[C320-list] Alternator question

[Joe Luciano]

The other option is to skip the AGM batteries altogether and save a bunch of money with marine rated flooded batteries.  I just got 12 years out of mine and recently replaced them with Interstate flooded deep cycle batteries.  The modification I made was the upgrade to a Balmar alternator with 3 stage voltage regulator.  I, too can get from a 50% charge to 100% in 2-1/2 hours of motoring.  The Balmar alternator fits on the Yanmar with the same single belt set up.  I just had to add some washers to get a good alignment on all of the sheaves, and wire in the external voltage regulator.  Has worked like a champ for more than 12 years now.  No need for solar panels, controllers and all of the additional wiring complications.  Generally, if I run my motor for about an hour a day, that’s enough to handle lights and refrigeration in the summer months.  I have the factory 30 amp Charles shore power battery charger which works well to maintain a float charge without over-charging and damaging batteries when I’m plugged in.  I also installed a Link battery bank monitor such that I always know my actual amp hour usage vs. trying to guess using voltage indications.  As indicated in the response below, lots of options……But, clearly, an internally regulated alternator is not a good option for charging deep cycle batteries.

Joe Luciano
Second Wind
2005 Catalina 320

> On Aug 6, 2018, at 5:02 PM, Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi Scott:
> 
> Whew. Lots of options.
> 
> One to think about is to buy a Sterling alternator-to-battery charger. It is a four-stage smart charger that takes about two hours to install. It acts very much like an external smart voltage regulator. It also allows you to select among different types of batteries.
> 
> I had one on my old Bristol 30 for about three years, and I seriously thought about taking it with me when I sold the boat. It will top off your house bank in 2-2 1/2 hours of motoring from a 50 percent discharge, about half the time that it will take the Hitachi alternator alone.
> 
> The Hitachi (which is no longer a Hitachi, by the way. Some faceless Chinese company makes 'em.) is a car alternator, which means the no. 1 rule is not to cook the battery. So you get 55 amps for a very short time, and much less for most of the time.
> 
> A smart charger like Sterling will feed many more amps into your batteries without cooking them. A potential problem with any smart charger or regulator is that they could quicken the death of an aging alternator because they make the alternator work a lot harder.
> 
> On the other hand, you can buy a new alternator on the web for around $100 or so. Not a big deal.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
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> -----Original Message----- From: Scott Westwood
> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2018 5:44 PM
> To: Catalina List
> Subject: [C320-list] Alternator question
> 
> The Alternator on my Yanmar 3GM30F is a Japanese Hitachi IC RegLR155-20 12V- 55A
> Does anybody know if this will charge AGM batteries?  I assume it is regulated internally.
> My thoughts:
> 1. Replace both Lead Acid with AGMs.2. Change the Xantrex Shore power charger "settings" from LA to AGM.3. Install new Solar panel(s) with controller and monitor (Large enough to charge and maintain)    2. May include start battery (Dual charger off main bank)
> 
> I am wondering if we can use the same alternator and just see how it does (Given our usage).???  Then... if we don't get to shore power enough or the solar panel can't top it off...  we can replace the Alternator with new Regulator.
> If we simply "have to" replace it now, then fine.  But if it just means it will require more motoring, then we can decide at that point if we increase Alternator and/or bring along a portable Generator.
> Thoughts?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C (919)-618-7185 
> 
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