Battery Combiner vs Battery Isolator?

Question:

I would like to install a battery management panel Blue Sea #8690. The installation diagram shows an ACR between the house and engine battery, and the #2 terminal going to the starter or alternator. I currently have a battery isolator between the two banks. Can an isolator be installed with this panel in place of the ACR, the #2 terminal going to the starter and the alternator connected to the isolator for this panel to operate properly including combining? - Bradford

Answer:

A battery combiner allows sharing of a charging voltage (battery charger, inverter/charger, alternator, solar, wind, etc) between batteries and a battery isolator is use to share an alternator charge to 2 or 3 battery banks. Some boats use either one of those and some other boaters use both. Basically it depends what you are trying to achieve.