voltage regulator
- Thread starter jdgrnt66
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Does you alternator have a external regulator now?
If not, a alternator shop can disconnect your built in regulator and tap in a nice Balmar 3 stage regulator for you. A better decision that a 100amp alternator with a built in regulator. Can you buy a 100amp alternator with an external adjustable voltage regulator?
If not, a alternator shop can disconnect your built in regulator and tap in a nice Balmar 3 stage regulator for you. A better decision that a 100amp alternator with a built in regulator. Can you buy a 100amp alternator with an external adjustable voltage regulator?
Call and ask.
I got that same advise once, that a shop could do anything with an alternator. They even told me that themselves when I called. So I go over there with my Hitachi and the 3-stage wiring harness with instructions and diagram. They studied it for a minute and said it wouldn't work. I think that it would and they just did not know how. To shorten the story I now have a nice Balmar alternator with an Hitachi backup.
I got that same advise once, that a shop could do anything with an alternator. They even told me that themselves when I called. So I go over there with my Hitachi and the 3-stage wiring harness with instructions and diagram. They studied it for a minute and said it wouldn't work. I think that it would and they just did not know how. To shorten the story I now have a nice Balmar alternator with an Hitachi backup.
I strongly recommend that you DO NOT do that
The reason si ther size of the alternator, which is porbably only 55 amps, which will get maxed out and overheat from an external regulator trying to fill a reasonably depleted house bank.
jviss was right last week and the week before about his 125A alternator on a 400 ah bank - oversizing is not a bad idea.
From our C34 Projects page:
The stock alternators on most earlier Catalinas are 55 Amp units with internal automotive type regulators. These are designed to replace energy used in starting, support electrical loads while the engine is running and maintain or “float” the battery. They are not designed to, nor will they efficiently, recharge a large, discharged deep cycle battery. Thus even running the engine while cruising or at anchor will not recharge a discharged house battery in any reasonable length of time nor will it provide the electrical energy typically required for extended cruising.
For use on a cruising sailboat the alternator must rapidly recharge the house battery. For this it must be configured for an external, processor based three-stage “smart” regulator. The external regulator plugs into the alternator with the two-contact plug supplied with the regulator. These regulators provide a “bulk” charge for rapid recovery of the battery at a high alternator voltage of 14.1-14.3 Volts which maintains the charging current at 30-80 Amps depending upon battery condition. This continues until the battery has recovered to 75-80% capacity. They then cut back to a slightly lower voltage which results in an “acceptance” charging rate of 10-15 Amps, and then to a “float” voltage of 13.5-13.7 Volts which charges the battery at a low amperage rate when it has reached 90-95% capacity. These voltages are for flooded lead-acid batteries but are adjustable for other battery types (gel or AGM).
The reason si ther size of the alternator, which is porbably only 55 amps, which will get maxed out and overheat from an external regulator trying to fill a reasonably depleted house bank.
jviss was right last week and the week before about his 125A alternator on a 400 ah bank - oversizing is not a bad idea.
From our C34 Projects page:
The stock alternators on most earlier Catalinas are 55 Amp units with internal automotive type regulators. These are designed to replace energy used in starting, support electrical loads while the engine is running and maintain or “float” the battery. They are not designed to, nor will they efficiently, recharge a large, discharged deep cycle battery. Thus even running the engine while cruising or at anchor will not recharge a discharged house battery in any reasonable length of time nor will it provide the electrical energy typically required for extended cruising.
For use on a cruising sailboat the alternator must rapidly recharge the house battery. For this it must be configured for an external, processor based three-stage “smart” regulator. The external regulator plugs into the alternator with the two-contact plug supplied with the regulator. These regulators provide a “bulk” charge for rapid recovery of the battery at a high alternator voltage of 14.1-14.3 Volts which maintains the charging current at 30-80 Amps depending upon battery condition. This continues until the battery has recovered to 75-80% capacity. They then cut back to a slightly lower voltage which results in an “acceptance” charging rate of 10-15 Amps, and then to a “float” voltage of 13.5-13.7 Volts which charges the battery at a low amperage rate when it has reached 90-95% capacity. These voltages are for flooded lead-acid batteries but are adjustable for other battery types (gel or AGM).
Alternators
Any competent alternator shop can disconnect the internal regulator, and fix you right up. I agree with the high tech three stage alternators, but I just don't understand why people buy the Balmars or other so called high capacity marine alternators for mega bucks. Just take your old alternator down to your local auto supply, and match it up. You can go with the origional size, and in most cases upgrade to a higher capacity. I know for a fact that TonyB has a 125 amp. alternator on his boat, that is for an older Cadillac. The Hitachi on my boat, is straight from AutoZone. Not only are these things priced right, I paid less than 50 bucks for mine, but they have a lifetime guarantee. If it ever fails, just march into Auto Zone/NAPA and walk out with a new one. And if you get into an out of the way place, Auto Zone or Napa is a lot easier to find than a marine store.
Any competent alternator shop can disconnect the internal regulator, and fix you right up. I agree with the high tech three stage alternators, but I just don't understand why people buy the Balmars or other so called high capacity marine alternators for mega bucks. Just take your old alternator down to your local auto supply, and match it up. You can go with the origional size, and in most cases upgrade to a higher capacity. I know for a fact that TonyB has a 125 amp. alternator on his boat, that is for an older Cadillac. The Hitachi on my boat, is straight from AutoZone. Not only are these things priced right, I paid less than 50 bucks for mine, but they have a lifetime guarantee. If it ever fails, just march into Auto Zone/NAPA and walk out with a new one. And if you get into an out of the way place, Auto Zone or Napa is a lot easier to find than a marine store.
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