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Looking for 32v Voltage Regulators

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by AlKi, Mar 31, 2014.

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  1. AlKi, Mar 31, 2014
    #1
    AlKi

    AlKi New Member

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    Looking for 32 volt voltage regulators. Balmar stopped making them and Ample Power hasn't responded. New or used OK.
  2. NYCAP123, Mar 31, 2014
    #2
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I feel your pain. It's getting impossible to find anything 32v. I just found out the other day that it's no longer possible to get the small 15w/32v light bulbs. For what you're looking for I'd recommend checking with Sam's Marine.
  3. Capt Ralph, Mar 31, 2014
    #3
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    On a Delco Alternator? How many you need?
  4. Capt J, Apr 1, 2014
    #4
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Yeah, you're going to have to convert to LED's and go room by room and save the old bulbs for replacements in other rooms. You have to get LED's rated for 10-36 volts, the cheaper ones are not.
  5. NYCAP123, Apr 1, 2014
    #5
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Thanks for the education Capt J. Been looking into that.
  6. Marmot, Apr 1, 2014
    #6
    Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    Go to Voltage Regulators and look at the MC-632.

    Evidently Balmar doesn't get enough call for 32V systems anymore but has a modification of their 24V regulator for use on 32V installations.
  7. ILELBOAT, Apr 1, 2014
    #7
    ILELBOAT

    ILELBOAT New Member

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    Has any one had any experiance bumping up to 36 volt? Although I have not done it yet it seams like a no brainer. Bump up the regulators. install 3 12v batterys. and go???
    Boat Batterys don't operate cold so charging 32v @ 38v. 36v at 40v? I'm just thinking of the days when it was common to bump a 6volt car up to 8volt for easyer starting.
    ILELBOAT
  8. Capt J, Apr 1, 2014
    #8
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    warm white or 2700K (light color) would be closest in appearance to a normal light bulb (incandescant) or halogen
  9. Capt Ralph, Apr 1, 2014
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Was ALKI looking for led voltage drivers or alternator voltage regulators?
  10. Capt J, Apr 1, 2014
    #10
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    We're efficient over here at Yachtforums......Marmot already answered his question.......so time to change the subject.....hehehe.....j/k..... I guess the thread drift might've been rude, but on the same 32v topic
  11. AlKi, Apr 2, 2014
    #11
    AlKi

    AlKi New Member

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    I will be back to the boat this weekend to see if the alternators are Delco. They have been rewound to put out 100 amps. Are these regulators "smart" like Balmar or one voltage? BTW, the Balmar MC-632's that I have been using are not very robust. I've gone through 9 or 10 of them in the past 15 years. The last two spares I had were defective when I installed them. They were new when they went into the spares drawer. Vibration? Heat? Awaiting a call back from "Tom" at Balmar to re-verify that they do not make them anymore nor have any more in stock.
  12. AlKi, Apr 2, 2014
    #12
    AlKi

    AlKi New Member

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    Just to bring everyone up to date:

    Balmar does not manufacture nor have any MC-632 voltage regulators in stock. Irregardless of what their web site says

    Boat Electric does not carry any MC-632 voltage regulators anymore, irregardless of what their web site claims.

    Ample Power does not have any 32 volt regulators, even though their website claims to have them for sale.
  13. Marmot, Apr 3, 2014
    #13
    Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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  14. AlKi, Apr 3, 2014
    #14
    AlKi

    AlKi New Member

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    Thanks for the new leads, Marmot. However, the L5062 regulator from "Quick Start" company shows 3 amp max. I would like to go up to 100 amps output. And now I am getting out of my field of knowledge: What is the difference between "A-circuit" and "B-circuit" types?
  15. Marmot, Apr 3, 2014
    #15
    Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    3A is the excitation or field current rather than the output current. That is the power that is varied in order to manage the field strength.

    An "A circuit" controls the field current at the ground side as opposed to the "B circuit" that controls it going into the field while the other end is connected to ground.


    I have no idea how your alternator is configured but check online for that model and you should be able to find a circuit. Or better yet, contact Balmar and/or the regulator maker and see if the regulator is compatible.
  16. AlKi, Apr 3, 2014
    #16
    AlKi

    AlKi New Member

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    32 v

    Bingo! Found a place that will build me a 32v regulator, not "smart", but "...up to 15 amp field circuit". Splain that to me Lucy.
  17. Capt Ralph, Apr 3, 2014
    #17
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Maybe I missed it, What model Alternators did you have?

    There was another thread about smart regulators vs regular (dumb) regulators a while back.
    My point was while running the ship, lights on - off, pumps on - off, electronics on, MDSs on - off, Yada , Ada and varying engine rps How could a smart profile be maintained.
    The response was,,, it does.

    I still don't see it, but bowed the the masses.

    At the end of my run, most loads reduced, dockside or on the gen-set, then my battery chargers take over, Bulk, charge & float per program.

    I'm a 32vdc fan. I hear about others that think 32vdc is a problem. NO 32vdc problems here.

    KISS,
    rc
  18. AlKi, Apr 4, 2014
    #18
    AlKi

    AlKi New Member

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  19. AlKi, Apr 4, 2014
    #19
    AlKi

    AlKi New Member

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    Marmot, what is the significance of a regulator having "...up to 15 amp field circuit"?
  20. Marmot, Apr 4, 2014
    #20
    Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    It means the regulator is capable of delivering a high current to a large, high output alternator.

    The power output of the alternator is related to the magnetic strength of the field which is directly related to the amount of current flowing through the field windings.
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