Choose an Alternator

[mestrezat]

I'm looking for an alternator for my sailboat. My engine is big enough to handle a 110 amp alternator with no problem. My Heart 3 stage regulator is a "P" type so it will work with a good sized alternator.

I know this is an open ended question, but I'd like some suggestions as to what boaters are using out there and why they chose what they chose. My wife and I live aboard and have been out cruising for the last two years. So far, we've had no problem keeping up with our needs but as with most things, bigger would make keeping the batteries charged in as short a time as possible.

[Efraim]

Here is an excellent discussion on alternators from this very forum no less.

[CAELESTIS]

Don't waste your money on a Balmar. They are simply repackaged and repainted Leese-Neville alternators. Balmar DOES NOT MAKE ALTERNATORS.

For the 140amp @24v alt I installed--Balmar-$1600(list, $1250 discounted), Leese Neville-$450. You can review the specifications online and realize they are identical.

[Pete the Cat]

I had a Powerline (sold through Ample Power and others) 105 amp that I put a 2000 hours on in the tropics in a very hot engine box and had no problems. Drove an Ample Power Smart regulator to charge 440 ah of golf cart batteries. Never had a problem. Agree that Balmar is much over priced but very nicely painted. Apparently you understand that you may have to rewire some of these if they have N internal regulators?? Not hard to do.