West Mountain Radio ISOpwr+ User manual
www.westmountainradio.com
1020 Spring City Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-522-6503
©2018 West Mountain Radio, All rights reserved. All trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
ISOpwr +
2
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the West Mountain Radio ISOpwr+. The ISOpwr+ will
isolate and permit charging of an auxiliary battery.
The ISOpwr+ is a fully automatic automotive ON-OFF switch that will permit
the vehicle’s charging system (i.e. alternator) to charge an auxiliary battery
and run mobile radio equipment. The ISOpwr+ will turn ON when the vehicle’s
alternator meets or exceeds the programmable minimum alternator threshold
voltage (default 14.0V DC). The ISOpwr+ turns OFF when the alternator is not
running and the vehicle’s battery has fallen below 13.4 volts.
Equipment connected to the ISOpwr+ will be powered solely from the auxiliary
battery when the vehicle’s ignition is OFF. When the vehicle’s ignition is ON,
connected equipment will be powered by a combination of the auxiliary battery,
the vehicle battery and the alternator.
Note: The vehicle’s battery will never be drained by leaving the equipment
turned on. The vehicle will always start.
The ISOpwr is ideal for use in all vehicles utilizing an auxiliary battery for diverse
purposes such as a radio command set up for ARES, RACES, FEMA, contest
VHF/UHF rover, moderately powered ham equipment, a re-charging station for
electric model airplanes, boats and cars, and for RV’s and campers.
The ISOpwr may be used without a battery to automatically turn a radio on
whenever the vehicle is running. The radio will turn o with a short delay after
the vehicle is stopped.
ISOpwr+ Features
• Properly charges a Lead-Acid (AGM or Gel) battery
Note: Will not work with Lithium batteries unless they are designed to be
lead-acid drop-in replacements (i.e. have protection circuitry to control
charging
• Operates at a considerable lower temperature than ISOpwr, thus
eliminating the large heat sink
• Continuous output current of up to 40A fully supported
• USB port for monitoring the system or to program specic parameters
• Complete LED status indicators of unit status
• PWRguard feature to shut o equipment when voltage is too high or too
low
Powerpole® is a registered trademark of Anderson Power Products, Inc.
Please read the following instructions
BEFORE installing the ISOpwr+
3
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
INTRODUCTION
Package Contents
• ISOpwr+ Unit
• Micro USB Cable
• 3 Retention Clips
• User’s Manual
INSTALLATION AND SET-UP
Choosing a Mounting Location
Pick a location that is central to the vehicle battery, auxiliary battery, as well
as the load or 12V distribution panel. Radios and many 12V devices draw
large amounts of current. All wires have resistance, so it is good practice to
keep them as short as possible and to use a larger gauge wire to minimize
voltage drop. The engine compartment of a vehicle is not a suitable location
for mounting.
The following may damage the unit:
• Supplying over 20V to any port
• Operating in an environment over 110 degrees F
• Drawing more than 40A on the output jack for more than a short time
WARNINGS
Auxiliary Battery Choices:
• When using an automotive battery, it should be mounted in the trunk or
under the hood. Do not place it in the passenger area of the vehicle.
These unsealed batteries will emit gases that are dangerous in a closed
area.
• If using a sealed lead acid battery, it can be placed internally. The AGM,
glass mat type is a good choice. It has a charging voltage that is similar
to the car’s alternator voltages.
• If using a GEL type battery, it also can be placed internally. However,
conrm that the alternator voltage does not exceed 14.5 volts (at 70
degrees F). This will ensure full life for the GEL cell.
Fuses:
A fuse must be placed in the wire at the battery terminals connecting to the
car’s battery. A 40 ampere fuse is recommended. This safety precaution
is necessary because the battery is a large power-storage device that, if
shorted, would release a massive amount of energy, sometimes causing the
battery to explode.
SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS
4
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
The ISOpwr+ can be installed in any orientation. It is recommend to use in a
cool dry location and preferably well ventilated. If placed in direct sunlight, it
will absorb heat and get unnecessarily hot.
The ISOpwr+ can be mounted using #8 hardware in the mounting holes.
Powerpole®Connectors
Powerpole®connectors can be installed by soldering or crimping. Crimping is
recommended for the best connection. Be sure to make good connections.
For detailed Powerpole®connector installation tips see RIGrunner support
pages at http://www.westmountainradio.com/ppinfo.
Power loss is minimized by using short cables of a high (lower number)
gauge (AWG) cable. Go to the following website:
www.westmountainradio.com/calculators to determine the trade-os with
cable loss. Select the “Find Cable Size” option and ll in the information.
The calculator will show the percentage of power loss in the cable. For
example, at 100W, a 6 foot 10 AWG cable will have a 2% loss; whereas a 16
AWG cable will have 8% loss.
Connecting the vehicle
The cable to the vehicle’s 12V battery should be 10 AWG and the length
should be as short as practical. Note that West Mountain Radio carries 3, 6
and 10 feet long supply cables, 10 AWG red and black insulated cable with
ring terminals on one end and Powerpole®on the other.
Be sure the RED Powerpole connects to the RED wire and connect to the
PLUS terminal on the vehicle battery. Similarly, make sure that the BLACK
Powerpole®connects to the BLACK wire and connect to the NEGATIVE
terminal on the battery. Check that the connections at the vehicle are well
tightened.
Vehicle Battery
Transceiver
Auxiliary Battery
5
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Plug this cable from the vehicle into the ISOpwr+ connector marked
VEHICLE. Conrm that the Powerpole®are plugged together securely, and
that the wire is straight at the connection point and is not under strain or bent
over.
Connecting the Battery
Note, any short in the battery wire, connector, or load could result in re
and battery explosion.
Choose a 12V battery with an ampere-hour rating according to your power
needs. Batteries should be sealed for safety reasons. Additional assistance
may be found:
http://www.westmountainradio.com/capacity_calculator.php
West Mountain Radio carries size 24 Gel and AGM batteries, as well as
smaller and larger batteries.
Large batteries have side, post, or threaded terminals. Deep cycle, marine,
AGM, and others usually have 3/8 inch and 5/16 inch studs. Therefore, it is
recommended to use a short 3 feet #10 wire, Powerpole®on one end, an
in-line fuse (40-50A), and ring terminals for the battery end. West Mountain
Radio carries a battery fuse kit, wire, and Powerpole®.
Connecting the Load or Power Strip
Output - Connectors are intended to power equipment. It may go to a single
piece of equipment or to a distribution panel (i.e. RIGrunner). Expect this
voltage to be about 0.05V lower than the input voltage from the vehicle or
voltage from the battery; whichever is higher.
Plug the wire from the power strip or equipment into the ISOpwr+ connector
marked OUT (output). Conrm that the Powerpole®are plugged together
securely, and that the wire is straight at the connection and is not under strain
or bent over.
Caution: Handle batteries with knowledge and appropriate care. Batteries
have dangerous chemicals that can seep out. Batteries can emit extremely
explosive hydrogen gas. It is recommended to use sealed lead acid
batteries which are much safer, but must be correctly handled with care.
NEVER make the last connection directly to a battery causing a spark
that could cause the battery to explode, sending debris and acid in all
directions. Batteries can get very hot when improperly charged or if a cell
gets shorted. Batteries will explode during charging or discharging for a
variety of reasons. Batteries are safe when handled properly.
INSTALLATION & SET-UP
6
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
System Checkout
After installation, verify the ISOpwr+ for proper operation.
1. When the engine is OFF, make sure the ISOpwr+ CHG LED is OFF.
2. Start the engine. After a few seconds, the CHG LED will illuminate
showing the vehicle is connected to the auxiliary battery and/or the radio
equipment. Make sure that the radio also turns on.
3. Turn OFF the engine. The CHG LED will stay on for a while because the
vehicle’s battery may be above the minimum alternator voltage (typically
12.6V DC). After a few minutes, the vehicle’s battery will have dropped to
less than the minimum alternator voltage and the ISOpwr+ will turn o.
NOTE: To rapidly drop the vehicle’s battery, switch on the car headlights.
ISOpwr+ OPERATION WITHOUT AUXILIARY BATTERY
The ISOpwr+ may be used without a battery. It will automatically turn ON
and apply the vehicle’s charging voltage to any load whenever the vehicle is
running. It will turn OFF with a small delay after the car is no longer running.
This is useful to prevent items from discharging the vehicle’s battery when
they are inadvertently left on.
To use without an auxiliary battery, connect the ISOpwr+ input (VEHICLE)
to the vehicle’s battery. Then plug the radio (or any item) into the ISOpwr+
output (OUT). The radio will be powered whenever the car is running.
Many times a radio is left on in a vehicle. However, the ISOpwr+ will
automatically turn o the equipment, thereby preventing a drained vehicle
battery.
LED Status Indicators
Output LED
Green Solid Output is active
Red Solid Output was shut o due to over/under voltage
Green Slow Blink Output is ON, but about to shut o due to over/
under voltage
Red Slow Blink Output is OFF, but about to turn on because
voltage is now good
Green Fast Blink USB port is connected
Vehicle LED
Green Solid Alternator is detected and connected to auxiliary
battery
O Alternator is not detected
7
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
USB Port
The USB port may be accessed by removing the plastic plug on the upper
left of the unit. A COM port terminal program may be used to see the data or
the WMR Device Diagnostics Utility program for RIGblasters may be used.
Drivers are not needed for Windows 10. If using an older version of Windows,
download and install the drivers before plugging the cable into the USB port
on the PC.
Download the FREE WMR Diagnostics Utility software at:
http://www.westmountainradio.com/diagnostics
When the USB port is connected to the ISOpwr+, the device status is shown.
This includes the voltages on each port, the charger status, and the charge
current. Press “S” to set the parameters.
USB Settable Parameters
Prompt Range Description Default
Enable
PWRguard Y or N Enable/Disable the over/under voltage
disconnect Y
High Trip 9V to 20V Turns output o when the voltage ex-
ceeds this voltage 15V
High Restart 9V to
High Trip
Turn output on when the voltage was
shut o due to over voltage and the volt-
age drops below this voltage
14.85V
Low Trip 7V to 20V Turns output o when the voltage drops
below this voltage 11V
Low Trip
Delay
Range: 1
to 65535
seconds
When voltage stays below the low trip
point for this length of time. The output
will shut o
5 sec
Low Restart Low Trip to
20V
Turns output on when the voltage was
shut o due to under voltage and the
voltage goes over this voltage
13V
Minimum
Alternator
Voltage
Low Trip to
High Trip
Connects the vehicle to the auxiliary
battery (and output) when the voltage is
over this voltage at the vehicle
14.0V
USB Monitor Example
Output = output ON or OFF
Charge = vehicle connected to auxiliary battery
( . . . ) = size of the charge or drain current
Car = vehicle voltage
Bat = battery voltage
Output=ON Charge=ON (Trickle) Car= 13.76V Bat=13.76V
Output=ON Charge=ON (Trickle) Car= 13.76V Bat=13.72V
Output=ON Charge=ON (Trickle) Car= 13.76V Bat=13.74V
Output=ON Charge=ON (Trickle) Car= 13.76V Bat=13.76V
SPECIFICATIONS
ISOpwr+ Warranty
ISOpwr+ is warranted against failure due to defects in workmanship or materials for one
year after the date of purchase from West Mountain Radio. Warranty does not cover
damage caused by abuse, accident, misuse, improper or abnormal usage, failure to follow
instructions, improper installation, alteration, lightning, or other incidence of excessive
voltage or current. If failure occurs within this period, return the ISOpwr+ accessory to
West Mountain Radio at your shipping expense. The device or accessory will be repaired
or replaced, at our option, without charge, and returned to you at our shipping expense.
Repaired or replaced items are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period.
You will be charged for repair or replacement of the ISOpwr+ or accessory made after the
expiration of the warranty period.
West Mountain Radio shall have no liability or responsibility to customer or any other person
or entity with respect to any liability, loss, or damage caused directly or indirectly by use
or performance of the products or arising out of any breach of this warranty, including,
but not limited to, any damages resulting from inconvenience, loss of time, data, property,
revenue, or profit, or any indirect, special incidental, or consequential damages, even if
West Mountain Radio has been advised of such damages.
Except as provided herein, West Mountain Radio makes no express warranties and any
implied warranties, including fitness for a particular purpose, are limited in duration to the
stated duration provided herein.
www.westmountainradio.com
1020 Spring City Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186
tel 262-522-6503 fax 262-522-6504
SPECIFICATIONS
Maximum Voltage: 20V
Maximum Current: 40A
Maximum Charge Current: 40A
Voltage Drop: 0.05V
Connectors: Anderson Powerpole®, 45A
Size: 4.5 x 3.4 x 1.4 in
Weight: 0.35 lbs
Mounting Holes: Four - 0.175 d, #8 hardware
ACCESSORIES
Powerpole® to Batt Ring Term with 30A Fuse Cable, 6ft #58257-1068
Table of contents
Other West Mountain Radio Switch manuals
