Balmar MC-618 and Smart Phone App

[sv.antea]

I have a 100A P type alternator, Balmar MC-614, Victron BMV-702 battery monitor with the associated shunt, all nicely installed. Worked great for the past 13 years. The potting on the MC-614 have long since all cracked up. Today I destroyed it. Must have gotten a drop of water on it as I was cleaning under it and it seemed to come on even though the engine, the ignition, even the alternator cut off switch was off. So I hit the internet to see what the latest version of Balmar MC-61x voltage regulator is.
The MC-618 suggested the regulator can be monitored and programmed via Bluetooth Smart Phone App. That would sweeten the deal for me. But further internet search would suggest that to get the smart phone app functionality, I would have to buy and install Balmar battery monitor besides the Bluetooth gizmo. Any chance I could make it work with my existing system?

[Stu Jackson]

Have you researched at the source? www.balmar.net

[wholybee]

I would seriously consider a wakespeed or arco zeus. IMHO the 618 is a fail. It's just a minor update to a 1980's design, and the newer regulators are much more modern.

[sv.antea]

thanks Stu, somehow missed that forum in my seach. And wholybee, those look grea but way out of my budget. I may have to stick with Balmar and crawl under the dinette table to do the set-up. Got spoiled by my Victron Smart Solar I can pull up on my phone. (that unit is also under the dinette table).

[sleepy]

has anybody used the balmar alt protection module??

[sv.antea]

so, no solution for my Balmar MC-618 and Smartphone app forthcoming. But I got lucky with my MC-614, did crawl under the table with a flashlight and spied some fuzoo neatly bridging the terminals of the regulator. Said fuzoo moistened, was slightly shorting them. Removed fuzoo and voila, $400+ saved. I hope the replacement options will be better in the future, if the unit fails for real.

[s/v Jedi]

My fingers itch to build and program a regulator myself… if only there was more time

[CharlieJ]

Pro Tip:
Don't stand on your head to program a Balmar. Program the regulator on a workbench or table!

For a 12VDC Balmar 618: attach 12VDC B+ to tabs #2, #3 and #9. Attach B- to tab #1 and program the regulator in relative comfort.