I saw on my spare 175 amp alternator that is has a label stating for use on
Cummins diesels.

Cummins diesels are used in commercial trucks and power plants. My
alternator fellow ( second generation) says that a constant output of 28.5
volts is not a problem as trucks run for days and power plants work for
months without burning up their battery banks.



I will stick with Amels original idea of the stock alternator. As I
previously said, I had no problem with it for 4 years and I motored a lot. I
believe my problem is the charger.



I get new batteries Monday and will keep you posted. I also leave the boat
hooked into shore power for weeks at a time some times. I believe that was
part of my problem. I am discontinuing this practice.

Fair Winds

Eric

Amel Super Maramu #376 Kimberlite





_____

From: amelyachtowners@...
[mailto:amelyachtowners@...] On Behalf Of seafeverofcuan
Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2013 10:24 AM
To: amelyachtowners@...
Subject: [Amel] Re: 175 amp alternator on SM-burned up battery bank.





Dear Alan and Richard,
Thank you both for you help. I now have a reply from Dolphin stating that my
original chargers are fine but suggesting that things have moved on and
promoting their Dolphin Pro series!
Specification and information on Leece Neville alternator regulator model
8RL 3021 has proven impossible to find other than the manufacturer upgraded
them from 2006 to stop customers self adjusting them.
In the final analysis I am always reluctant to change anything that was
designed and fitted by Amel. I think that Richard is correct with upgrading
to a smart charger when availability finances allow and replacing with lead
acid batteries.
Kind regards,
Trevor

Sea Fever
SM 425
Mexico

--- In amelyachtowners@...
<mailto:amelyachtowners%40yahoogroups.com> , "alan_leslie_elyes_sm2k"
<divanz620@...> wrote:

Hi Trevor,

At 28.1-28.6V you are probably OK...its when it stays at 28.8V for days

that I think there is a problem re gassing the batteries and ultimately
battery failure

But WHY your alt puts out 28.1-28.6V is a bit of a mystery when the

standard internal reg is set for 28.8

The Dolphin chargers re SMART chargers, I don't know why the 30 and 100 A

docs would be different...its really a case of whether or not the charger
can keep up with the load imposed on it.

As to why Amel didn't buy an externally regulated alt to put in the

Maramus...well...my only thought is that they didn't understand well how
batteries need to be charged

BUT, having said that, the system we have is perfectly OK..UNLESS we motor

for long periods...like I did..54 hours last week.

I don't agree that it's a "black art"..I think that there is a lot of

"bad" information out there.

I have more than 15 years experience with different alternators, chargers,

batteries, in different boats and I think I understand the best way to do
it...and that is DEFINITELY NOT to have a 28.8V internal reg in the
alternator !

Hence I am trying to find a way to externally reg this 175A beast that we

have, properly !

Cheers
Alan
Elyse
SM#437

--- In amelyachtowners@...

<mailto:amelyachtowners%40yahoogroups.com> , "seafeverofcuan"
<seafeverofcuan@> wrote:

Hi Eric,
I was hoping that you would post your findings re. you alternator. We

are now at the bottom of The Sea of Cortez and hope to get some good
technical help in Mazatlan next week. For now we are running on four
remaining house batteries. The alternator has been putting out between 28.1
volts to 28.6 volts the remaining batteries have not overheated.

I have the original Dolphin instruction paperwork from 2004. The 30amp

charger should boost at 27.7 volts and float at 26.5, the 100amp boost 28.8
and float at 27.2.

However both pieces of paper ( and that is literally what came with the

boat) state

"The charger system will revert to boost when the battery system

requirements equal 50% of the charger rated output"

My reading of this is that in our case with twelve house batteries

giving 630 amps at 24 volts then the 30 amp reverts to boost when the
batteries drop below 97% of total capacity.

My 30amp charger now only produces 27.3 volts, I have asked Reya for

advice and haven't had a reply as yet.

I suspect the answer lies in a total replacement of both chargers with a

smart charger and of course a new set of batteries. From everything that I
have been reading, common sense would indicate AGM and completely disconnect
them when leaving the boat for long periods.

The entire subject is a black art and I suspect in my case choices will

be heavily influenced by what is available in Mexico.

Best regards,
Trevor
Sea Fever





--- In amelyachtowners@...

<mailto:amelyachtowners%40yahoogroups.com> , Sailorman <kimberlite@> wrote:

I had my alternator checked at a very excellent alternator shop and

the

owner showed me what happens as it runs. There is no internal

regulation.

However he said as the battery becomes more charged the resistance of

the

bank increases and the alternator puts out less and less amps . It has

a

constant output of about 28.5 volts. He said the Balmar smart

regulator is a

waste of money -and he sells them.





I had no problems with this alternator with my first set of batteries

for 4

years. I only changed the batteries after a lightning strike.



My current burned out battery bank must have been caused by the

charger. I

will test it when I get my new batteries next week.

Fair Winds

Eric

Amel Super Maramu #376 Kimberlite




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