Alternator: The old fashion 90-100 for my Yanmar 4JH3BE or the new 70-110? Regulator: ARS-4 or MC-612 Max Charge? Please advise, thanks SteveKNG
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75 Easier on belts
I went with the 75A Balmar because it is fairly easily driven with one V-belt. Getting up near 100A and it puts more strain on the belt to prevent slipping. If the belt slips it will overheat the armature and can cause premature failure of the alternator. By the way, the 75A is the hot rating. Cold it bench tested at 135A so the belt still has to be tight but when it is cold it doesn't slip as easily as when it is hot. As the batteries charge the acceptance rate falls off so, frankly, the small alternator is really all most charging systems realistically need. I've had the Balmar alternator and ARS-II regulator now for around 10 years with no problem. I really like the fast charge when the batteries are low and it saves engine wear-and-tear when on the hook because of the three-step charging. Used #2 wires for hot and ground. No opinions on the other items you mentioned.
I went with the 75A Balmar because it is fairly easily driven with one V-belt. Getting up near 100A and it puts more strain on the belt to prevent slipping. If the belt slips it will overheat the armature and can cause premature failure of the alternator. By the way, the 75A is the hot rating. Cold it bench tested at 135A so the belt still has to be tight but when it is cold it doesn't slip as easily as when it is hot. As the batteries charge the acceptance rate falls off so, frankly, the small alternator is really all most charging systems realistically need. I've had the Balmar alternator and ARS-II regulator now for around 10 years with no problem. I really like the fast charge when the batteries are low and it saves engine wear-and-tear when on the hook because of the three-step charging. Used #2 wires for hot and ground. No opinions on the other items you mentioned.
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