Alternator Regulators - Opinions ?

[nonam]

SmartGauge Electronics - Are alternator controllers really necessary?

[Kettlewell]

MaineSail--Roger, 10DN, that makes sense. I'm pretty sure that alternator was externally regulated from the get-go using one of those old mechanical/electrical regulators (that failed regularly!).

[cburger]

Originally Posted by nonam

SmartGauge Electronics - Are alternator controllers really necessary?

This was a very intersting read, do you know if any of the 12SI alternators charge at these higher 14.2 voltage rates of would they require modification?

[nonam]

I think most recent Delco SI alternators are right up into 14volts.I am considering one that says "the voltage regulator set point is 14.7 volts".
Of course I think you should only take this route with regular lead acid deep cycle batteries.

[Kettlewell]

You can get all sorts of regulators for the 10SI and 12SI with different set points. Here is one source.

[nonam]

Also I think you can get a replacement regulator with higher set point,for Delco SI,for less than $20.But they are internal regulators and I dont know how much work and what tools you need to instal them.

[Kettlewell]

The Delco 10SI and 12SI regulator is very easy to change with ordinary hand tools. You can do it in 5-10 minutes.

[cburger]

Originally Posted by nonam

I think most recent Delco SI alternators are right up into 14volts.I am considering one that says "the voltage regulator set point is 14.7 volts".
Of course I think you should only take this route with regular lead acid deep cycle batteries.

Do you see any issues with this 14.7 volts for the lead acid cranking battery that is not technically a deep cycle?

[cburger]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

The Delco 10SI and 12SI regulator is very easy to change with ordinary hand tools. You can do it in 5-10 minutes.

Kettlewell, are the regulators that you posted the internal type?

[nonam]

I don't know but I suspect stuffing high volts into a thin plate battery might warp a plate.And ,of course,you would need to monitor battery water closely with high volts.

[Cheechako]

I like the Ample Power Next Step regulators. On my HC38 I had both the Balmar version and the Ample power reg on board. The same setup with the AP would put out 15-20 more amps longer. However it was not the reg Balmar sells now.

[Kettlewell]

Kettlewell, are the regulators that you posted the internal type?

Yes. Those are internal regulators for 10SI and 12SI Delco alternators. I have switched around and tried various ones.

Someone else was asking about charging your starting battery at the same voltage as your deep-cycle house batteries. What I do is have all the alternator output go directly to the house bank of deep-cycle batteries with a Trik-L-Start that feeds charge to my starting batteries once the house batteries are getting a decent charge. The Trik-L-Start drops the voltage by 0.2 volts, which seems to work out well for the starting battery. I also feed all the solar panel power direct to the house batteries and the Trik-L-Start keeps the starter battery ready to go no matter what. Remember, there is no reason your starting battery should get a deep discharge--if you are discharging it a lot, something else is wrong with your engine. If it doesn't start right up, you should fix that problem first. Therefore, your starter battery never needs much of a charge.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by nonam

SmartGauge Electronics - Are alternator controllers really necessary?

Funny, I wrote something along similar lines a while ago .. Never saw that one but it is good to know others understand this too...

Musings Regarding External Regulation

[nonam]

Thanks for posting that Mainesail.Very Interesting.Looks like there is a question about the max safe voltage.It seems to me that 14.6 must be safe if auto's have been charging their batteries at that.The guy in the UK at Smartgauge is saying that 14.8 is safe.

[Cheechako]

Pretty interesting. Very interesting when he talks about the charge rate percentage between voltages! If you've got a voltage adjustable regulator, that would be a nice thing to do. I dont see anywhere where he says how long a "higher voltage internal regulated modern alternator" will pound in max amps though....? Most of the modern alternators are built to simply surface charge a car battery after it's cranked the engine. Smaller bateries are preferred to save weight to meet MPG goals etc....
Also, my experience after motoring on a crossing.... say 8-12 hours. That my battery bank was as full as it can get.. call it 99%. That doesnt jive with his "72 hours required to fully charge..." What's your experience with that?