batteries to the B+ terminal, and the alternator will not start.

The new Argofet splitters have a special current-limited power input that will power the B+ terminal when the engine Start/Stop switch is closed.