Upgrading Your Boat's Alternator and Regulator - Part 2 of 2 | Ep. 57

[@agusus]

Great job explaining things so clearly and I'm impressed you were able to operate the reed switch and camera while keeping the manual in frame as well so we could follow along!

[@LifeFourPointZero]

Thanks Patrick, glad you liked it. I'm a one man band so you learn to be creative!

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Thanks for making these videos. I am about to install 2 x Balmar 618 Regulators on our 2 Yanmar 4jh57 Engines with Valeo 125amp Alternators. As I am running dual alternators I am also installing a Balmar centrefielder unit to combine both regulators into one feed . This video has been great. All the best .Ross.

[@LifeFourPointZero]

Glad it was helpful Ross. I understand that Balmar centerfielder is a great product too. Good luck with your setup.

[@tracyoliver550]

We are in exactly the same situation but are concerned of reports if failed Valeo alts after the modification. Perhaps they aren’t as robust as Balmar thought. How are yours holding up? Thanks

[@bakrob99]

Thanks so much for this and the 1st video. Exactly what I was looking for to help me install a Balmar MC614 into my 2016 Yanmar

[@LifeFourPointZero]

You are very welcome! It is pretty straightforward and I'm glad to hear you and others are meeting with success.

[@nixxonnor]

This and the other videos from LifeFourPoint Zero are exact, detailed, accurate and very useful, to the point instruction videos. It seems very strange that it has been watched only 1654 times. It may be because the topic is very specific. Nevertheless, two thumbs up :D

[@LifeFourPointZero]

Thanks nixxon glad you enjoyed it!

[@fheflin21]

Thank you so much for doing this. It was a huge help for me to have it laid out so well. Cheers!

[@LifeFourPointZero]

Happy it was a help!

[@joeymcmanus448]

Great video.. there is something about your voice Tom that is soothing and easy to listen to

[@LifeFourPointZero]

Appreciate it Joey

[@t147han]

Very good.enjoyed watching you complete this task over 2 video,s.I then looked up this system,and was shocked at the price.

[@LifeFourPointZero]

Glad you liked the videos. Yes, they are expensive, but the smart ready retrofit kit, compared to a new high output alternator, saves you a least a couple of hundred $'s. And the external regulator is a necessity if you want to get the proper lifetime out of your battery bank. You might look for a package deal as well. Good luck!

[@t147han]

@@LifeFourPointZero I do like electronics being added.But im always seeing problems being caused by electronics going faulty and causing a lot more damage.I did see a video of a victron develope a fault.and it destroyed the battery bank.victron would only replace the unit,and would not cover the bank on the guarantee.I dont know what happend later.But myself.I would have taken victron to court.I would ask myself can that unit destroy my battery bank if developes a fault.and put a secondary safe guard after the unit to cut off the supply.To the bank.

[@t147han]

@@LifeFourPointZero This is to protect the alternator .not the battery bank.I have watched the victron video on this.It also states that something else is needed to protect the regulator.Because the smart charger switches off charging,then your expencive regulator will break.Seems the plot thickens.

[@cornelisvanderbent2092]

Great videos, thanks a lot. But what is that 'ignition wire' exactly and why did you leave the ignition connection on the alternator empty?

[@LifeFourPointZero]

Hi Cornelis. You might want to watch my companion video (part 1 of 2) on installing the Balmar retrofit kit for the alternator as it will clarify that ignition wire. That retrofit kit device does not need engine ignition voltage to work. Effectively, you are moving the regulator mechanism out of the innards of the alternator to an external device, the Balmar MC614/ARS-5, and running ignition voltage to that device to power it on only when the engine is powered on. Hope that helps!

[@cornelisvanderbent2092]

@@LifeFourPointZero Thanks for your quick & personal reply. The phase that this ignition connection is simply for powering (on) the Balmar controller helps a lot. I'm rather technical, but never did things with engines. Making changes to or tapping the engine harness still feel rather uncomfortable, also because I don't want my engine to stop working or get problems later on. I'll watch your other video. Have a great weekend!

[@LifeFourPointZero]

@@cornelisvanderbent2092 you’re very welcome!

[@playb4work447]

Good stuff.

[@LifeFourPointZero]

Thanks playb4work!

[@joshgilbert6560]

Was this a Belmar alternator or just the original one that came with the boat?

[@LifeFourPointZero]

No it's the stock yanmar one, made by valeo. But it's been tested apparently by balmar to be strong enough for steady high output. That's why they make the retro fit kit for it.