Please be cautious with "Smart Combiners".

As many of you know, I was part of a boat electrics service group for many years. (This is where the coach was most used for 6 years.) While I like and have installed and replaced combiners as well as isolators, the combiners that are not rated at starting current (~400A for a 455) are easily damaged if left engaged when cranking. This can happen any time the demand combine capability is used even if the main engine battery is at a capable state of charge.

When a combiner fails, they often indicate that they are functioning properly, but in actual fact are not. The indicators are that it has engaged and there is any differential across the two main posts, it is toast. Repair is somewhere between impractical and impossible. Carry the KenB 1$ combiner in your kit just in case.

Matt