Question about Balmar external regulator belt manager

[Rusty123]

Originally Posted by smac999

why turn it off?... every boat should have a big alt and ext reg... I put a 180a alt, serp belt kit, ext reg on a small yanmar sail boat engine last year. I didn't put on any way of turning it off. runs fine.

I don't know what you mean by 'turn it off', but if you're referring to small engine mode, I think the idea is that you can reduce alt output for times that propulsion is the priority.

As I'm sure you recognize, if that big alt is pulling, say 150 amps, that's equivalent to around 5 - 6 HP, which is a pretty big chunk of a small engine output.

But tell me more about the installation you describe. What brand/model of components? What type/size engine? What type/size bank? Any lessons learned?

[colemj]

Originally Posted by smac999

... every boat should have a big alt and ext reg...

Unless they have alternate and more efficient means to charge.

Mark

[sailinglegend]

Originally Posted by Rusty123

Works for me with Chrome and iOS.

Still this OLD issue.

I have tried IE and Chrome and neither work.

I get the message "You have reached a page that is either non-existant or in error!"

I can't even get to the HOME page by clicking the HOME button. I can get there via c34.org, but still can't LOGIN!!

I am in Turkey so does that have an effect.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by sailinglegend

Still this OLD issue.

I have tried IE and Chrome and neither work.

I get the message "You have reached a page that is either non-existant or in error!"

I can't even get to the HOME page by clicking the HOME button. I can get there via c34.org, but still can't LOGIN!!

I am in Turkey so does that have an effect.

In the US small web sites often block entire IP address segments due to chronic spam. Frustrating for sure but you often block one IP and then ten more pop up with a similar IP. You keep blocking until eventually you give up and block all addresses beginning with XXX.....

Not saying this is the case here but could be....

[sailinglegend]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

In the US small web sites often block entire IP address segments due to chronic spam......

Thank-you Maine Sail. I have just installed a VPN and the link to c34.org (Catalina site) now works fine. It has taken 18 months to sort this!!!!

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Wraith_Mac

... or what a "code 58" is...

System error code 58 means: "The specified server cannot perform the requested operation."
This error code may also display as "ERROR_BAD_NET_RESP" or as the value 0x3A.

[Codybear]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Thanks for mentioning BOTH features.

Alternator heat, Regulator Controls, Small Engine Mode

Alternator heat, Regulator Controls, Small Engine Mode

Small Engine Mode - discussion with link to the picture of the toggle switch: Alternator heat, Regulator Controls, Small Engine Mode

Stu,

Is there a functionality difference between "small engine mode" (SEM) and "belt load manager" (BLM). From your measurements, it sounds like SEM reduces the output by 50% and you incorporated a switch to go to 100% when the amps drop. Does BLM act the same way but just a different percent? Ie, 60% BLM reduces output by 40% even when the output is less than 60% of capacity, including absorption and float. Or does it act like a current limiter so that BLM of 60% on a 100A alternator limits it to 60A and anything less is at 100%?

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Codybear

Stu,

Is there a functionality difference between "small engine mode" (SEM) and "belt load manager" (BLM). From your measurements, it sounds like SEM reduces the output by 50% and you incorporated a switch to go to 100% when the amps drop. Does BLM act the same way but just a different percent? Ie, 60% BLM reduces output by 40% even when the output is less than 60% of capacity, including absorption and float. Or does it act like a current limiter so that BLM of 60% on a 100A alternator limits it to 60A and anything less is at 100%?

The best answer for this is to go to Balmar and downloading one of the regulator manuals. Belt load manager is a programmed function to the regulator which turns down the output across the entire spectrum ALL THE TIME, whereas the SEM simply takes the output whatever it is and
cuts it by 50% BECAUSE it is a (as you said, manual) replacement of the alternator temperature senor. Yes, it's a programmable value. My links explained why using both the BLM and the SEM cuts stuff way, way back and why i find the SEM simpler to deal with without having to ever use the reed switch to reprogram anything.

Try the manual.

[Codybear]

Thanks, I had read the manual. From the manual it is unclear if BLM performs like a true current limiter or if it is an overall fractional reducer. I was hoping that it was a current limiter where the output below the limit behaves the same as if the BLM was not set and only prevents the output from exceeding the set limit. Too bad it doesn't work this way. I wonder if the Echo "Amp Manager" does it the same way.