external regulator for two alternators

[chrisr]

hi all

we are in the process of re-commissioning 2 x powerline 190 amp alternators (one on port main engine & one on stb me), however have struck a snag

the existing next step regulator seems to be kaput and looks like ample power have gone out of biz (??), so we are struggling to find a replacement external regulator - one that can cope with 2 alternators

does anyone have any suggestions please ?

thanks in advance

cheers,

[smac999]

buy 2 balmars.

[mlydon]

Balmar center fielder in combination with 2 Balmar regulators- it’s made for exactly that purpose….

Matt

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by mlydon

Balmar center fielder in combination with 2 Balmar regulators- it’s made for exactly that purpose….

Matt

thanks. so that would be this
https://www.westmarine.com/balmar-ce...-12033007.html
plus 2 of these
https://www.westmarine.com/balmar-ma...-12032991.html

??

question : if the MC-612 dual is designed for dual alternators on a single engine, wonder if it can be used for dual alternators on seperate engines ? ie save one regulator ??

cheers,

[chrisr]

no-one has anything else to add ??

cheers,

[goboatingnow]

You don’t really need a dual capable regulator. Each alternator can have its own and they can be paralleled to charge batteries without all real issues.

[Ballsnall]

Originally Posted by chrisr

no-one has anything else to add ??
cheers,

Balmar advise dual alternator on single engine. It might be possible but I really think you are better of with separate regulators, good for redundancy and also when motor sailing you will generally be only running one engine at a time anyway.

What did you want to achieve with a single regulator for both engines?

[sailingharry]

I have two power line alternators on my single engine. When I installed the second alternator, I reached out to Walmart and asked about using one regulator on two alternators. They said that would be fine. The regulators are good for over 10A, which is more than two alternators draw. It has the collateral benefit of ensuring that both put out an exactly identical percentage of their output, you won't end up with one doing 75% and when doing 25%.

I used that combination for over 3,,000 miles in 4 months last year, so I was definitely hammering them hard. No issues at all.

I have now inherited a brand new regulator from my father, and so I have split them apart. Only two reasons to do that, even with a free regulator. The first is somewhat important, and that is the ability to sense temperature on both alternators (previously, I only used a temperature sensor on one alternator). The other is redundancy, with two installed and running, I could always take one regulator and power both alternators again if necessary.

If cost and space are an issue, and they always are, one regulator works quite well.

[sailingharry]

Originally Posted by Ballsnall

Balmar advise dual alternator on single engine. It might be possible but I really think you are better of with separate regulators, good for redundancy and also when motor sailing you will generally be only running one engine at a time anyway.



What did you want to achieve with a single regulator for both engines?

My previous response on using a single regulator on two alternators absolutely assumes one engine. As you point out, with separate engines, that is less than ideal. If you use a single regulator on alternators on separate engines, you will excite the field on both alternators, even if one of them is not turning. You also have wiring issues to try and figure out how to ignition switches can activate one regulator.

[s/v Jedi]

To be clear: use one regulator for starboard engine and a second one for port engine. Let them work completely independent, no additional gear required.

For 12V, the Balmar 618 is great: https://balmar.net/multi-stage-regulators/

[chrisr]

thanks to all for input

any suggestions for best online source please ? westmarine seems expensive ?

cheers,

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by chrisr

thanks to all for input

any suggestions for best online source please ? westmarine seems expensive ?

cheers,

For 12V: https://www.defender.com/product3.js...953&id=7488292

[smac999]

Originally Posted by chrisr

thanks. so that would be this
https://www.westmarine.com/balmar-ce...-12033007.html
plus 2 of these
https://www.westmarine.com/balmar-ma...-12032991.html

??

question : if the MC-612 dual is designed for dual alternators on a single engine, wonder if it can be used for dual alternators on seperate engines ? ie save one regulator ??

cheers,

No because it’t can’t tell if only one engine / alt is running

The center fielder is a nice add on. But it’s not needed to make them work

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

To be clear: use one regulator for starboard engine and a second one for port engine. Let them work completely independent, no additional gear required.



For 12V, the Balmar 618 is great: https://balmar.net/multi-stage-regulators/

Correct +1 i said so a few posts above you too

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

For 12V: https://www.defender.com/product3.js...953&id=7488292

good advice, thanks !

defender = $295.19 v west marine $399.99

cheers,