Reco's for external regulators

[John61CT]

I've got an old Balmar 94-160A I picked up for $120 (tell me a good deal please!) on the way via slow boat.

Has dual outputs, but no regulator included, so I'm looking for something good value, to at least allow me to test it.

I see used ARS-4s go used for <$80?

All suggestions and comments welcome...

I may end up using a separate, more customizable output controller/charger, so I don't think I'll invest yet in a high-end Balmar like MaxCharge unless an eBay bargain turns up.

Or would it be possible to set up a good (e.g. Sterling) DC-DC charger, to be direct fed right off the *raw unregulated* output?

Right now I'll just be playing & learning, so long as I don't break the alt or kill myself, pointers to DIY cookbooks would be most welcome.

Edit: Also could pick up a Balmar mc-612 max charge for $150 shipped.

 

[Stu Jackson]

This may giver you some info to make an informed decision:

Differences between Balmar MC-614 and ARS-5 Regulators 101

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=160744&#post1102540
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1053410&highlight=ars-5

 

[John61CT]

Thanks, but those newer models are really on the too-spendy side for me, the MC-612 I can get for $150 - have to decide before Monday - is actually toward the high end of my current budget.

I just missed an ARS-4 for $60 8-(

I'm looking for something cheap *just to verify the alt actually works* while I'm still in the return period.

This alt won't be "in production" for quite a while, I'm just setting it up for now on a bench *for learning/testing purposes* with a motor, a couple old 6v golf carts and test/monitoring instruments.

Plus, as I will (in the eventual production system) be charging from at least four different sources, I'm investigating the possibility of spending the "charging intelligence" money on something closer to the battery bank, accepting "dumb" raw output from the alts, panels etc, rather than buying redundant smart controllers for each source.

For the sake of argument, assume one of these will be in charge of the house bank

http://sterling-power.com/collections/all/battery-to-battery-charger

So I'm looking for "simple & reliable" at a reasonable price, the *minimum required to get the alt working*, rather than something designed to be "ideal" for the job of charging.

Unless I find an MC-614 on eBay for cheap, then I'd jump all over that, but somehow I doubt I'll be that lucky. . .

 

[John61CT]

Transpo is quality?

Their "Specialty Regulator" 911-02R

has adjustable voltage (14-20V) via remote-mount potentiometer

15.0 Vset, B-Circuit (whatever that is)

and "Compatible with 8A rotors"

So, compatible with my Balmar Alt?

Seems private-labeled all over the net, including by Excessive Amperage and Mechman, who apparently are well-respected (EA more than MM) makers of custom HO Alts

https://www.google.com/search?q=excessive+amperage+external+regulator

$70-100

--------
Used On: EMV, Industrial, Limo, Marine, Police Car, RV, Taxi Applications

Terminal ID: IGN-NEG-FLD

Self current limiting to protect against intermittent short circuit

Load dump protection against abrupt full load to no load

Extra filter networks to protect against voltage spikes

Reverse polarity protection

Epoxy encapsulated to protect against moisture and vibration

Positive or negative ground system compatibility

All connections to external terminal

All silicon transistor design complies with federal specifications

Certified burn-in cycle qualified

 

[Mark Maulden]

You just want to know if the alt works? Take it to a rebuild shop. They"ll probly test it for free..

 

[John61CT]

Good to know, thanks!

But I would still like to learn in depth, and nothing beats hands-on yourself when you're poor and ignorant

 

[John61CT]

Anyone know the difference(s) between Leece-Neville labelled vs original Balmar MC-614, or how I can get any docs?

Picked up two! dirt cheap on eBay.

Also, any ideas who actually made my Balmar 94-160? Prestolite L-N?

It just arrived UPS, turned its box into a mushy basketball but seems OK, don't see any codes marked other than "9354" and S/N on the plate.

 

[gettinthere]

As a back up, I have a "Ford" external voltage regulator I bought at an alternator shop for about $30. It has no settings to control and I cant remember what the fixed settings are. It has the same pin setup as my Balmar regulator. Its mounted next to the Balmar and I can swap out immediately.

I would not buy used voltage regulators. Im on my second ARS5. The first one was originally installed in the engine room. According to Balmar, the hot/cold expansion/contraction cycle created a situation where when the regulator was cold, it worked fine but when it heated up it quit. How can you easily tell if a used regulator has some kind of intermittent problem like this???

 

[John61CT]

Thanks for responding, and yes fleaBay's a roll of the dice I know.

If they both test out OK on the bench, at least I have a spare. If I have to send one back, then I need another low-end spare.

Please post that Ford model #, what I was asking for originally.

Both MC-614s together were 25% of what a new one goes for, waiting to save up to afford that would have been a two-month delay, skimping on food for the kids.

And as above, I would prefer a "good enough dumb" VR brand-new, invest the $ for charging smarts in something I can use off multiple charging sources like a B2B.

Just haven't found out yet how to judge compatibility.

Factors I've identified so far in googling:

12v (duh)
negative Ground
single Field terminal (?)
up to X amps of Field current
B-Circuit (?)

self-exciting, single wire vs other kinds of excitement (? need more of that in my life anyway

On my way this morning with my eBay finds down to the one real Alt shop (rebuilds in house) in a 50- mile radius, so I hope he's helpful and honest. . .

 

[gettinthere]

could not see a model number. looks like the brand is Transpo.
The alternator shop had several versions in stock and was able to tell me whats what on each one. Nine years ago!

 

[John61CT]

Yes, Transpo seems to be "the brand" for the "special" and generic/universal VRs, often rebranded.

I'll post some examples when I get a chance maybe you'll recognize from a photo.

I'm on an intensive sleepaway course this weekend and kids home Monday, so might be after that.

The Balmar large-case amp (94-160) checked out OK at the alt shop (yay!), he reckons Balmar modded a Ford truck alt, has a big two-ear (saddle? J180? style mount) rather than single-foot (Deco style?).

But he says he'll need more time to check out the two Leece-Neville MC-614s, I found the "tech bulletin" for it, no mention of the magnetic programming switch?

He's a crufty old car guy, never heard of Balmar? and seemed a bit kerfuffled by my talk of programmability by battery type, temp/volt sensor options, hope I didn't put him off.

I guess once I get it rigged to a motor, I can check the "fancy" stuff out myself if the meter's aren't too dear, but I'll need help with belts, figuring pulley ratios and a compact mounting scheme. . .