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Beta Marine Repower Solutions -> Beta Marine Engines -> Balmar voltage regulator dual work?
Post Info TOPIC: Balmar voltage regulator dual work?
egantsea


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Balmar voltage regulator dual work?
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Hi,

 We have a Beat 38hp motor with dual 100 amp alternators that were factory installed.

We would like to use a smart controller.

 At present we have four 6 volt wet batteries in series and parallel for 420 amp hours I believe.

We have a12 volt AGM starting battery.

 We will be changing the wet cells to AGM for the house bank.

So all our batteries will be AGM.

We would like to use the Balmar Max Charge MC-614 Voltage Regulator so we can take advantage of having dual alternators.

Will this product  work for us and would we want to use the wiring harness as it is an option.

http://www.downwindmarine.com/Balmar-Max-Charge-MC-614-Voltage-Regulators-p-90892609.html

The product requires a type P alternators.

 710950.jpg

BALMAR

12-Volt Max Charge Multi-Stage Alternator Regulators

Available in models with or without Wiring Harness
(H-model includes a 54" wiring harness.)

Respsond to battery conditions faster and more efficiently than ever before.

  • Faster processor speeds
  • Improved user interface
  • Easier programming
  • Simplified wiring


The Balmar Max Charge MC-614 is the latest generation of smart, multi-stage Balmar Max Charge voltage regulators. It is designed to provide precise voltage control for Balmar high-output 12-volt alternators and other externally regulated P-type alternators. The MC-614 features seven user-selectable programs for standard and deep-cycle flooded, gel, AGM, and spiral wound (Optima) batteries. It can be used to control dual alternators on a single engine, or on twin engines when used with the Centerfielder. In addition, the regulator features a universal default program that's safe for most battery types, as well as a program that's designed for use in vessels utilizing voltage sensitive halogen equipment.

In addition to the user selectable preset programs, the MC-614 features a wealth of advanced programming modes which make it possible to tailor charging to a wide variety of environments. When used in conjunction with optional MC-TS-A and MC-TS-B alternator and battery temperature sensors, the MC-614 has the ability to monitor and respond to a range of ambient temperature conditions, including reduction or discontinuation of charging voltages, should a catastrophic over-temperature condition occur at the alternator or the batteries. The optional temperature sensors are also available and sold separately - SKU# 892610.

Features:

  • Intelligent multi-stage regulation for 12-volt use
  • Can be used to drive twin alternator installations
  • For use with P-type externally regulated alternators
  • Digital numeric LED display
  • Epoxy-encapsulated circuitry
  • Dash lamp and auxiliary lamp terminals
  • Small engine mode
  • Magnetic programming tool included
  • Capable of providing an equalization charge for battery conditioning

 Thanks

Chip



-- Edited by egantsea on Thursday 12th of July 2012 11:22:17 AM



-- Edited by egantsea on Thursday 12th of July 2012 11:26:04 AM

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Stanley


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I would recommend contacting Balmar directly. They are the specialists in this field and they know their products better than anyone else.

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egantsea


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Hi,

 I have contacted Dale at Balmar and he has suggested we do the following.

Can you tell us if this is something we can do or have done and how?

"I do not see a reason that you cannot connect both alternators to the same battery bank then use our DDC 12/24 Digital Duo Charge to charge the start battery. However I would suggest that you contact the Alternator Manufacture to see if they have a problem with paralleling the alternators and removing the internal regulator. I assume Stanley can answer some of those questions."

Thanks,

Chip



-- Edited by egantsea on Friday 20th of July 2012 01:30:06 PM

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Stanley


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Beta Marine can supply a brush box for these alternators which eliminates the regulator. There is a small charge for these. Contact you dealer and he can supply them to you. The Beta part number for the brush box for the 100 amp alternator is 200-02684. This is an Iskra part for the Iskra alternator. As long as the wiring is good, there should be no problem with paralleling the alternators.

Please remember that this is basically modifying the alternators and thus you will now assume the warranty on them.
Regards,
Stanley

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egantsea


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OK thanks.

Now what would control the alternators charging the house batteries if the controllers inside the alternators are by-passed? Would that be the brush boxes?



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egantsea


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OK we are looking at this as our solution.

Diode battery isolator - NewMar Battery Isolators & Integrator

and

NewMar Battery Integrator

 

 

 

 



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Stanley


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The brush boxes replace the internal regulators so that you can use an external regulator like the Balmar that you are asking about.

It sounds like you are overthinking your electrical system.



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Mike Moore


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There is no problem putting two alternators toegther with one regulator the field current to each will depend upon the internal resistance of the field circuit. or two alternators with separate regulators and run together. You can also put different size alternators togehter. The diodes will block backflow of current in the lo alternator with no problem. Stay away from battery isolators they should never be used in a cruising boat and they block the sensing line to the batteries they are on, if it goes to the other bank.

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egantsea


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We have been looking at lots of solutions but none seem any good. The only one that is good is complicated and expensive.

The NewMar Battery Isolators & Integrator will not work with a Self-Exciting Alternator. Ours (Beta) are Self-Exciting.

We called about the brush boxes but that is only the beginning. There is a lot more at play.

The best solution was to self-regulate the charging by flipping battery switches but we have other things to do than that.

It seems the two alternators may have been a mistake to get. Why have a 100 amp alternator to charge just a starting battery?

 We thought it to be a good idea at the time as we could use the both to help charge the house bank.

 It could be a Bomar alternator and some of their products would have been a better choice. We know a cruiser who went that route and all was well but the bracket was giving him lots of problems that went on his Beta 38hp motor. So we decide to get factory ones when we ordered the motor.

Thanks,

Chip

 

 

 

 


 



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Mike Moore


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see my comments about a 136 amp nippendensa alt

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