[C320-list] BALMAR Alternator

[Robert Seastream]

I like the idea of having both, but then I have future visions of air  
conditioning dancing in my head.

Bob Seastream
Intuition # 906

On Oct 26, 2008, at 5:39 PM, Richard A. Walker wrote:

> Another Thought.
>
> After 9 years we have about 700 hours on the Yanmar. ( about 120  
> hours as a
> charger)  At that rate I will not be around when it is time for  
> overall.
> Might as well use it for the alternator as well as the iron lung.
>
> The issue about the Honda is that my xantec charger is only 20 AMPS  
> so that
> all the rate of charge no matter what the Yanmar puts out.
>
> So I am sold on the Balmar solution.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Dick Walker
> C-320 (687) WindWalker II
> 740 Olive Ave.
> Coronado, CA 92118-2136
> 619.435.8986
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of R Airis
> Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 1:55 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] BALMAR Alternator
>
>    At least you can take the Honda 2000 home or to another boat if   
> needed.
>
> Bob......Hale Kai 2
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Richard A. Walker" <dickwalker at att.net>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 11:40 AM
> Subject: [C320-list] BALMAR Alternator
>
>
> I quote "The rub is in an upgraded alternator and voltage regulator.  
> Balmar
> appears to be a rugged and reliable choice, but my reading suggests  
> that
> above a certain output level I have to upgrade to a different pulley  
> and
> belt size for the engine. A further concern is that there is limited  
> space
> underneath the engine cover and whatever I acquire must needs fit  
> within the
> confines of the engine space."
>
> We and many others have the BALMOR upgrade.  I have for 3 years and  
> it works
> great.  In my mind a much better solution than a Honda Generator.
>
> It plugged right into the mounting brackets for the YANMAR engines.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Dick Walker
> C-320 (687) WindWalker II
> 740 Olive Ave.
> Coronado, CA 92118-2136
> 619.435.8986
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of warren  
> updike
> Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 11:01 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] In Boom Furler Now Electrics Upgrade
>
> Brian, it is most important to insure that the mounting points of  
> the new
> alternator are exactly the same as the OEM alternator, even to the  
> distance
> between them and the radius of the adjustment swing. This may not be a
> problem with a Yanmar as I understand they use the US auto standard  
> mount.
> On my Perkins, the new alternator was larger and radius was different
> requiring the adjustment bracket to be re-engineered: a super pain,  
> and
> costly if you are paying someone to do it.
>
> Another interesting point, the Perkins has a 3/8" belt and should  
> not be
> used to drive more than an 80A alternator. I believe the Yanmar has  
> a 1/2"
> belt which should be good to 125A. The mfgr. will be able provide the
> details. Using the regulator features, the alternator output may be
> controlled so you don't over stress the belt and pulleys, not to  
> mention the
> HP diverted from the shaft.
>
> One other thing I did was to replace the 1-All-2 switch with a Blue  
> Sea
> "e-series" dual switch. It independently switches the house and  
> starting
> circuits at the same time. The only positions are "On" and "Off."  
> The "Both"
> position is an option I chose. I'm really happy with this switch: no  
> more
> decisions, It's either on or off.
>
> I've added one new test to my Spring commissioning list. I check the  
> voltage
> drop on both pos and neg feeds from the alternator to the battery.  
> Because
> of the amount of current pulled by the starter it is very important  
> that all
> of the intervening connections be clean and of minimal resistance.
>
> More power = less worry.
>
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Amirault Family - S&B [mailto:amiraults at sympatico.ca]
> Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 7:20 PM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] In Boom Furler Now Electrics Upgrade
>
> All:
>
>
>
> The crew reviewed the responses to my query on how to spend a modest  
> amount
> of "found money", and is convinced that improved liveability is the  
> correct
> answer. Although the idea came from here, she really thinks that  
> more amps
> available more often would be the best bang for the bucks and would  
> leave
> her happier; and so an electrics upgrade it is.
>
>
>
> Bear currently has the original electrics, with the addition of a  
> separate
> starting battery under the port settee. During 2007 all of the  
> batteries
> were replaced. The house bank is now four 6volt AGM batteries wired in
> parallel and series to yield a single 440 AH bank. The starting  
> battery is a
> separate 12volt AGM unit.
>
>
>
> To have more power available at a sail club where shore power is not  
> offered
> at the slips will require an increase in our ability to generate  
> amps off
> the engine. To this end consideration is being given to acquiring a  
> Xantrex
> XC5012 multi-bank charger (to replace the original Pro Mariner unit)  
> for
> those days when we can get to the service dock and for a future on  
> bigger
> water where the slips are shore power enabled. To make AC available  
> the
> choice is a Xantrex Prosine 1800 inverter. These will be connected  
> to a Link
> Monitor 2000 and the batteries will be temperature monitored.
>
>
>
> The rub is in an upgraded alternator and voltage regulator. Balmar  
> appears
> to be a rugged and reliable choice, but my reading suggests that  
> above a
> certain output level I have to upgrade to a different pulley and  
> belt size
> for the engine. A further concern is that there is limited space  
> underneath
> the engine cover and whatever I acquire must needs fit within the  
> confines
> of the engine space.
>
>
>
> The local self-taught marine electrician willing to aid in this  
> effort (for
> a fee) wants to be certain that there will be no installation  
> surprises with
> the hardware I eventually select. Would members having already done an
> alternator upgrade sound off with their experiences,  
> recommendations, and
> assessment of their satisfaction with their results.
>
>
>
> There is no hurry. I will not be making any buys until after  
> attending the
> Toronto Boat Show in January 2009. The installation will not be done  
> until
> after launch this coming May (I haul out on Saturday, weather  
> permitting).
>
>
>
> Brian Amirault
>
> Waltzing Bear, too
>
>
>