High Output alternator

Tail_Gunner

Tail_Gunner

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Re: High Output alternator

bruceb58 said:
Do the ACR before you go out and get the alternator. Maybe it's all you need.
Click to expand...

THE question is will his battery's stand up to a high charge alt..I dont believe glass mat like sucking up 35-50 amps at a bite so to speak
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Last edited:
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: High Output alternator

What model Optimas are being used? Only certain blue tops are apparently deep cycle. Anything that has a "D" in front of it are ok. For example a "D34M" is a deep cycle and a "34M" is not.
 
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Tail_Gunner

Tail_Gunner

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Re: High Output alternator

bruceb58 said:
He does have 2 in parallel so that helps.

Edit:Support - Battery Care - Charging | OPTIMABATTERIES
Click to expand...


ck to Top ▲
OPTIMA? REDTOP? Charging Information

The following charging methods are recommended to ensure a long battery life. Always use a voltage-regulated charger, with voltage limits set as described below.
REDTOP? Type: 34 & 34R - 34/78 - 78 - 25 & 35 - 75/25
These batteries are designed for engine starting applications. They are NOT recommended or warranted for use in deep-cycle applications.
Recommended charging information:
Alternator:
13.3 to 15.0 volts, no amperage limit.
Battery Charger:
13.8 to 15.0 volts, 10 amps maximum, approximately for 6-12 hours..............................................:confused::confused::confused::confused:
Rapid Recharge:
Maximum voltage 15.6 volts (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125?F (51.7?C). Charge until current drops below 1 amp.
Float Charge:
13.2 to 13.8 volts, 1 amp maximum current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).

Strictly adhere to all limits.

Safety Information:
Always wear safety glasses when working with batteries.
Always use a voltage-regulated battery charger with limits set to the above ratings. Overcharging can cause the safety valves to open and battery gasses to escape, resulting in premature failure. These gasses are flammable! You cannot replace water in sealed batteries that have been overcharged. Any battery that becomes very hot or makes a hissing sound while recharging should be disconnected immediately.
Failure to fully charge a battery can result in poor performance and a reduction in capacity.
These guidelines are intended for typical consumer applications. For military, commercial applications, or new equipment design please contact OPTIMA for additional technical
 
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Kamilo

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Re: High Output alternator

bruceb58 said:
What model Optimas are being used? Only certain blue tops are apparently deep cycle. Anything that has a "D" in front of it are ok. For example a "D34M" is a deep cycle and a "34M" is not.
Click to expand...

I will have to check if there is d at the front. Will know tmrw, thank you
 
J

jhebert

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Messages
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Re: High Output alternator

Use of very high power consumption audio reproduction systems is very common in cars, and, as a result, there is a great deal of information available about engine alternators for high current output available for that application. Since your boat has some sort of inboard engine adapted from an automobile engine, most of these automobile engine alternators solutions should be adaptable for your audio project. Instead of getting advice from boaters, who most likely have no experience with really high-current output alternators, you might consider turning to some of the many car audio websites, where I expect you can find much more advice.

It typically only take a few horsepower to generate a couple of kilowatts of electrical power, so there is no practical limitation on how much electrical power you can take off from your very large engine. Alternators with 300-Amperes of output are available.

If you are not an expert in designing large capacity high current 12-Volt power sources, you should probably get more advice than can be obtained from small craft recreational boaters. You cannot just pump 300-Amperes into any lead-acid battery, and a system needs to be designed and assembled with care.

A few years ago I was involved in a project where several thousands watts of electrical power was to be supplied from 12-Volt batteries to a vehicle electronics system. We used some rather large (and expensive) AGM batteries--about $1000 each--and a very fancy alternator--about $500. The system worked well--for a while. Due to the vibration of the vehicle on the road, a connection worked and loosened. The result was impressive. A couple of thousand dollars of electrical components burned up. The lesson: if you install a really powerful alternator, you need to be rather careful where its current might go.
 
thumpar

thumpar

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Re: High Output alternator

jhebert said:
Use of very high power consumption audio reproduction systems is very common in cars, and, as a result, there is a great deal of information available about engine alternators for high current output available for that application. Since your boat has some sort of inboard engine adapted from an automobile engine, most of these automobile engine alternators solutions should be adaptable for your audio project. Instead of getting advice from boaters, who most likely have no experience with really high-current output alternators, you might consider turning to some of the many car audio websites, where I expect you can find much more advice.

It typically only take a few horsepower to generate a couple of kilowatts of electrical power, so there is no practical limitation on how much electrical power you can take off from your very large engine. Alternators with 300-Amperes of output are available.

If you are not an expert in designing large capacity high current 12-Volt power sources, you should probably get more advice than can be obtained from small craft recreational boaters. You cannot just pump 300-Amperes into any lead-acid battery, and a system needs to be designed and assembled with care.

A few years ago I was involved in a project where several thousands watts of electrical power was to be supplied from 12-Volt batteries to a vehicle electronics system. We used some rather large (and expensive) AGM batteries--about $1000 each--and a very fancy alternator--about $500. The system worked well--for a while. Due to the vibration of the vehicle on the road, a connection worked and loosened. The result was impressive. A couple of thousand dollars of electrical components burned up. The lesson: if you install a really powerful alternator, you need to be rather careful where its current might go.
Click to expand...

Auto alternators are not used in boats. They have no spark protection like marine alternators.
 
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jhebert

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Messages
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Re: High Output alternator

thumpar said:
Auto alternators are not used in boats. They have no spark protection like marine alternators.
Click to expand...

Yes, but I did not recommend that he buy an automotive alternator. I recommended he look at the high-power automobile audio website for advice on the system design. I think you made the inference that I recommended he buy a non-marine alternator. I did not recommend that. If that inference was made, it was not my intention and I regret that.

Since you brought up the topic of spark protection in an alternator, please tell me what is done in a marine alternator that provides this protection. I think it is often just the addition of a screen at the rear.

By the way, all electrical components in a boat should adhere to regulatory requirements for ignition protection, and ignition protection is necessary throughout the entire electrical system. Blue Sea Systems has a short article on this that offers good advice.

Is Your Boat Ignition Protected?
http://assets.bluesea.com/files/res...cal Brief_is-your-boat_ignition_protected.pdf
 
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Bondo

Bondo

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Re: High Output alternator

jhebert said:
Yes, but I did not recommend that he buy an automotive alternator. I recommended he look at the high-power automobile audio website for advice on the system design. I think you made the inference that I recommended he buy a non-marine alternator. I did not recommend that.

Since you brought up the topic of spark protection in an alternator, please tell me what is done in a marine alternator that provides this protection.
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... The Vents, have Screens,...

A Spark, can't jump through a Screen,...
 
J

jhebert

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Re: High Output alternator

Bondo said:
Ayuh,... The Vents, have Screens,...

A Spark, can't jump through a Screen,...
Click to expand...

It seems like a trivial modification. It is probably much harder (and expensive) to get a product certified as meeting the required legal test standards than to actually make the product have ignition protection.

In any case, I doubt the boat loudspeaker public-address system really needs an alternator that would be called "high-output" in today's context. A "high-output" alternator is probably one that pumps out more than 200-Amperes. If you have a loudspeaker public-address system on your boat that needs 200-Amperes to operate, you are going to be more at risk of sinking from hostile fire from other boaters than from ignition of your own gasoline fumes by your electrical system.
 
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