Public Discussion Forum

Hi Greg,

At survey we had a squeak on the alternator, initial thought was belt needed tightening, but after checking it was determined that alternator was overheating and bearings failing. Mechanic changed out to our spare, all appeared good and engine rpm increased, at which point alternator overheated and seized. Had an electrician onboard who diagnosed failing M624, we replaced. Balmar alternators were obsolete and had to be sent to West Coast for rebuild, we elected to go with the Arco, no regrets so far.

Phil Davies

Asante 5334

Greg,

I did not mean to make a marketing post. I am participating here as a individual Selene owner with certain experience gained from running a service compnay. I do deal with the alternators as well and can try to offer any information/assistance on that.

The 24v Arco alternator is great. Arco has hundreds in service and they seem to be doing well. They sell a "LTO" version as well that gives higher output at low RPM. The QSL9 is a slow turning torque monster so this may be a good application for the LTO version but of course pulley size can make the alternator turn faster as well. My QSL9 has a "large case" Balmar 95-series 24v/140a. The pulley ratio on mine is currently 2.9. I think the original OEM Cummins pulley ratio was 2.7. We would ahve to look at spec sheets and pulley options to dial in alternator RPM to optimize either the regular or LTO version.

There is an argument to consider keeping a workhorse heavy duty large case alternator vs. a high strung, high output small case like the Arco. For example I can probably pump 100a all day all night from the large case 140a alternator without it breaking a sweat. The Arco 24v is rated at 284a peak, 220a sustained but can you really get that without some kind of dedicated forced air cooling? The good news is that paired with the excellent regulator we just take either alternator to 95C or maybe 100C if you want to push it and output is regulated by alternator temp.

Most of the time if a trawler motor is started it is going ot run a while (hours). We don't use alternators like some of our sailboat friends without a genset who have to run the alternator for primary charging and want as fast as possible during that first hour or two of run time.

What alternator is there now?

Hi Greg,

On the alternator side we replaced our Balmar large case with an Arco 4403 alternator 24V 4kW LTO DF4, Side Battery Post, Isolated Ground on our John Deere. We’ve been extremely pleased with the performance. We are still using the Balmar M624 external regulator as this was brand new, replaced after it destroyed the Balmar alternator!

Brgds

Phil Davies

Asante 5334

Richard,

I sell and install many Zeus regulators. They are excellent. After working with a Zeus the Balmar MC624 seems like it is made for cave men.

I personally do not have a Zeus alternator (because boat already had big large case Balmar) but we have used them and they are also excellent. The heat shedding capability on their small case units is among the best we have seen other than alternators with the rectifier diodes remote.

In most cases I buy the Zeus part number (AZ1000X) that has the long 30ft alternator harness. This way the regualtor can be installed nicely at some appropriate location well off the motor. THere is no reason to have it hanging on the motor or adjacent where subject to heat/vibration and in the way of maintenance. The balmar regulator on mine was on a plate mounted to the engine block. Hot, vibrating, subject to fluids, in the way of wrenching.

Yes it shoudl be installed with alternator shunt especially if you are putting it into a Victron ecosystem which works very nicely.

There literally is no downside. It is such an upgrade especially if you are doing all your energy management with a Cerbo GX. Adding the Zeus just brings it into the fold as far as intelligent charge management/visibility.

I would keep your Balmar alternator and upgrade to the Zeus (this is exactly what I did when I did my Victron system.)

I'm debating whether I should replace my old Balmar MC624 regulator with a new Zeus regulator and would like some feedback from those who have. For now I would keep my Balmar 220A alternator. Specific questions are:

1. Are you happy with it overall?
2. Do you also have a Zeus alternator?
3. Where did you locate the regulator?
4. Did you get the longer harness or shorter one? Did you extend it?
5. Did you install the alternator shunt?
6. Did you integrate that into the Victron ecosystem?

Very interested in getting your feedback.

Richard Nye

Untethered, 57-22

https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/MV_Untethered/