Showing posts with label MOSFET. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MOSFET. Show all posts

Monday, August 15, 2016

John A. High Amp Stereo Application

The 150 to 300 Amp Dual Rectifier option is ideal for high power mobile audio or competition applications.  Audio systems with multiple batteries require high current isolation from the main battery.  Unlike solenoids that wait to switch until the main battery voltage drops, or compromise with a large heat-sink type isolator with a huge voltage drop, with the low heat dissipation from the Perfect Switch isolator you get max current of a solenoid but without the current draw and the excess heat.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Randy N, Car Care Tow Pro, Lincoln City, OR   


Exceptional customer service in both the technical and sales department.
We trust this unit when in very remote areas on our recovery vehicles , where equipment failure is not an option. Exceeds all expectations
Ben B, Kinder-Morgan   

My POWER-GATE installation was very smooth. It is operating as advertised with no issues. I recently returned from a trip to Tucson, Arizona where the average temperature was 97 degrees in the shade. I spent a week on unimproved or non maintained roads. High vibration, high heat, high electrical demand. I had no issues. Great product. Complete install instructions. I have told several people to purchase.

Brunswick Commercial and Government Products

David A, Brunswick Commercial and Government Products   
Scott and his team at Perfect Switch have developed an excellent product and have provided us with wonderful customer service as well. Their POWER-GATE rectifier isolators can be custom made for any configuration and we are currently using them for numerous different engine and battery system configurations. I would highly recommend their product and company to others!!



Thursday, June 4, 2015

Monroe Truck Equipment

Andy H, Monroe Truck Equipment, Monroe, WI  

We were using Sure Power isolators for a relatively high demand electrical system. With just 8 prototypes in the field, we had 100% failure rate and less than desirable service from the manufacturer. I found POWER-GATE on-line in a Google search. It looked to be able to provide everything we needed. I called in and discussed the application. Service was prompt and professional. It is a considerably more expensive product than the Sure Power but we have been up and running for several months with no issues. Installation was easy and I would definitely recommend.


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Ed R., of Camden, AR  

I got a Dual Rectifier Power Gate for a competition audio system in my truck. Unlike most isolators, the almost non-existent voltage drop really gets the judges attention. It works flawlessly. Very well built and extremely compact. I would recommend these to anyone.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Trae Drose, University Laundry, Director of Fleet and Equipment


I've purchased 20+ isolators and bi-directional relays over the past 5 years for our fleet at University Laundry. These units have performed extremely well in various climates across the country. I really like how easy the units are to install. Once it's installed they don't require any maintenance or monitoring. We've been using the first isolators we purchased for 5 years and they are still running strong. Many of these units are mounted to the frames of our trucks and exposed to the elements. What is even better than the products is the customer support. Seriously, when the company owner replies to calls and emails, many times within minutes, I couldn't ask for more as far as customer support. I've recommended Perfect Switch to weekend adventurer trying to maintain batteries for camping and winching to the over the road driver powering everything on his rig 365 days a year.
Trae Drose
University Laundry
Director of Fleet and Equipment

Friday, May 2, 2014

John F. of Layton, UT

My install was a bit different but everything seems to be working great. The setup is an off-grid solar system with two battery banks of differing age. Because of the low voltage drop and high efficiency, the dual rectifier POWER-GATE was the best I could find. It took a little time to get all the components to work together, but Scott at Perfect Switch was more than willing to see it through. It is a good product, I do recommend it. John

Derek W. of Camas, WA

I just installed the POWER-GATE Dual Rectfier on my wakeboarding boat. I have two batteries and had issues in the past with the Perfect Pass cruise control (very voltage sensitive). Previously, I had a standard battery isolator but the voltage drop was too high. My Perfect Pass would freak out when I turned the heater on and my amps weren't getting all the power I wanted them to get.

The POWER-GATE was the perfect solution. After checking the voltage at each connection, I find that I lose less than .05 volts through this device. Outstanding! Installation and connections were a breeze. Another neat feature is the battery combine feature. I used to carry jumper cables just in case I needed to jump-start the starter battery from the Aux battery. With POWER-GATE, I installed a momentary switch on my dashboard that combines the batteries briefly if I ever need to jump start the boat.

All in all, this is a more pricey device, but it is the very best. That's why I bought it and that's why you should buy it. No more worrying or electrical issues to deal with, just fun on the water :)

Paul M., Snap-on Franchise Owner, Stratford, CT

I was admittedly skeptical about the value and cost of the POWER-GATE unit I purchased. While reasearching information on-line to be an informed consumer, I came upon the POWER-GATE site and the concept of their product was appealing. Though not a mechanic and certainly not an electronics expert, I do understand voltage drops and the fact that where there is heat, there is energy loss. The company, their product, and their integrity were an unknown to me so I was hesitant to spend the additional money for a POWER-GATE over the model that failed which I was replacing. 
Fortunately, my skepticism was overridden by the explanation of the design by speaking with a representative. Though still skeptical about the price, I ordered it anyways. After an easy installation, I was (and still am) blown away by the remarkable difference in performance of the unit and how it has saved me so much fuel idling to recharge the system during the day. 
Put your skepticism behind you. It would be much more expensive NOT to purchase a POWER-GATE and opt for a lesser design. There IS a difference and I would recommend this company any their product to anyone who has an auxiliary system for power. Higher efficiency, less heat, more voltage, better battery life and much, much lower operating costs.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Nick W. of Lees Summit, MO Submitted February 19, 2013

I needed separate power supply to inverter that controls electronics and laser jet printer within my work truck and didn't want it draining primary battery. The service at Perfect Switch is great. Called only a few times and even when i was installing they were most helpfull on phone all while i was physically installing.

Installation was so easy i was scared i was doing it wrong and that's why I called.

I would recommend POWER-GATE to everyone who needs superior switched power product.

Dan S. of Reno, NV Submitted February 24, 2013

I've had the Power-Gate dual rectifier installed on my '99 Toyota Land Cruiser since 2009 and it has performed perfectly and to expectation for my dual battery set-up.

I considered other isolator systems but liked the overall simplicity, small form factor and customer service promise from Perfect Switch. I did have a few questions during the install process which Scott answered very quickly.

I have and will continue to recommend the Power-Gate battery isolator systems based upon product performance and the commitment of Perfect Switch to the end-user.

Rivera Music & Sound, Tyrone Rivera of Cobb, CA submitted February 17, 2013

Power-Gate is the best Switching unit I have come across. It looks great in my custom Toyota Four Wheel Drive Custom 1999' Tocoma. I was easy to install. It is a true military grade switching unit . When it come to having a unit as important as a battery switching unit go with the BEST ... The Power Gate is the best by far..

James P. of Sylmar, CA Submitted February 8, 2013

P.S. I love you! Not the Beatles song but Power Switch I love you!
After major inquiries and web surfing into a battery charging station used in conjunction with my house battery, an odyssey, I have found the no maintenance reliability to be exceptional.
After a night of watching TV with the inverter I can start up and travel knowing that the battery will be fully charged when I stop for the night.
Installation was easy, I let my RV repair shop perform the installation along with other work I was having done. Quite a few of the staff asked me where I purchased the unit and I explained that every Class A and C unit they sell should have one installed. I also expressed my concern over old style battery charge splitters to be obsolete with the P.S. Power Gate. I hope they listened to my "endorsement" of your product. They did want me to get back to them after I've tested the Power Gate. I gave the unit a very high reccomendation.

Cellcom, Ron Wesoloski, Electrical Engineer, Submitted February 22, 2013


Hi, Perfect Switch, LLC:
My name is Ron Wesoloski, and I am the RF Engineer responsible for Microwave Communications and Renewable Energy Systems for Cellcom's wireless communications systems in northeast Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
We chose the POWER-GATE for one of our renewable energy cell sites located on an island.
This site needed to have 2 separate deep-cycle battery banks coupled together by a POWER-GATE device. This device allows charging of both battery banks and yet isolates the smaller of the 2 for critical loads, such as the Microwave Link and the Remote Monitoring/Control Systems at the site, from our headquarters in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The device installation went very smoothly, with a couple of mounting screws and 2 power terminals to connect. Since installing this device, the 24x7 Microwave Link and the Remote Monitoring/Control Systems have never gone down, even though a few times the larger battery bank has discharged to the point where the low-voltage-disconnect activated and shut off all of the other, larger loads that run 24x7 otherwise. It has operated without any issues whatsoever since it was installed back in 2009.
We would recommend the POWER-GATE to others using, or thinking of using, a dual-battery bank, which is especially important for renewable energy systems.
Respectfully Submitted,
-Ron Wesoloski

Lee B. of Waldport, Oregon Submitted May 2, 2013

This may be a bit wordy....the subject is both simple and complex simultaneously.

I chose to purchase the Power-Gate MosFET battery isolator even though the initial capital expense was easily three-fold that of the competition through normal auto parts suppliers. For me the choice was simple....superior power handling and longevity -vs- price alone. When the standard isolator fails in service, the failure mode is normally a short rather than an open circuit...this mode leaves the alternator and BOTH battery banks connected as if there were NO ISOLATOR in the loop. The normal result is then to see your alternator fail shortly thereafter without warning. One additional technical consideration that weighed heavily on my choice was the superior current handling (measured as a voltage-drop at the isolator) that the POWER-GATE provided....literally, the drop is too small to measure without especially sensitive test equipment. This means that the output from my alternator is properly delivered to the DC distribution network downstream without loss to heat generated by the battery isolator itself....this is why the POWER-GATE doesn't require a big multi-finned aluminum heat sink to survive. I did make one significant change to my downstream DC wiring for the chassis battery bank....I replaced the factory original #6 gauge cable run from the isolator to the starter post (where it ties directly to the chassis battery) with a high current #0 gauge multi-stranded cable with soldered lugs. Again, the result was to minimize resistance-induced heat and voltage drop losses.

Would I recommend this device to other RV installations? Absolutely!!! The tour I got of the facility where these are made completely convinced me of the quality and capability that the POWER-GATE provides....my unit was documented in testing prior to delivery as capable well beyond the 140 Amps my alternator provides (a close to 30% over-amperage capacity). The firmware programming (that's right, it's a smart device) that allows for exciter voltage to be delivered to the alternator on startup is brilliant....and still retains full protection against reverse current flow to protect the regulator circuitry within the alternator.

I found it simple to install, much more compact than the unit it replaced, and so well-engineered as to provide me with a sense of confidence that it will last longer than the vehicle itself.

So, if your RV utilizes a conventional (finned) battery isolator and you want to make your system better, this is a great alternative.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

In a world where everything is claimed to be "best," what does "best" really mean?

If one looks up the definition of "best," it's clear that being best is not only subjective, but also tough to quantify.  So when we say a POWER-GATE battery isolator is the best battery isolator on the market, are we just being arrogant?  Are we just taking the same marketing liberties that we as the consuming public see day in and day out?  The "best" pizza in town.  The "best" battery money can buy.  The "best" window washing company.  The concept of "best" has become so commonplace that we've lost touch with what "best" really means.

So how does one define or measure the "best" battery isolator if every manufacturer claims to offer the "best."  From our perspective, it's very simple:  to measure the efficiency of  isolators (also known as rectifiers), you need to know what the voltage drop is at a given current level.  Many companies try to impress buyers by offering a zero or no-voltage-drop isolator.  This of course defies the laws of physics, but they hope the buyer doesn't know that.

At very low current levels, the voltage drop through any isolator will be very low.  But what is the voltage drop at 100 amps?  200 amps? or 300 amps?  The voltage drop at these elevated current levels is what truly makes POWER-GATE "best."  And we say that not because we are arrogant, it's because the numbers don't lie.

Perfect Switch, LLC owns the patent on a unique assembly process where the use of arrayed MOSFET's yields the absolute lowest resistance from the input to the output of a device. The resistance is so insignificant that heat sinking and airflow are not necessary.  So as you compare devices for your DC power management needs, if it looks like a giant heat sink, it does so for a reason....to dissipate heat.  If it were a "zero voltage drop" device, it would dissipate no heat and if it dissipates no heat, why does it look like a giant heat sink?  If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, you guessed it....it's a duck.

We've scoured the earth looking for competing technologies and we can say with absolute certainty that when you buy a POWER-GATE battery isolator, or you add a POWER-GATE solid state relay to your electrical system, you are buying the "best" that technology has to offer.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

The ideal diode...how the POWER-GATE battery isolator became the best.

H. Frank Fogleman is a DC power management expert and the inventor of the internationally patented POWER-GATE arrayed MOSFET technology.  He resides in Rancho Santa Fe, California.




When George Westinghouse set up AC power transmission systems in America, he was primarily concerned with providing power to remote locations for lighting homes without using gas or kerosene lamps. That was going well, but people wanted to use the available power to recharge batteries powering radios and vehicles. Yes, there was the Baker electric car like the one that President Monroe had introduced to the White House; one catch, to convert the AC to DC, a rectifier was needed….. a rectifier to conduct during the positive part of the line voltage and block during the negative half of each cycle, making it suitable for recharging storage batteries.

The first wide-spread use of AC rectification was the use of mercury vapor tubes to produce Direct Current for the “Third rail” excitation for railways. The mercury vapor rectifier soon became deployed in room-sized units that remained in service for decades. There were much smaller units used in photography and metal treating facilities.              

Next came copper-oxide and selenium rectifiers for lower current applications
in the 1950’s.  Germanium diodes were used for low voltage ( 40 to 100 ) applications which only required current capacity in the fractional ampere range.

Then silicon diodes became available offering much higher blocking voltage ratings with a substantial increase in current capacity. The down-side was (and still is) the forward voltage drop which results in high heat dissipation in multi-amp applications. They are still in wide-spread use today mounted on extremely large heat sinks and often require additional air cooling fans. The Schottky diode hit the market in the late eighties with a lower voltage drop but a jump in cost and reduction in current capability.

At the end of the century, MOSFET rectifiers were introduced, but price and other factors prevented them from becoming the success developers envisioned.  That was when I found a need for a superior rectifier in DC power management applications. 

Looking at what was commercially available, I could see that the engineers using MOSFETS didn’t have thermodynamic experience.  At this point, a large array of MOSFETS was successfully engineered and the POWER-GATE concept was born. Patents were issued in countries around the world and Perfect Switch, LLC set out to market the arrayed MOSFET devices in the form of rectifiers, relays, and OR’ing devices. POWER-GATE devices are smaller, lighter, and more efficient than any other competing technology.  Early adopters of this new technology include tough vehicular applications including military and fleet utility, aircraft, marine, and communications markets.