I'm upgrading my charging system by replacing my Hitachi alternator with 100 amp Balmar. I have a Catalina 320 w the 3 cylinder Yanmar. Balmar suggests increasing the size of charging wire from the altenator. This makes sense to me, but I'm having trouble tracing this wire from the alternator. I would think that it would run to my battery 1/2/all-switch common post so you could charge battery 1 or 2 or both. Looking at the basic wiring diagram in my Cat manual it seems to show that. However, the wire is not connected to the common post. Does anyone know where the charging wire from alternator hooks into the system? I sure would appreciate some help. Thanks in advance Bob Hawkins
Balmar install, heavier charging wire?
- Thread starter MtHawk
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Greetings Bob
I just upgraded the electrical system on my C350. After removing the floorboards I found good access for tracing and fishing the heavier wiring that was required. The owners manual had good wiring diagrams as well. Your name sounds familiar. Are you by any chance Dr. Bob Hawkins from Missoula?
I just upgraded the electrical system on my C350. After removing the floorboards I found good access for tracing and fishing the heavier wiring that was required. The owners manual had good wiring diagrams as well. Your name sounds familiar. Are you by any chance Dr. Bob Hawkins from Missoula?
Not the same Bob
No, I live in Great Falls. I didn't know there was another Bob Hawkins in Missoula. Did you run a heavier guage wire from the alternator to the battery select switch. My electrical diagrams aren't very good. I love the 350. She's a beautiful boat.
No, I live in Great Falls. I didn't know there was another Bob Hawkins in Missoula. Did you run a heavier guage wire from the alternator to the battery select switch. My electrical diagrams aren't very good. I love the 350. She's a beautiful boat.
Only you can trace the wiring on your boat
but: Alternator Output: The boats with only one 1-2-B switches are usually factory wired with the alternator output to the “C” post of the switch. This means that the switch was actually used for two purposes: (1) which battery bank(s) the alternator charge goes to when the engine is running; (2) which bank is chosen for use for DC power. Newer electrical systems route the alternator and charger outputs to a PDP (positive distribution post) and then to the house bank with a Combiner or Echo Charger (relays) to charge the start bank.
but: Alternator Output: The boats with only one 1-2-B switches are usually factory wired with the alternator output to the “C” post of the switch. This means that the switch was actually used for two purposes: (1) which battery bank(s) the alternator charge goes to when the engine is running; (2) which bank is chosen for use for DC power. Newer electrical systems route the alternator and charger outputs to a PDP (positive distribution post) and then to the house bank with a Combiner or Echo Charger (relays) to charge the start bank.
Alt to battery
My Alt ran to a 4 battery combiner and ran to 4 batterys .I removed the combiner and ran to the house bank that way you cant burn the Alt if the power is turned off.There are switches that stay hot thru 1, both ,2 but they go bad .You can take the alt out of the orig catalina loop and add a three step regulater.I used ample power systems ,there teck guys can help you with the hook up.My old wire are sniped at the alt and at the volt meater there is a 4 bank volt meater at the pannel .I think you should run to the battery. my cables are # twos and I crimped them with a nicro press .The wire crimper did not work very well John
My Alt ran to a 4 battery combiner and ran to 4 batterys .I removed the combiner and ran to the house bank that way you cant burn the Alt if the power is turned off.There are switches that stay hot thru 1, both ,2 but they go bad .You can take the alt out of the orig catalina loop and add a three step regulater.I used ample power systems ,there teck guys can help you with the hook up.My old wire are sniped at the alt and at the volt meater there is a 4 bank volt meater at the pannel .I think you should run to the battery. my cables are # twos and I crimped them with a nicro press .The wire crimper did not work very well John
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