Thanks cowboybob, just to clear up the misunderstanding though, my question was does it matter that it is isolated from ground with regard to using it as a stand alone 12v supply. In other words, the first part of the question cannot be separated from the second, it was not two questions but only 1 question. I know you have to isolate one in order to connect the 2 in series, I have done it hundreds of times. Maybe a better way to state my question is: Since the upper one is isolated, can it be used as a stand alone 12v supply even though it is isolated from ground? Sorry for the poor wording on my part. You answered my question in the last part of your post...any other opions, insights from anyone else? What are the problems with using it as a standalone 12v supply when it is floating?