BALMAR ALTERNATOR/ASR-4 problem

Aug 15, 2013
5
Hunter 30 Kingston
I have a balmar 100 amp alternator with an ASR-4 regulator. The alternator, sometimes work, sometimes does. I did check my connections and they seemed all right (I have cleaned them and put electrical grease. I did tighten the alternator belt. And for a while, I thought that the problem was solved. However, upon checking the lights of the ASR-4, I noticed that they would going through the regular cycle, up to the bulk stage, and then oops, no more light. I did shut down the engine, and restarted, and it worked sometimes yes and sometimes no with the lights sometimes showing up, and sometimes no. I suspected that the switch cable might be at issue but I have not found any sign of a bad connection there. Any suggestions?
 
Jul 23, 2009
889
Beneteau 31 Oceanis Grand Lake, Oklahoma
I would try putting a voltmeter across the brown wire & ground when the lights go off. It should have 12 volts on it any time the engine is switched on.
What is the battery voltage when the lights go off?
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,018
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
All of the Balmar regulators have wonderful Troubleshooting sections in their manuals., all of which are easily accessed from their website: www.balmar.net

It sounds like you have a power to the regulator problem.
 
May 24, 2004
7,164
CC 30 South Florida
Electrical problems are usually intermittent. Like Stu recommends avail yourself of the troubleshooting guides from Balmar.
 
Aug 15, 2013
5
Hunter 30 Kingston
Thank you. I did found the ASR-4 manual, and performed the trouble shooting tests they recommended. The regulator was at fault. I did buy the newer ASR-5 regulator, and everything is working fine again. Thank you for your suggestions