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Old 31-03-2017, 09:18   #1
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Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

No charge coming to batteries. Noticed lights on reaulator MC 612 not working. Followed diagnostics in manuel: Replaced 10 amp and 1 amp fuses between alt and reg. Tested positive red on Ford plug on reg and it reads good. However the brown (ignition) nd blue (sense wire) gave no reading and it should. I replaced regulator and get same symptoms. Perplexed!
I am getting charge out of alternator.

Any thought appreciated!
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Old 31-03-2017, 09:25   #2
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

Yes, find out why you don't get the voltages that you "Should" be getting.
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Old 31-03-2017, 09:37   #3
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

How do you know you are getting charge from the alternator?
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Old 31-03-2017, 09:40   #4
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

If you aren't getting voltage on the sense wires then trace them back the other way from the regulator. The sense voltage comes to the regulator not from the regulator so you possibly replaced a good regulator.

Very likely a loose or corroded connection OR bad ignition switch. Like Deepfrz said, find out why you aren't getting voltage to the sense wires.
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Old 31-03-2017, 09:48   #5
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

You replaced regulator before you found why there isn't voltage on the wires there should be??????????

Was the ignitor key on when you tested it?
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Old 31-03-2017, 10:14   #6
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

When I put my MC-612 in years ago, it failed a number of times. Why? Because every single one of the factory installed ring terminals and heat shrink on the wiring harness failed. Since I replaced them, everything works just fine.

You need to trace and check every single wire. 99% of electrical failures are the connections, usually not the wires themselves.

Good luck.
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Old 31-03-2017, 10:50   #7
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu Jackson View Post
When I put my MC-612 in years ago, it failed a number of times. Why? Because every single one of the factory installed ring terminals and heat shrink on the wiring harness failed. Since I replaced them, everything works just fine.
This is very good to know. I have one of these and so far so good but if it dies I will start with checking the factory crimps.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu Jackson View Post
99% of electrical failures are the connections, usually not the wires themselves.
Correct. Unless the wire gets crimped between something or chaffed on moving/vibrating equipment I would say 99.99% of the failures are in the connections.
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Old 31-03-2017, 10:52   #8
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

I added a note to my above post but I guess I forgot to hit enter. Senior's moment. Anyway the Blue wire is not the sense wire. It is the field wire.
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Old 01-04-2017, 10:36   #9
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

I had a nightmare until I had the alternator tested. The technician remarked that my alternator was shielded ground. I knew immediately what was going on and installed a ground to the alternator. That fixed everything.
Check to see if your alternator needs a separate ground wire.
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Old 01-04-2017, 11:27   #10
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

Quote:
Originally Posted by iwindance View Post
No charge coming to batteries. Noticed lights on reaulator MC 612 not working. Followed diagnostics in manuel: Replaced 10 amp and 1 amp fuses between alt and reg. Tested positive red on Ford plug on reg and it reads good. However the brown (ignition) nd blue (sense wire) gave no reading and it should. I replaced regulator and get same symptoms. Perplexed!
I am getting charge out of alternator.

Any thought appreciated!
A few things unclear in your post. *All* lights on regulator not working? You replaced regulator and get same symptoms? Like there were *no* lights showing on the new regulator? If so you probably not getting the 12V supply to it from the ignition circuit, as was mentioned it could be the keyswitch or several other causes. Remove plug from MC-612 and check 12V from ignition is being supplied to the regulator.
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Old 01-04-2017, 12:57   #11
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

Had similar problems. Discovered the sense / field wires were plugged in backwards. Rotated and re-plugged. Works great now!
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Old 01-04-2017, 16:46   #12
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Re: Balmar Alternator and MC 612 regulator issue

A Balmar mc-612 requires +12v on three terminals before it will turn on.
Red = 12vdc supply
Brown = 12v ignition switch
Sense (separate terminal) = 12v direct from battery.

The blue wire is the field output to the alternator, and will only have voltage once the regulator is energized and operating.
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