Victron Argodiode 100-3AC Battery Isolator 100A 3 Banks | ARG100301000R

The Victron Argodiode 100-3AC is a diode-based battery isolator that charges up to three separate battery banks from a single alternator or charger, without letting any bank discharge into another. It suits marine, vehicle and off-grid systems where separate banks need to stay isolated from each other while sharing one charging source.

Key features

• Battery isolator switch function, isolates up to three battery banks from one charging source and prevents cross-discharge between them.
• Current rating, 100A continuous across the three outputs (3AC configuration).
• Diode-based isolation, no active switching or control wiring needed, so installation is straightforward.
• Aluminium heatsink body, dissipates heat generated by the diode voltage drop during charging.
• Compact construction, suited to permanent fitting in vehicles, vessels and off-grid enclosures.

How it works

Schottky diodes split a single charging input across three battery outputs. Current flows from the charger or alternator to each bank, but the diodes block reverse flow, so a depleted bank cannot pull from a charged one. There's no control logic involved, and isolation holds regardless of load.

Diode isolators introduce a voltage drop of approximately 0.5V to 0.7V. To compensate, the alternator regulator or charger output should be set 0.5V to 0.7V higher than normal. The 100A rating is the total input current, distributed across the three banks according to their state of charge. The aluminium body must be mounted where it can dissipate heat properly, especially at sustained high charge currents.

Applications

• Marine installations with separate starter, domestic and bow thruster battery banks charged from one alternator.
• Motorhomes and campervans running split habitation and engine start batteries plus an auxiliary bank.
• Off-grid cabins or vehicles with multiple battery banks serving different loads that must stay isolated.
• Commercial vehicles with auxiliary equipment needing a dedicated bank independent of the starter battery.

Installation notes

Mount the Argodiode on a thermally conductive surface for heat dissipation. Cabling must be correctly rated for the maximum current, with appropriate fusing on the input feed. Account for the diode voltage drop when setting the charge source output voltage. Fitting should be done by a qualified electrician or marine electrical engineer familiar with multi-bank charging systems, following relevant wiring standards for the vessel.

What's included

• 1 x Victron Argodiode 100-3AC diode battery isolator