Can I Use an External Regulator With Any Marine Alternator?

Thank you, Daryl, for an excellent question! "Jeff, I have a Yanmar engine with a 55 amp alternator.
Can this alternator be used with an external regulator? Does the alternator need to have some conversion done to it before connecting an external regulator? Do all marine alternators work with an external regulator?"
Read our Tech Talk Article, "Advice on Improving Alternator Ouptut?", www.pysystems.ca/resources/bo...
Check out the PYS website for more information on alternators, www.pysystems.ca/shop/power/a...
SUBSCRIBE to the PYS UA-cam Channel
ua-cam.com/users/PacificY...
Sign up for the NEWSLETTER confirmsubscription.com/h/r/2...
Follow Us:
/ pacificyachtsystems
/ pacificyachtsystems
/ pysystems

[@BingoDingo-nv3gk]

Hi Jeff, could you please do an alternator conversion tutorial to convert an alternator to external regulator? I'm sureit would be helpful to lots of handy boaters as well. Thanks love the videos. Al

[@goodq]

Just want to say thank you for all the videos Jeff.

[@mpb9671]

I have been following you for years (and dropping your site across other channels) hope you keep publishing your videos
They are extremely insightful and eye opening
I have been wanting to do add an external regulator for years since you first talked about 4 years ago (yeah nothing like procrastinating) , I am going to do it.
One question
On my 1978 Islander 32, I have a beta Beta Marine BD722 with a 70ah alternator.
I recently purchased a Sterling Power USA Pro Alt C Alternator to Battery Charger 12V 130A
Can I still add the Balmar MC 614 you referenced ?
Thank you

[@dadzilla007]

Given external regulators were common in older cars, 70s and prior, how are marine regulator units diffrent?

[@tlgibson97]

Does the Balmar regulators protect the alternator when the Lithuim BMS shuts the battery off or do you need a separate alternator protector? I just switched to Lithium but my engine has two alternators, one charging start and one charging house banks. My current alternators are internally regulated so instead of having both alternators go to the AGM start bank then charge the Lithium house bank from there I am looking at just replacing the house alternator with Balmar 250A and regulator. I just need to make sure it is well protected.

[@sjhere710]

How best to prevent overcharging a old fashion lead acid or AGM battery if the engine & alternator is kept running for very very long (imagine 2-3 days with zero wind and you have to use the engine continuously) - won’t keeping LA & AGMs batteries at 14.4 V for so long damage these batts?

[@brianjohnson8967]

I wish Jeff would explain why Wakespeed is not superior to any voltage sensing regulator as it used both current and voltage for control ??

[@iainmenzies5803]

Is that the same case when adding a DCtoDC charger?

[@JohnBraman413]

is it safe running the engine idling to charge batteries? or will the long idling cause engine issues down the road?

[@NeverEnoughPyro40]

@JohnBraman413 Alternators do not put out a lot of amps at lower speeds or at idle!