I have a 1982 MT34 DC with a Lehman 120HP. The previous owner says the Balmar alternater on the engine and a Balmar spare have been changed to self regulating 55 Amp units from their original 100 Amp with external regulation. Can this be correct or is he blowing smoke?? I presume he took it to some shop and it was altered there.
BALMAR 100amp changed to 55AMP?????????
- Thread starter geoleo
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O C Diver
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First, Balmar doesn't make alternators. They sell another manufacturer's alternator. That manufacturer sells it with a standard internal regulator. It's not a stretch to assume the previous owner had internal single stage regulators installed. While the alternator may still be capable of producing 100 amps to match a 100 amp load, it may only be capable of charging a battery at 55 amps.
There may be another explanation, but this seems plausible to me.
Ted
catalinajack
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The Balmar 6-Series regulator, which is made in 70, 100, and 120 amp versions, has an internal "dumb" regulator but with a wiring harness that, when the sense wire for the internal regulator is not used and the sense wire in the external regulator wiring is used, then the alternator is externally regulated. In the event that the external regular fails, the alternator may quickly be changed to internal regulation, a handy but probably infrequently used feature. Perhaps this is the answer to the poster's question.
Yes, and since internally regulated alternators can't push much current into a battery unless it is well discharged, you will see much less amperage out of it when it is switched to internal regulation, thus perhaps the 55 amp comment and probably less than that.
David
There was - a Balmar . It went dead, probably because it was installed in the engine room only 12 inches from the engine. The PO said then he had the alternator "converted". There was no engine room exhaust blower either. I added one.
Hard to ascertain as there is a solar system that keeps them up
Irish Rambler
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Just for the 'craic' (that means fun in Ireland NOT the chemical variety) Google
www.adverc.co.uk and read their write up about battery charging.
I've no connection other than having used one for 20+ years with no problems.
In my post 'Canal du Midi' I will be modifying my existing charging system to a twin Bosch alternator Adverc controlled system and will post photo's and wiring diagrams for you to follow.
www.adverc.co.uk and read their write up about battery charging.
I've no connection other than having used one for 20+ years with no problems.
In my post 'Canal du Midi' I will be modifying my existing charging system to a twin Bosch alternator Adverc controlled system and will post photo's and wiring diagrams for you to follow.
