[C320-list] Alternator Upgrade questions - Balmar 70 110A

[Colin Evans]

We have the regulator mounted next to the engine coolant. We didn`t change
the alternator, just kept the standard 55 amp.
This made a huge difference.  The batteries re-charge in no time at all.  I
put a start battery in front of the other two.  Took the cables off the
forward battery and they reached the new 80a start battery ( which we
haven`t had to use yet) and linked the two house batteries with off the
shelf cables. This made the main battery switch, #1 for house and #2 for
starting.  I also fitted a batery monitor for the houe batteries. We keep it
on #1 all the time.  When we leave the marina we know that all three
batteries are topped up and when we need to run the engine the house
batteries are up to 100% in less than half an hour after sailing for maybe 5
hours .  We don`t have auto-pilot, just the nav instruments , VHF and fridge
on. I tend to check the start batter with the voltmeter on the panel, but it
is never less thsat 12.6 and the Xantrex 40a charger does its job when we
are in the pen.

*************************
Regards
Colin Evans
Watermark #774
Lake Macquarie, Australia




-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Donald Lawson
Sent: Saturday, 15 September 2012 7:09 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Alternator Upgrade questions - Balmar 70 110A

Danny
I can't answer your questions yet. I just completed wiring in a house bank
but have yet to upgrade the Alternator. I will be interested in your setup
when completed.  In my alternator research I ran across an issue with belt
size. I will verify tonight but I think the belt is 3/8" and the Balmar 110
amp is 1/2".   
Don Lawson #1005
On Sep 14, 2012, at 10:15 AM, danny jensen wrote:

> All,
> Thanks for all the info on the c320 site re the alternator topic. My
> questions follow. Please answer anything you can. Thanks in advance.
> 
> Boat details
> C320 hull 972 2004
> Yanmar 3GM30F-YEU
> xantrex true charge 40
> Flooded Lead Acid 4D x 2 1 yr old
> 
> Project:
> I have decided add a starter battery per C320 site instructions (create
> house and starter bank) and then work my way aft to upgrade the
> alternator. 2 phase project.
> 
> Alternator:
> I'd like to go with the Balmar 110A alternator with the ARS-5-h voltage
> regulator purchased in kit part number 70-YP-110-KIT
> Balmar Alternator Kits Contain:
> Alternator 70 series
> Matching ARS-5-H voltage regulator
> 54" Wire harness
> MC-TS-A Alternator temperature sensor
> MC-TS-B Battery temperature sensor
> 
> I found this kit for $700.00 at East Coast battery and electric.
> http://www.eastcoastbattery.com/alternators.htm
> 
> Other Stuff:
> Blue Seas ACR #7610 between house and starter
> Xantrex linkLite with shunt
> Group 24 60ah or Group 27 92ah (not sure) will get from Sams Club?
> Xantrex truecharge 40 with 2 outputs connected to house and starter
> batteries 
> 
> 
> Questions:
> 1. What is the best location to place the voltage regulator? The kit
> above only has a 54" harness. Looks like Jeff mounted the regulator next
> to the nav station. Other people mounted in engine area next to coolant
> res. How hard is it to extend the balmar 54" harness?
> 2. what size thickness and type of wood do you use for your electrical
> backboards? How do you secure them to the hull? Type of screws used to
> mount components/backboards?
> 3. Was the balmar 110A a drop in replacement with no shimming? Do you
> have a belt part number I can use? Do you chew up belts?
> 4. Best place to buy bus bars/fuses/connectors, battery strap etc, do
> you have Part numbers?
> 5. Do you have any details you can give me on interfacing the old
> alternator / boat wiring to the balmar harness (ground, power input,
> ignition, tack out)? Do we need to interface the tack wire from the
> Balmar reg to the boat? Is the tack output somewhat accurate? Cable path
> to dash lamp on Edison to flag charger malfunction
> 6. Location of existing negative bus bar on hull 972? Do I have one?
> Where should I locate the fuse protection for this neg bus bar? 
> 7. Is it absolutely necessary to run alternator directly to house
> batteries? Or can I just leave it running to the switch?
> 8. Any custom configuration needed programming the Balmar Reg?
> 9. Other stuff I'm forgetting not covered on C320. 
> 
> 
> 
>