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BATTERY ISOLATORS

Battery isolators

A battery isolator is a specialized device that allows your vehicle’s alternator to charge two or more batteries simultaneously while keeping them electrically isolated from each other when the engine is off.

What is a Battery Isolator and Why Do You Need One?

Under the XS Power and Lithium Pros umbrella, we offer specialized, high-current solutions designed to handle the rigors of high-performance audio, marine, and overland systems. The IKXS4 and IKXS8 Smart Battery Isolators represent the latest in automated power management, ensuring your primary starting battery is always protected.

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Mixing AGM and Lithium (LFP) Batteries

The most critical use case for an isolator today is the Hybrid Power System. Because an XS Power AGM starter battery and a Lithium Pros house battery have different resting voltages and charging requirements, they shouldn’t be directly connected in parallel.

The Benefit: An isolator ensures your alternator charges both, but prevents the higher-voltage lithium battery from "back-feeding" and draining into the lower-voltage AGM battery when the vehicle is parked.

Show Cars & High-Output Audio

Show cars often feature massive lighting displays, motorized components, and high-wattage audio systems that draw power even when the engine is off.

The Benefit: By using an isolator, you can run all your accessories off a secondary battery. If you accidentally drain that battery while showing off your build, the primary XS Power starting battery remains fully charged, ensuring your car starts every time.

Overland Rigs & Campers

Overlanders rely on a "Starter" battery for the engine and a "House" battery for the fridge, lights, and heaters.

The Benefit: The isolator ensures that your off-grid living doesn't compromise your ability to get home. It prioritizes charging the starter battery first before sending excess current to the house battery.
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Smart Isolators

The IKXS series utilizes advanced voltage-sensing technology to automate the connection between your starting battery and your auxiliary Lithium Pros or XS Power secondary battery.

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Built in

Priority Charging Logic: The IKXS isolator prioritizes your starting battery. It only engages to charge the auxiliary battery once the primary battery reaches 13.2V. If the voltage drops below 12.8V (indicating the engine is off), the isolator automatically disengages.

Zero Voltage Drop: Unlike traditional diode-based isolators that cause a voltage loss, the IKXS series uses high-efficiency internal switching to ensure your secondary battery receives the full output of the alternator.

Ruggedized Reliability: Featuring a fully waterproof (IP65) housing and a wide operating temperature range (-22°F to 221°F), these isolators are built to thrive in engine bays, bilges, or off-road chassis mounts.

Emergency "Start Assist" Feature: Both models feature an optional manual override. By connecting the "Start Assist" circuit to a momentary switch, you can manually link both batteries to jump-start your vehicle if the primary battery is ever accidentally depleted.

IKXS4 Battery Isolator

Output: 140A
Rated for 140 Amps, ideal for standard dual-battery setups in overland rigs, campers, and mid-sized audio systems.

WORKS WITH

L-Series

M-Series

N-Series

$99

Learn more →

IKXS8 Battery Isolator

Output: 200A
A heavy-duty solution rated for 200 Amps, specifically designed for high-output alternators and massive current draws found in show cars and tournament boats.

WORKS WITH

L-Series

M-Series

N-Series

$99

Learn more →

XS Power IKXS Smart Isolators

IKXS4 vs. IKXS8

Property

IKXS4

IKXS8

Rating

140 Amps

200 Amps

Ideal for

Overland rigs, campers, mid-sized audio

Show cars, tournament boats

Engages / disengages

13.2V / 12.8V

13.2V / 12.8V

Housing

IP65 waterproof

IP65 waterproof

Operating range

-22°F to 221°F

-22°F to 221°F

Start Assist

Optional manual override

Optional manual override

The Hybrid Setup

Mixing AGM and Lithium

The IKXS series is a vital tool when running an XS Power AGM starter and a Lithium Pros LiFePO4 house battery. By automatically disconnecting the batteries when the engine is off, the IKXS prevents the different resting voltages of the two chemistries from "fighting" each other. This stops the higher-voltage lithium battery from discharging into the lower-voltage AGM, extending the lifespan of both.

Real-World Scenarios: Isolators in Action

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Scenario A (The Tournament Angler)

You use an XS Power AGM to crank your Mercury outboard and a Lithium Pros M-Series for your graphs. An isolator ensures your 15" screens don't drain your cranking battery while you're focused on the fish.

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Scenario B (The Car Hauler)

Your truck runs a standard battery, but your trailer has a Lithium Pros L-Series to run the winch. An isolator allows your truck to charge the trailer battery while you drive, without the trailer winch draining your truck's battery during a heavy pull.

Frequently asked

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Why do I need a battery isolator for my car or boat?

A battery isolator is essential for multi-battery systems to prevent a secondary accessory battery from draining the primary starting battery. It is particularly important when mixing AGM and Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries, as it manages the different resting voltages and charging profiles. Benefits include guaranteed engine starting, protection for high-output audio systems, and optimized charging for overland house batteries. Using an isolator from XS Power or Lithium Pros ensures safe, efficient power distribution for show cars, RVs, and marine vessels.

What is a battery isolator?

A battery isolator is a specialized device that allows your vehicle’s alternator to charge two or more batteries simultaneously while keeping them electrically isolated from each other when the engine is off.

Can I wire an AGM and a lithium battery in parallel?

Because an XS Power AGM starter battery and a Lithium Pros house battery have different resting voltages and charging requirements, they shouldn’t be directly connected in parallel.

When does the IKXS isolator engage?

The IKXS isolator prioritizes your starting battery. It only engages to charge the auxiliary battery once the primary battery reaches 13.2V. If the voltage drops below 12.8V (indicating the engine is off), the isolator automatically disengages.

Will the isolator cause a voltage drop?

Unlike traditional diode-based isolators that cause a voltage loss, the IKXS series uses high-efficiency internal switching to ensure your secondary battery receives the full output of the alternator.

Should I choose the IKXS4 or the IKXS8?

IKXS4: Rated for 140 Amps, ideal for standard dual-battery setups in overland rigs, campers, and mid-sized audio systems. IKXS8: A heavy-duty solution rated for 200 Amps, specifically designed for high-output alternators and massive current draws found in show cars and tournament boats.

Can I jump-start from my auxiliary battery?

Both models feature an optional manual override. By connecting the "Start Assist" circuit to a momentary switch, you can manually link both batteries to jump-start your vehicle if the primary battery is ever accidentally depleted.

Intelligent power management

Your primary starting battery, always protected.

Using an isolator from XS Power or Lithium Pros ensures safe, efficient power distribution for show cars, RVs, and marine vessels.