At 09:55 AM 6/25/2006 -0700, Michael Elliott wrote: >So I'm looking Ample Power's Next Step voltage regulator: >http://www.amplepower.com/products/ns2/index.html > >It monitors the output voltage of the alternator, and adjusts that >voltage according to how you set its Absorption Voltage, Absorption >Time, and Float voltage trimpots. It also accepts a thermal sensor to >monitor the temperature and modify charging voltages accordingly. It >looks pretty cool to me -- does anyone have any experience with it, or >with a similar device? I have the previous version, without the computer options and such. It behaves *precisely* as advertised, and will stuff 200 amp-hours from a 35-amp alternator running flat-out in about six hours (this is on a 30-hp Atomic Four marine engine which previously could piddle around for days without charging the %$^#% batteries. The routine is now four days or so without touching the engine and then 6-7 hours at about 1300 rpm which is still very quiet. Rinse and repeat until the cruise is done. The needle is steady at 30+ amps until the last hour and then tapers -- previously it would taper down to about 5 amps or so over the course of an hour and then go like that forever. One caveat I'm sure you haven't missed in the literature -- automotive alternators do not contemplate running flat-out for long, since the designers are well aware of the regulator characteristics. Either use an alternator rated for continuous output or arrange to supply additional fresh-air cooling to the existing one if you want it to survive. Do it. You may shudder at the initial expense but that is the actual cost to have this job done for you automatically. Anything less is sending boys to do a man's job. The unit itself is absolutely rock-solid and conforms precisely to its published specs. Or if you're willing to supply sweat equity, get a rheostat or a few light bulbs and manually control the alternator field for the bulk and absorption phases as ocean cruisers have done forever. Quite cheap but it will bite you if you get distracted. Your nickel...
-- David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/ '84 Westy "Dutiful Passage," '85 GL "Poor Relation" |
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