No Generator? No Problem! -- 215 Amp Electromaax Alternator and controller installation.

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[@davel9130]

One of the things I like most about your videos is you show all sides of the cruiser lifestyle. From the sight-seeing all the way to the get-your-hands-dirty side. I love it all.

[@VisionAssoc]

Einstein once said, “If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.”…Adam is a solutions man throughout!

[@keithayork1]

I've lived on a sailboat for over a year now while cruising from the Sea of Cortez down to Puerto Vallarta and back. In fact - I own two boats currently. Dammit. (Anyone want to buy a good boat in PV?). Yours is the only vlog I regularly watch because I find it more authentic. This life has been a lot more about getting the right boat (geeking out with John Kretschmer and Dick Beaumont) and getting the boat right (systems, hardware, sails, rigging, manuals, phone calls, 'experts', cussing, blah, blah) and brief moments of giddy brilliance as it all comes together into a good day sail or, even better, a passage. Adam - your patience and aptitude is inspiring if not a little intimidating. Khiara - you appear to be made of grit and ambition. I've just learned that you're not in the top 10 of sailing vlogs and I'm devastated. What can I do? Ok - I'll become a patron. What else?

[@zaneenaz4962]

Adam and Khiara are in my top 10.

[@marioborg2009]

Well done Adam, I also bought electromaax equipment, but I did not have good luck with it, the voltage and current were all over the place, and after many months of emails, they told me I was on my own. They kept telling me all their equipment was working as it should be, blaming the only & year old Trojan gel batteries. Then I got an excellent technician who bypassed the external regulator which worked as it should but was too high a voltage for the gel batteries, so at least we knew the alternator was good. Reconnected and after some more tests he found the alternator digital shant (not the same as yours mine came with the CSR Pro regulator)was defective. Contacted Electromaax but they refused to help, telling me that they are only a supply house. I ended up removing everything and recently installed a Sterling alternator to battery charger. Electromax I found out too late that the support is non-existent, will not deal with them any more I hope you have better luck then me Adam happy sailing.

[@clstjam4321]

Everyone needs a rocket scientist (Aerospace Engineer) like Adam on board to diagnose crap like this...lol

[@_pic_7571]

Well done Adam. I'm an electrician and I would have be scratching my head a bit on that one too. Glad to see you didn't sit down on it and thought it through. Hi Khiara. 😊👍

[@ckjjclan]

Jesus. You need a freaking degree in elec engineering just to go sailing. So impressed by both of your skills at dealing with everything going on….

[@alcooper944]

And herein lies the problem

[@jeffh5220]

Adam did engineering at uni I believe.

[@karaDee2363]

Not really, only the new breed of sailors today need all that technology to go sailing.... But mankind has sailed all the oceans for hundreds of years without any of it and survived...

[@johnmclachlan1023]

@@karaDee2363 you'd wonder how the Hiscocks, Pardeys et al ever managed.

[@ysesq]

@@karaDee2363 cruising in luxury is not the same as survival. i would be horrified if my boat shower did not provide hot water, my electric toilet didnt flush or my dishwasher broke. ancient sailors would be horrified if they couldnt reach land before their water supply ran out.

[@ronburton7090]

Interesting, informative episode. It sure helps to be an actual engineer to complete this upgrade. That and having an actual model as a partner who is unpretentious, has a smile that lights up the room and is not afraid to get her hands dirty to help......oh...and who puts up with all of the nerdy technical talk! 😀

[@annafraley5388]

Thought. You was going to leave the “Better Half”, Khiara Totally out of this complicated electronics video, Glade to see You added her in at 13:19 for a cameo though…!!😎👍👌👏🥳

[@markrabone6584]

Superbly informative video - watched it all and I don’t even have an alternator to fix … or a boat …

[@PaulBKal]

And you’re an engineer! This just makes me want to go full Pardy, with zero electrics!

[@JCrook1028]

Yea, have fun with that. Not for me that's for sure.

[@erents1]

Just when I thought I would simply replace my old alternator, I see your video and lose my mind! Nice work though, I am extremely impressed by your abilities (both of you) to make a substantial difference charging, within the confines of your existing engine compartment.

[@marcostreet3169]

Kudos for your persistence and knowledge. What ever led you to think about battery and alternator shunt resistance values and how did you resolve them? Congratulations on figuring it out.

[@greenbimoon]

On my Yacht I use Sanchem NO-OX-ID, (or any other good anti Ox battery grease), on any connectors. Even multi pin plugs I apply to keep the corrosion away. It works well on the spade connectors too.

[@MikeLoveBuns]

Enjoy sailboat ⛵️ video about installing equipment! 😘⛵️😀 Mike from Missouri

[@richardkaye2228]

What a fantastic video mate but looks far to complex to have on a live aboard boat , I’m in the process of fitting a delco remy 28si large case alternator with no external regulation and I would expect to see 100 amps at 12 volts continuous once warm , I’ve been charging my lithium direct from my current alternator for nearly 3 years now and 400 engine hours as a full time live aboard with no issues and no burnt out items , I’m also not a fan of those small case balmars , have a great day and thanks for the video.

[@ryanh4889]

I suggest using a high quality clamp on DC ammeter to confirm current flow through the shunts.

[@dalltm]

Electromaxx was quite a problem for our catamaran installation to include one of our alternators catching 🔥. The customer service would not talk on the phone and we had back and forth emails for 4 months to try and make things right (it was during 2020 and COVID 19) The ancillary equipment you went over is newer and and seems better than the cheap basement programer software and erector set electrical boxes provided to us.

[@gregvaughn4286]

Hey Adam, big thumbs up for figuring that out

[@rumblechick73]

It's a good thing I enjoy the sound of your voice because at about 15 seconds in, my brain said "oh hell no" and abandoned me completely. Which is par for the course when technology is involved for me. LOL

[@geodesy2009]

As long as you learn from the process and the trip from problem to solution continuously shortens, you’re on the right track. The orderly and analytical mind is the best tool you have on a boat. Well done Adam.

[@RoyClare]

Exceptional! Thank you!! 👌🏽💯😎

[@Tomm9y]

Whilst it is a lot of work to make these upgrades, the long term upside is that you have a lot of knowledge to manage the system. Many of these boat systems should be completely replaced periodically.

[@DiabloSpearguns]

Thanks for the informative video. Looks like quality equipment. Looking forward to researching more as i’m in process of a complete refit.

[@nonaparker564]

Bloody hell … you are amazing

[@KiwiSkipper]

Hi Team, Really pleased that you sorted the charging out ..but .. equally disappointed that Electromaax couldn't/wouldn't help with any back-up service. Whats the point of having fancy "dial-in" functions if they can't even answer the phone or reply to emails promptly. Watching the video, I was thinking .. excellent ...finally a proper setup that I could get for my yacht. Um .. nope !! Not with poor back up service ... or .. is that the way of the world now? I could taste your "contained" frustration .. sign of a well edited video K. Anyway .. stoked that you got it going.. I hope it lasts better than the previous alternators and controllers. I look forward to future episodes. cheers guys

[@tomnikles8810]

Amen. That alternator should not have failed at four years.

[@UUBrahman]

Well done.

[@DrJamez]

Very cool editing on this episode!

[@jefferyjeffery1707]

That's way cool!! I had a 62' custom yacht....that I was going all over the place doing high end charters. Taking 6 people out thru the islands for a week or more at a time. New England or Europe in the summer....back to the Caribbean for the winter. However....with a lot of people....electric demand was constantly high. FINELY..instead of no more tweeking....I got the biggest alternator I could get...250amps. And putting in a regulator rheostat...to keep the Amp out put high, even as the batteries charged. OH....sweet. Even put in an inverter to have 120v to run blenders...etc. But I did that a long time ago....your dial in computer monitoring.....S W E E T!!😳💕🤗

[@slick8086]

Great Trouble Shooting!!! Hopefully everything you figured out will remain the total of things needed to be figured out, and isn't it great that you did all this in nice weather at anchor and not in the middle of a storm during a crossing.

[@jaymacpherson8167]

Great analytical approach and memory Adam.

[@matthewhecht6580]

You two create amazing content.

[@hedleyjackson5131]

Great film well explained always thinking fixing sail boats is much like farming great deal of self reliance jack of all trades always up against weather pressure. Keep these coming please will be my harvest chill moments for a while.

[@zaneenaz4962]

ok found more of what i'm curious about here in this episode. The equipment and how it works or doesn't for you. Thanks

[@MrBobVick]

Adam for us in the US still using the British Standard F, when you said 120 degrees thought not bad for an alternator. Only later did I convert 120 C = 248F so quite a difference.

[@cbrey]

Forgive me if this is covered elsewhere, but what is the chemistry and amp hour rating of your house bank? Thanks, exceptionally well-done and informative video.

[@tomnash6252]

Blimey - we all need to dive in for a swim and a go for a beer after that! I assume they sent it for free so odd they didn’t support you.

[@jeremykamel9655]

You can always rebuild the old alternator, and put it on the shelf. New rectifier, brushes, bearings and clean up the corrosion on the case.

[@HandyMan657]

Excellent news, now I know who to call when I'm installing my system. Thanks, Adam. 🤙👍

[@scubaseas1]

It's always good if the smoke stays inside the wires. Good choice going to K frame/large frame alternator. If you are getting 98*C after an hour with 175 Amps you have a well cooled alternator. True test will be on a hot day with the engine closed up and running for three hours. If you find it gets over 98*C you can run a blower fan to the alternator and or do remote rectifier diodes. You can reduce the engine bay temps quite a bit with a 600cfm blower.

[@piercet]

That melting is possibly stray current electrolysis. I would check for stray current in your motor housing and everywhere else, and ground snd remediate as appropriate.

[@glassman51]

I love you guys and have been a long time follower, I only wish I had half the electrical skills that Adam has. So they take away from this is that Balmar sucks, Electro max is overly complicated and you have to be an electrical engineer to figure it out! Really wondering where to turn to figure out a new alternator/regulator set up to service my new lithium iron phosphate battery bank! The fun really never stops does it?🤣😂

[@2stepinfool]

Nice job figuring that out!

[@tomriley5790]

Great to see the installation and hope the new system works - just wondering though with so many altenator/controller problems is there a problem elsewhere with the system causing something to be overloaded?

[@mattsb99]

Just for curiosities sake, do you sail as much time as you do repairing? And I thought old houses were a problem. You are WAY more patient than me. I love your enthusiasm and persistence. Stay safe!

[@slick8086]

But just think, all that repairing is happening on a tropical island and not in some boring field in the middle of Oklahoma etc.

[@JCrook1028]

Most cruisers spend far more time at anchor than sailing so............... not sure what your point is.

[@baritonejp1]

I like this content. I also like your non do it yourself content. Good stuff all around 👏

[@jamesrhodes6462]

Well Done Lad.

[@HeyMichaelLeo]

OMG, I am an off gridder on land if Florida. I love ya'll and I love sailing. That said seems much more difficult to be self reliant on land.

[@Frindleeguy]

Sending your alternator to an engineer is a gamble 🤣 Looks real nice like though.

[@SailingOfka]

We are currently in the process of reorganizing our electrical installation from AGM to Litium. our current alternator has a power of 70, we want to increase it to 120. what else is worth paying attention to? our engine is a Volvo Penta 2003 model, which means it is about 40 years old.

[@chewybacchus5918]

17:36 Battery temp was 90 deg?or the alternator was 90 deg? Nice work btw👍

[@johnbode954]

Good job well done😊👍🇦🇺

[@fatasford]

Ahh you did it man

[@DannoFZ1]

Was tech support in the same time zone or 1/2 way around the world? Makes a big difference. I hope this equipment serves you well for years to come.

[@vernholmes7940]

I'm amped!

[@paulklebaum1682]

Well done!!👍👍❤️😃

[@wineguy47]

Are you familiar with Bill Gardens "Bolero" - I believe she is the inspiration for your boat. She is wooden and was in Seattle (Shilshole Marina) - I was there with another Garden (Puffin - a Vashon Island Cutter) - always admired Bolero - she was at the 2019 Port Townsend Wooden Boat show as was Puffin.

[@hoverjocki]

Do you have an update on how your alternator is doing and any issues with it?

[@user-ji2vk5ti9m]

I’ve heard of wiring corroding from the inside out over time on boats used in salt water causing intermittent issues. It was a nightmare on my friend’s boat. Hopefully, your wiring is sound.

[@karaDee2363]

That usually only happens to boats that have sunk...

[@zaneenaz4962]

@@karaDee2363 seen it in cars. check everything.

[@garyfroeschner2523]

good stuff

[@Lannie1948]

Impressive

[@huffinstuff]

Did the alternator run cooler?

[@curacao11]

great job mate :-)

[@jimh.5286]

Maybe you have some faulty, high-resistance connections or wires somewhere, throwing off the shunt amperage reading. You zeroed it out, but I still wonder. A bad circuit can appear to have little resistance, until it's subjected to a lot of current flow.

[@jimh.5286]

Another possible issue is that stainless steel connectors and washers, if you have any, are poor conductors under heavy load.

[@CaptainAustralia64]

How has this performed after a year?

[@eyeofchorus6313]

I wanted the girl to explain the process of the revs being put on the engine.

[@wineguy47]

Ryan E should be able to sort out you concerns.

[@dtrguy2707]

Brilliant! I have installed an even newer setup (but very similar) to yours. It’s the genmax 250 with the Pro-X with separate rectifier and custom serpentine belt pullies etc. Unfortunately after I got it all installed the engine spun a bearing and seized. 🫤working on rebuilding now. I went through a lot of what you did getting it to set up… I didn’t get to where you were and I need to check the output and get the settings dialed. I had a fully charged battery so it didn’t need to charge any. I expected to see it so it’s thing on the maiden voyage when the engine died. I do think the parts seem top quality but yes on some level support is maybe a little less supportive (unfortunately). Haven’t seen my system fulfill its use as yet though.

[@slowerpicker]

Not a sailor here, and I’m a little worried. Are you expected to hit a different hotspot for each boat system while underway? Engine, lights, nav, heading, weather, galley, autopilot, etc? Say it ain’t so.

[@hoverjocki]

Hello mate. Just curious after 11 months how is that alternator working out for you? Bought the exact same one but not installed it yet.

[@garyten13]

i would be very interested also, given the trouble with Balmar.

[@AaronKnipe]

can you pair the controller with an existing network so you dont have to network hop in order to check controller information?

[@ericfarrar6607]

Although it's not the most ecologically sensitive option, I would be comfortable with thinking that on your next crossing a couple alternators and charge controllers went overboard at the deepest point.

[@SailingwithScott]

While we love your packages, and enjoy all the technical talk by Adam, please, Khiara - we can't wait to see you until 13:15 in to the segment. Enjoy all your videos. Keep them coming!

[@Lordlindef]

Hi. I am locking for some like this in 24volt ore even 48 volt. Can you tell me the price and where to get em ?? Am a little BETWEEN this ore maby generator el engine on my gearbox for my to big of an diesel engine. This balmar is over priced and make much problem whit time. You feal this is a better one? Just wonder. Cos i love to go diesel hybrid electric thats gets lower cost then balmar anyway for me in europe

[@allanmoore7790]

Jeeez - How did Captain Cook sail around the world with only a sextant and a clock?

[@JCrook1028]

By having more sailors die than do nowadays.

[@STRUTZKOFF]

Put cold air vent to your alternator

[@chaunceywilliams8405]

Got it. Let's turn the page.

[@joecucch8261]

Just keep chanting... Electricity will set me free... and everything will be just fine.

[@davehayes8812]

Wait a minute... Did you just go all Fahrenheit on us? "the battery was a consistent 90 degrees"

[@phil_j_c]

A small fact if you did not know. For approx every 25amps of current produced it takes 1hp(horse power) from the engine.. So obviously 200amps will use 8hp.... Well done with the fitment procedure..

[@gman3725]

You mentioned not having internet out at sea. Starlink will solve this and apparently at a reasonable cost.

[@Mike-uc1eu]

I am led to believe, $10,000 upfront equipment cost, $5000 per month for service. Not in the budget for most cruisers. Seems to be targeted for commercial users and super yachts

[@KiwiSkipper]

also .. no point in having the interconnectivity with the alternator company ..if they can't even answer emails and provide little service. Really sad to hear they approached adam with a solution but then dumped them with back-up service

[@riffseeks10s46]

Seriously considered this alternator and controller for my boat but was dissuaded by the lackluster reviews. Apparently your experience of little customer service help is their mantra. I called the company and since I was a prospect that very quick and enthusiastic response. But judging from the reviews I read, the product is not properly supported and certainly not in respect to its cost.

[@Invertmini1212]

How much sailing vs repairing are you doing ahah?

[@JCrook1028]

Marine environment is rough on just about everything. Just a fact of life.

[@dwtrksvc]

Resistivity? You mean resistance?

[@yardarm5]

In summery…. Hang in not up

[@vandalorian8777]

Remind me not to get this from the company that reached out to offer a solution that required an electrical degree to install and had no customer service.

[@hycron1234]

4:59 - S t a r l i n k .

[@thomasthornton5737]

😊👍👍

[@trevhedges]

Cheers guys! Can you head over to KZbin sailing channels (Facebook group) it’s the one with 29.5k members, we are running a Competition at the moment, Best channel under 200k subscribers and your channel is currently winning with 9% of the votes.. thanks again, hope to see you over there?

[@rayjay1770]

The new alternator is black which will radiate heat better.

[@michaelbaumgartner6582]

i want Khiara back...

[@Stephan_01]

♥️♥️🥰🥰

[@ronparr6799]

you must be an electrical engineer

[@kyoni6098]

All those Wifi components... 🤯 I have not heard it happen yet, but it's just a question of time until pirates collaborate with criminal hackers to mess up all your electronic configurations and easily take over your boat because all those electronics suddenly went crazy. Add Wifi extenders to the mix and you can't even "go dark": switching off lights and AIS is cute... but wifi can be tracked, too. Wifi Passwords are just for good conscience... the security mechanisms were broken long ago... there's a reason why all companies tell their employees to _never ever_ use public wifi. And home wifis get hacked constantly (takes 5 minutes max).

[@chrisallen6791]

I believe, @Alex Kyoni that there's actually already a whole industry around data security on superyachts

[@portfoliofotoz]

Uhmmm . . . could you do that episode again, in English?

[@colinboniface194]

It looks like a first class system, except the average plonker would have no idea how to overcome the issues you were faced with... Sometimes, really trick is a handicap...

[@jonhalas2306]

Brainiack for sure

[@brownnoise357]

Very disappointing to me about Balmar kit. For the money they charge, they need to be a LOT better built than that imho. Bob. 😔

[@geirskjo]

I do hope you put a password on that wifi ;) otherwise someone in the boat next door is going to have fun ;)