Balmar max charge 612 for any alternator?

[RunningCool]

Hard time finding info if this regulator/charger will work with any alternator.
Balmar of course wants u to use it with theirs at 900$
thx

[roryboy]

Balmar Regulators are designed to regulate the positive side of the rotating field circuit. (P type alternator) With that said... If you take the Balmar 612 regulator and your alternator of choice to a proper alternator shop, the technician can always figure out a way to make the two work together. If you are looking for a plug and play solution, you will probably be disappointed.

[CrispyCringle]

Have you looked at the Wakespeed WS500? I dont have either, but Ive been doing some research. Highly configurable.

[NewMoon]

Originally Posted by RunningCool

Hard time finding info if this regulator/charger will work with any alternator.
Balmar of course wants u to use it with theirs at 900$
thx

No mystery - just have the alternator modified to external regulation. Not complicated or expensive.

[The Yacht Rigger]

Originally Posted by CrispyCringle

Have you looked at the Wakespeed WS500? I dont have either, but Ive been doing some research. Highly configurable.

Also check out the new Arco Zeus, even more configuration options and bluetooth programming so you can program from a smartphone.
https://theyachtrigger.com/arco-zeus...tor-regulator/

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by RunningCool

Hard time finding info if this regulator/charger will work with any alternator.
Balmar of course wants u to use it with theirs at 900$
thx

Yes.

Originally Posted by NewMoon

No mystery - just have the alternator modified to external regulation. Not complicated or expensive.

This will work. I bought an alternator that was not internally regulated, way back in 2002, that had the "plug n' play" plug in the body of the alternator to accommodate the MC-612 harness plug (I do have the MC-612). Otherwise you'd have to do what NewMoon suggests. If you do so, have them include the plug for simplicity, but it won't be built into the alternator body. Otherwise, you'd have to snip off the plug on the MC-612 harness and just connect the wires comin out of the back of the alternator. Make sure the shop tells you what the two wires are for, and label them before you forget.

[sailingharry]

The Wakespeed has a huge following, and The Yacht Rigger would love to sell you a Zeus. Both are massively more expensive than the Balmar.

The Balmar admittedly is a serious pain in the arse to program -- at least, I seem to recall it was, but since I did it in 2019 and it is a once-and-done thing, how much are you willing to pay to avoid that one-time pain?

Depending on your needs, you MAY find the Balmar limited in its capabilities compared to the more expensive choices. MAY. I have yet to upgrade to LFP, but I don't see the Balmar as having any limitations.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by sailingharry

The Balmar admittedly is a serious pain in the arse to program -- at least, I seem to recall it was, but since I did it in 2019 and it is a once-and-done thing, how much are you willing to pay to avoid that one-time pain?

Maine Sail suggests that you program it off the boat with a simple 12V power supply. He even has a handy dandy programming spreadsheet on his website: marinbehowto.com


If you install it in a reasonably accessible place it's not too hard.

[smac999]

Originally Posted by sailingharry

The Wakespeed has a huge following, and The Yacht Rigger would love to sell you a Zeus. Both are massively more expensive than the Balmar.

The Balmar admittedly is a serious pain in the arse to program -- at least, I seem to recall it was, but since I did it in 2019 and it is a once-and-done thing, how much are you willing to pay to avoid that one-time pain?

Depending on your needs, you MAY find the Balmar limited in its capabilities compared to the more expensive choices. MAY. I have yet to upgrade to LFP, but I don't see the Balmar as having any limitations.

balmar is 10x easier then the wakespeed. plus you can troubleshot a balmar. you can't troubleshot a non working wakespeed. can't even get to the wires with a voltmeter.

I still wish victron would make one. with easy bluetooth programming and alt data. so surprised they haven't yet.



it will work any any positive externally fielded alternator. most alternators are internally regulated and require conversion to external field. any alt shop should be able to convert any alt.

[wholybee]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Maine Sail suggests that you program it off the boat with a simple 12V power supply. He even has a handy dandy programming spreadsheet on his website: marinbehowto.com


If you install it in a reasonably accessible place it's not too hard.

Even with a spreadsheet, I find it isn't easy unless you have a second person. One looking at the spreadsheet reading out loud what to expect next, while the other stares at the LED display. If I look back and forth, inevitably I miss something flashing on the display, get lost, and it falls out of programming mode. Then I get to start over.

And then, even with two people I get tripped up because my brain interprets the meaning of what's displayed on the 7 segment LED differently than Balmar. I have programmed electronic devices using all sorts of archaic methods for decades, and seldom do I get lost and confused. But gawd the Balmar is the worst POS for setting up I have ever come across. At least use 2 read switches for a select/next function or a 5 digit LED, or 16 segment LEDs or SOMETHING to make it understandable to look at. It would almost be excusable if this were 1980. But the new 618 works the same way, unless you spend $$$$$ for the whole Balmar ecosystem.

Fortunately, it is something you usually only set once. I've updated mine for LFP, and helped a couple friends with theirs and dread it every time I look at the thing.

[svtickles]

Originally Posted by The Yacht Rigger

Also check out the new Arco Zeus, even more configuration options and bluetooth programming so you can program from a smartphone.
https://theyachtrigger.com/arco-zeus...tor-regulator/

Any Black Friday promotions?

I purchased my Rainman water maker from you.

[The Yacht Rigger]

Originally Posted by svtickles

Any Black Friday promotions?

I purchased my Rainman water maker from you.

Hey there, please email electrical@TheYachtRigger.com for enquiries about Zeus pricing, this is Steve typing this, I am all over the rigging and hardware dept.

And thanks for the Rainman purchase!