[Amel Yacht Owners] Re: Leece-Neville 175 Amp Alternator
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Ian Shepherd
Hello Alan, my solar panels also deliver 28.8V to my house batteries for long periods of time. However the charge regulators ensure that no current is flowing until needed. When the controllers sense a need for a top up charge they allow a 5 amp charge for a few seconds only. This is good for the batteries and is similar to the way that recovery chargers work. I tried to avoid motoring whenever possible, but when doing so, I
have monitored the charge output from the Leece-Neville
alternator. When the house bank is charged, the alternator output
current is zero, a similar situation to the solar panels taking
control of charging. My 12 house batteries will be 4 years old in
October, and so far all the state indicators are in the green. It is true that Leece-Neville have a new regulator for our
generator, but as far as I can see, I don't think I have a
problem. I agree with Eric that batteries can dry out, particularly in hot climates. However I have yet to find a way to 'break in' to my sealed batteries. Thank you for your suggestion Alan. I will take a look in the files section at the modification. I guess that a regulator capable of handling 175 amps is going to expensive? Kind regards Ian SM2K 414 (2003) 'Crusader' Cyprus On 06/06/2017 11:39, divanz620@...
[amelyachtowners] wrote:
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sailormon <kimberlite@...>
Ian, The top of my batteries were covered with a big label. Once I cut the label. About 1/3 of the top of the battery was the cover of all the 6 cells.. I put a very large screwdriver under the lip of the cover and popped the entire cover off. Take a close look at the top of the battery, they had to fill the battery somehow when it was made. Fair Winds Eric Kimberlite Amel Super Maramu #376
From: amelyachtowners@... [mailto:amelyachtowners@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2017 3:02 AM To: amelyachtowners@... Subject: Re: [Amel Yacht Owners] Re: Leece-Neville 175 Amp Alternator
Hello Alan, my solar panels also deliver 28.8V to my house batteries for long periods of time. However the charge regulators ensure that no current is flowing until needed. When the controllers sense a need for a top up charge they allow a 5 amp charge for a few seconds only. This is good for the batteries and is similar to the way that recovery chargers work. I tried to avoid motoring whenever possible, but when doing so, I have monitored the charge output from the Leece-Neville alternator. When the house bank is charged, the alternator output current is zero, a similar situation to the solar panels taking control of charging. My 12 house batteries will be 4 years old in October, and so far all the state indicators are in the green. It is true that Leece-Neville have a new regulator for our generator, but as far as I can see, I don't think I have a problem. I agree with Eric that batteries can dry out, particularly in hot climates. However I have yet to find a way to 'break in' to my sealed batteries. Thank you for your suggestion Alan. I will take a look in the files section at the modification. I guess that a regulator capable of handling 175 amps is going to expensive? Kind regards Ian SM2K 414 (2003) 'Crusader' Cyprus
On 06/06/2017 11:39, divanz620@... [amelyachtowners] wrote:
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Hello Ian,
The regulator doesn't carry the 175 Amps, it just tells the alternator what to do. The current comes from the alternator. Any 3-stage regulator can control any alternator. The regulkator just modulates the field current in the alternator which dermines the alternator's output. The current that flows, no matter where it comes from, into the batteries, is dependent on the current acceptance capacity of the batteries, up to the limit of the device delivering the current. We have AGM batteries which have a much higher acceptance rate than flooded LA batteries, so if you don;t have AGMs then the limitations of the current rating of the Leece Neville alternator may not be an issue, but its built-in single stage voltage regulator will be if you use it for a long time. Cheers Alan Elyze SM437 |
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Bill & Judy Rouse <yahoogroups@...>
Yes, there are differing opinions on this subject and hopefully, Eric, it is not WWIII. And I believe that you have to be especially careful when you say, "I do not believe that the alternator needs a 3 stage regulator." And also when we discuss the "Battery Bank" without clarifying the type of batteries. I always like to check with the closest person to the source to get the best informed answer. Based on what I learned from the Chief Engineer at Leece Neville, the regulator is in the Super Maramu alternator is perfect for 8-12 100-115 amp hour deep cycle flooded batteries, but not nearly as good for other types like AGM batteries. So, Henri Amel picked the best most problem free alternator for the batteries he installed...BUT, when you change the type of the batteries, you change that equation. The Chief Engineer strongly suggested a smart regulator added to the Leece Neville when I was thinking about AGM Batteries. I have found the almost all of the electricians I have talked to agree that 28.5 volts with almost zero amps will do absolutely no harm to a flooded battery bank. Voltage is NOT Current. Most of us will continue to do the things we have done as long as we are satisfied with the results...me too! And most of us do not compare alternatives when we are satisfied AND when it is something that we feel we do not fully understand...me too! So, Henri Amel's battery/alternator design in the Super Maramu is correct...but, when you start changing components and/or parameters, everything changes. I believe what I was told by Leece Neville and I am really glad Amel picked them. If you doubt it just ask any Amel 54 owner if they have ever changed their alternator. The 54 does not have Leece Neville and I think more than half have been changed. Best, CW Bill Rouse Admiral, Texas Navy Commander Emeritus Amel School www.amelschool.com 720 Winnie St Galveston Island, TX 77550 +1(832) 380-4970 On Wed, Jun 7, 2017 at 7:45 AM, divanz620@... [amelyachtowners] <amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.
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Well said Bill, but I have to disagree about the batteries being held at 28.8 V for long periods of time.
14.4 V is the gassing voltage for a 12 volt battery and holding the 24V bank at 28.8V for long periods of time will cause the batteries to lose electrolyte through gassing. If this electrolyte is not replaced the batteries will be damaged. Cheers Alan Elyse SM437 |
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