[C320-list] Alternator Upgrades

Sun Jul 12 11:00:41 PDT 2009

The short answer is that I have the BALMAR alternator with its controller
and I really like it. http://balmar.net/  The best price was from PYA.

http://www.pyacht.com

The long answer is a consideration of how to best set up your 320.  I have
discussed this and it is on file on the C-320 pages.

WE needed extra power about 15 days a year when we are on a buoy at
Catalina.  I found it better to have the large alternator instead of a HONDA
generator.  No need to mess with fuel, storage etc.  

My set up includes: ( from a 2002 email)

The web site has a great discussion on this and Jeff may want to add these
suggestions to the Q&A section.  What I did on WindWalker II was the
following and I highly recommend it:

1. Set up #1 switch position for the new Group 27 AGM start battery 2. Set
up # 2 switch position for the existing batteries which were placed in
parallel.
3. Installed a 50A Two Battery Combiner (C-50)  for charging the batteries
from the engine alternator.  (West marine Model 143268 $79.99 on page 520,
2003 Catalogue.)  This allows the engine alternator to charge both banks
that you have now created and not only charge the weakest bank.. I placed
this small device behind the DC panel.
4. Placed the group 27 AGM battery in the port lazier just below the ac/dc
shore power charger.  I had to epoxy a bracket to hold it onto the bottom of
the lazier.
5. By the way, I was not satisfied with the Catalina original battery
charger so I had it deleted from the equipment list when I purchased the
boat and in stead installed the True Charge 20+ charger. (West Marine page
529) This allows me to charge both banks.  Over the past few years many on
this list have changed to this equipment.  It work fine and does not fry the
batteries.  Yesterday I check my batteries and only had to add 2 cups of
water after 2 months.
6. While you are at it you should consider adding the Link 10 battery
monitor for observing the battery charge in group #2. (page 520).

I like the idea of using group #1 for 1 battery and Group #2 for the 2
batteries, easy to remember.  I also can with this set up use up all the
juice in group #2 if I screw up, and still have power for starting the
engine since the banks are not connected are not connected unless I select
Both.  I never set the switch to both in practice,  although this could be
useful in an emergency.  The selector switch selects what is being used not
what is being charged by either shore or engine power.

If this helps and If you have further question please give me a call.

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 Pat Kenefick
Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2009 6:18 AM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Alternator Upgrades

I know people have upgraded their alternators - I would appreciate any 
suggestions as to various upgrades installed.
Thanks
Pat Kenefick
"Cynthia gale"
Hull 833
Bath, NC
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <c320-list-request at lists.catalina320.com>
To: <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 3:00 PM
Subject: C320-list Digest, Vol 502, Issue 2

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> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: Tachometer Problem - Ring Gear/Sensor Gap (Robert E. Sloat)
>   2. Halyard & chain questions (jpmesa at aol.com)
>   3. Re: Halyard & chain questions (Jeff Hare)
>   4. Re: Halyard & chain questions (Chris Burti)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:23:36 -0500
> From: "Robert E. Sloat" <resloat at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Tachometer Problem - Ring Gear/Sensor Gap
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Message-ID: <58025FE4C241452488664F6B48E77173 at SloatLaptop>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=response
>
> Scott-You are right.  The clearance is adjustable and Yanmar manual says 
> the
> gap between the tachometer sensor and the ring gear should be 1.3 mm 
> (0.0511
> in.).  It also says the sensor must not be loose fitted, so if it moves
> around that may cause problems.
>
> There is a test of the sensor using an oscilloscope which is difficult to
> explain.
>
> One easily measured spec. for the sensor is its internal resistance at 
> rest
> which is 1.6 k ohms + or - 0.1 k ohms.  If the resistance across the two
> pins on the sensor which connected to the wires going to the tachometer is
> not that then the manual remedy is to replace the sensor.
>
> Bob Sloat
> Savannah 894
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Scott Thompson" <surprise at thompson87.com>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:32 AM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Tachometer Problem
>
>
>>I don't have my manual handy.  Is the sending unit adjustable?  It occurs
>>to me that clearances between the flywheel gear teeth and sensor might be
>>off on my boat if it is.  I've got erratic and low tach readings that I
>>haven't been able to track down.
>>
>>
>> Robert E. Sloat wrote:
>>> Larry-Good pictures and what you have concluded matches the Yammer
>>> Service Manual for the 3GM30F.  The number of teeth on the ring gear for
>>> the 3GM30F is 97.  For the 3HM35 version of this engine which I think is
>>> the sail drive model, the number of teeth is 114.  According to the
>>> Manual, the basic tachometers and the sending units for for either ring
>>> gear are the same so the black dial looks like it is used for switching
>>> to either ring gear probably.  This is not shown in the Service Manual
>>> and it doesn't mention the calibration screw.
>>>
>>>> From your pictures it is clear how to dial in a working the tachometer
>>>> if it
>>> is off from actual RPMs measured at the crank shaft pulley.
>>>
>>> Bob Sloat
>>> Savannah 894
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Melissa&Larry Leibman"
>>> <theleibmans at verizon.net>
>>> To: <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 8:14 PM
>>> Subject: [C320-list] Tachometer Problem
>>>
>>>
>>> Jamie,
>>>
>>> You may have already rectified the tach issue but if not, I have been
>>> having the same behavior for several months. I finally got around to
>>> checking into it beginning at the tach sender on the instrument housing
>>> and working up to the tach itself. I've uploaded a few pictures at:
>>>
>>> http://www.catalina320.com/mediagallery/album.php?aid=214&page=1
>>>
>>> It appears at least on Easy Going that the problem was at the 
>>> tachometer.
>>> If you check out the picture at the link below, there is a calibration
>>> adjustment on the left side of the picture but on the right side is a
>>> kind of blurry black dial adjustment. I believe that adjustment allows
>>> you to set the number of teeth in the pinion gear. From the labeling
>>> around the dial I expected it to have 3 positions. However, it just 
>>> turns
>>> continuously with no obvious detents. As the engine was running I
>>> adjusted this dial and at certain points the tach would jump much like I
>>> would observe while running. I adjusted within the first range/position
>>> until the tach appeared to give a stable reading. I figured I would also
>>> need to adjust the calibration screw but when I rechecked the tach with 
>>> a
>>> laser tach, the readings appeared to match within the precision of the
>>> tach in the cockpit. I then ran the engine at several rpm settings and
>>> all seemed to agree well with the
>>> laser tach. Previously my laser tach gave readings 100-400 rpm lower 
>>> than
>>> the cockpit tach depending on the speed.
>>>
>>>
http://www.catalina320.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2009071017503
760 I
>>> haven't had a chance to take the boat for a spin so I'm not certain if
>>> the problem is really solved but so far so good.
>>>
>>> Larry
>>
>> -- 
>> Scott Thompson
>> Surprise, #653
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:36:21 -0400
> From: jpmesa at aol.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Halyard & chain questions
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Message-ID: <8CBD05CDBCEC084-84C-2E81 at WEBMAIL-MB11.sysops.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> I'm not on my boat and don't have the manual with me so I was wondering if

> anyone out there knows what the lenght and size of the Mainsail & jib 
> halyards are?? I'm thinking it's about time to repalce them. Also, on the 
> 500 Maxwell windlass conversion kit I believe the chain is 1/4" but will 
> it take both proof & HT type chain?? John & Bobbi? Holokai 2
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:51:54 +0000
> From: "Jeff Hare" <catalina at thehares.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Halyard & chain questions
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Message-ID:
>
<1192776773-1247331062-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-2043661624-@
bxe1241.bisx.prod.on.blackberry>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain
>
> John,
>
> Main halyards:  110 feet is a good length with about the right amount of 
> extra.
>
> We have 80' of High Test 1/4" chain and 150' 5/8"(?)  rhode on our primary

> anchor.  We did that to hopefully allow the gypsy conversion.
> Jib Sheets are somewhere around 40' but you might check the Owners Manual 
> on the website.
>
> -Cheers
> -JeffH
> ------Original Message------
> From: jpmesa at aol.com
> Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> ReplyTo: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Halyard & chain questions
> Sent: Jul 11, 2009 12:36 PM
>
> I'm not on my boat and don't have the manual with me so I was wondering if

> anyone out there knows what the lenght and size of the Mainsail & jib 
> halyards are?? I'm thinking it's about time to repalce them. Also, on the 
> 500 Maxwell windlass conversion kit I believe the chain is 1/4" but will 
> it take both proof & HT type chain?? John & Bobbi? Holokai 2
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:46:59 -0400
> From: Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Halyard & chain questions
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Message-ID:
> <79721a9c0907111046j1e8537a3i63e1bbc155f61b76 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Halyards are 3/8" / 9mm diameter.
>
> On Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 12:51 PM, Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
>
>> John,
>>
>> Main halyards:  110 feet is a good length with about the right amount of
>> extra.
>>
>> We have 80' of High Test 1/4" chain and 150' 5/8"(?)  rhode on our 
>> primary
>> anchor.  We did that to hopefully allow the gypsy conversion.
>> Jib Sheets are somewhere around 40' but you might check the Owners Manual
>> on the website.
>>
>> -Cheers
>> -JeffH
>>  ------Original Message------
>> From: jpmesa at aol.com
>> Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> ReplyTo: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: [C320-list] Halyard & chain questions
>> Sent: Jul 11, 2009 12:36 PM
>>
>> I'm not on my boat and don't have the manual with me so I was wondering 
>> if
>> anyone out there knows what the lenght and size of the Mainsail & jib
>> halyards are?? I'm thinking it's about time to repalce them. Also, on the
>> 500 Maxwell windlass conversion kit I believe the chain is 1/4" but will 
>> it
>> take both proof & HT type chain?? John & Bobbi? Holokai 2
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> -- 
> Chris Burti Farmville, NC
>
>
> End of C320-list Digest, Vol 502, Issue 2
> ***************************************** 