Permanent magnet alternators

[hellosailor]

Rick, I don' think any of use were talking about replacing the engine alternator with them, just the comparative issues. Especially with trying to use one integrated charge controller...which becomes problematic if one power source needs loading shedding, and nothing else does, so the single controller starts to need multiple control schemes.

[Alan Wheeler]

I have been advised to switch over to Permanent magnet alternators on my vessels.

Hellosailor, That is exactly what was originaly asked and what Rick was replying to :-)

[Alan Wheeler]

I won't even try to add to Rick, (damn that's good info Rick). But Chris, I do have to wonder why you keep burning up alternators. I suggest you have some other problem. Mainly in that the load you are asking your alternator to supply is too big. This is not usually a Battery bank issue, but more commonly an accesory ussue. Like lots of lights and other wizz bang features that when all on, are requiring a load in excess of what your alternator is able to supply. If you load is say 80Amps and you have a 65Amp alternator, you would need to look at fitting a 150A alternator for instance.

[hellosailor]

No fair, Wheels, you've obviously been hitting the re-caffienated coffee.<G> I meant that none of us here were suggesting using the permanent magnet alternators.

Perhaps if Chris were to fill in some of the details about his installation we might guess why he's going through alternators. Sometimes it really is a matter of luck and gremlins...sometimes more readily quantifiable causes.<G>