Questions (FAQ's) for IBS-DBS and DBi-DBS Dual Battery Systems

All the information listed below is correct when the batteries are in operational order this excludes damaged batteries (batteries with shortened cells, or even dry batteries).

In IBS Dual Battery System terms this means the low battery alarm on the IBS monitors shows no regular alarms.

1. Is during the running of the engine the loading of the batteries done automatically?
   Yes! The IBS Dual Battery System is controlling the connection and the separation of the batteries automatically. The driver hasn't to do anything in respect of the batteries! 
   
   
2. Is it possible to use the second battery for assistance to the start of the engine?
   Yes! The “Jump starting cable” hasn't any use in such a vehicle with difficulties to start because a built in dual battery system from IBS takes care. Hit only the Link-Switch and both batteries are linked together for the start of the engine!
   
   
3. Is it possible to use different sizes and types of batteries?
   Yes! By the separation of the different batteries after switching off the vehicle the batteries do not influence each other negatively.
4. But what type of battery do I need?
   Different types of batteries: Liquid, Gel, Dry or AGM can be used mixed in such a battery system.
5. Is the IBS-Dual-Battery-System supporting the use of an electrical Winch?
    Yes! The winch has to be connected to the starter battery. If you hit the LINK Switch the auxiliary battery and the alternator will supply together the power to the winch. The winch has a higher supply tension and the winch motor will be prevented from overcharging.
   
   
6. Where should the additional user appliances be connected?
   Additional user appliances must be connected to the auxiliary battery. Possible appliances are: Freezers, Refrigerators, GPS, Lightning for inside or outside, Radio devices, compressors, water-pump, etc. Even the car radio and the cigarette lighter may be hooked to the auxiliary battery.
   
   
7. Which cable size has to be used between the batteries?
   In campers cables of 16 mm² or 25 mm² should be used. For 4WD's 25 mm² and with winches 35 mm² should be used. In vehicles for rally competition a section to 50 mm² may be useful.
   
   
8. How can a battery system be optimised?
   A direct connection of the minus pole of both batteries by a copper cable will improve the efficiency of the battery system. The steel frame of the body of the vehicle isn't good enough as connector. 
   
   
9. Is the IBS Dual Battery System disturbed by electronic spikes or climate?
   No! The IBS Dual Battery Systems are in use all over the world and are subjected to extreme climate changes, these range from, very high temperature differences of heat and serious cold to humidity and or high vibrations. The IBS-Systems are built to survive those extreme conditions. Modern automatic production, allow us to guarantee best quality!
   

   The IBS Dual Battery Systems are delivered wit a 5 years warranty.

10. Who is using the IBS-System?
    Police, Ambulance; emergency vehicles, Rally-sport and Rally-support, Fire brigade, 4WD, in Trucks and also Military systems.
    
    
11. Why the IBS Dual Battery System has been developed?
    In the Great Victorian Desert of Australia I was stopped 10 years ago in the middle of the desert in my 60er LandCruiser because of 2 empty batteries. The cause was a broken alternator. My Australian dual battery system had no indication of the loading of my batteries. The system missed also the simple features of the connection of the batteries and other basic features. By the use of all the available cables I was able to restart my engine after working on the system for several hours. I was then able to continue my expedition.
    
    
12. Are the IBS Dual Battery Systems only available for 12V batteries?
    No! New IBS Dual Battery Systems are available in both 12V and 24V versions!

1. A fully charged and an empty battery are set in parallel, a massive current flows from the good battery into the discharged battery is generated?
   Firstly real charge a battery starts to accept above 13V. In both batteries there are inner resistances what are in the sum at least 0.1 ohms (resistance of the good battery, the discharged battery and wiring). A voltage difference of 0.6V divided by 0.1 ohms creates a current of roughly 6 amps. Massive current flows if a short circuit is across the poles 12.5V / 0.025 ohms is already 500A.
   
   
2. In the set up of an IBS Dual Battery Systems a good and a discharged battery are linked in parallel for a “linked” start, the discharged battery immediately discharges also the good battery?
   This is correct that if a good and discharged battery are wired in parallel for a long time, the discharged battery starts to discharge the good battery, but this happens over hours or even days. In short term only the new system voltage will be somewhere between the voltage from the two batteries before they have been linked. The reserve capacity is still available and can be used for a proper link start. For this kind of situation it is recommended to have the optionally available RBM (Relay Booster Module) installed, that guaranties to have access to the auxiliary battery capacity if the starter battery has failed totally.
3. The alternator only sees the well charged starter battery and does not properly charge the discharged auxiliary battery?
   The alternator is a constant voltage charging device with temperature compensation and delivers up to its maximum rating charge current. The IBS Dual Battery System links the batteries as soon the charge voltage exceeds 13.1V this happens within a few seconds up to 3 minutes depending on the car. When the batteries are linked, the current flows according to the internal resistance of the batteries. The starter battery, in most cases, only takes a little current and the rest of the alternator capacity is available to recharge the auxiliary battery and to run auxiliary electrics and electronics.
   
   
4. A bad starter battery gets no support from a discharged auxiliary battery in a link start situation?
   To get an engine started it requires most of the time just the initial kick. If the starter battery won't be able to deliver the required cranking amps the linked in auxiliary battery is usually able to add the required additional energy to get the engine going. In these circumstances it is important the IBS Dual Battery System has been installed with recommended heavy duty wiring (25mm2) to avoid unwanted resistance between the batteries. In a cold winter weather it helps to start the car with the batteries linked.
   
   
5. In link start the IBS relay is going to be destroyed?
   The IBS Dual Battery System is supplied with the new IBS200Amp high performance relay with dual bond technology. This offers a 200Amp continuous and 500Amp surge current. Alternator and starter motor are always wired to the starter battery, on this battery there is also the point of lowest resistance. In the case of a link start, the auxiliary battery only tops up what the starter battery can not supply. The cross current even under extreme conditions is not exceeding 250A.
   
   
6. Surly in winch applications the IBS relay is going to be destroyed?
   The IBS Dual Battery System set up requires the installation of the electric winch on the starter battery (even if your best mate tells you different). The system follows the load sharing rules between the running alternator, the starter battery and the manually linked in auxiliary battery and the electric winch in operation, the relay is designed to handle this application without restrictions. In any case an electrical winch is the heaviest possible load and the car manufacturer has never designed the car electrics for this kind of load. If using the winch therefore it is always recommended to have the engine running and link the auxiliary battery in (two manual link modes are available: 30mins and 180mins, both with automatic reset). If not being in a competition or urgent situation stop the winch action from time to time to let the system recover or use a snatch block with a double line pull to half the stress on all components.
   
   
7. It’s a new system and there is no experience if it handles my needs. Can I trust it?
   The IBS Dual Battery System is already for 12 years worldwide on the market. The IBS D. S. has been continuously improved and developed. Thousands of applications are being used under extreme conditions such as in Siberia (Russia) or the Australian Outback. Military services, police forces and 4WDing industry use it around the globe. IBS offers 5 years warranty on the system. The system is simple to use and install but uses the latest technology such as RISK microprocessors and specially developed high performance relay switching technology. The systems are manufactured in Switzerland with latest robot assembling machinery.
   
   Beat Wyss, IBS Intelligent Battery System GmbH