September 5, 2022
I am not really happy with the Balmar regulator we’ve had on our boat for ten years now (we’re on our third one, but that’s another story, here). I searched the internet for one I could love, and didn’t find anything that made my heart flutter (Yep, I’m strange!). I started to think about designing my own. Here’s my wish-list so far…
- Remotely programmable with an iOS or Android or PC app. I’d love something like what Victron does with their products and the Victron Connect app.
- Remotely monitorable via the above and again similar to Victron Connect. (Come on Victron, read this and make us an alternator regulator!!!)
- Save and load configuration files so that settings and setup can be shared among users. Have a great LiFePO4 setup that’s worked well for a while now? Share it with friends or on the internet.
- Monitor alternator output with a dedicated and included shunt on the alternator positive output. (We can’t use the negative side as some alternators are grounded through the engine.)
- Be able to set and control max alternator output via the app.
- Alternator and battery temperature monitoring standard. Don’t make me buy the temperature sensors separately!).
- Alternator temperature control. Set a maximum alternator temperature and have the regulator control the output with something like PID control. (Sorry for those who aren’t techie. This would subtly change the alternator output to keep it from overheating. It wouldn’t just periodically cut the output in half the way the Balmar regulator does.)
- Loud fault condition alarms built in to the unit and not relying on the app.
- Automatic P or N type switching. This confuses people. It would be great if the user didn’t even have to know if their alternator was positive or negative switching. It’d be easy for the regulator to detect it.
- Relatively waterproof or splash proof with a cover over wire connections to prevent splashes from corroding wires and connectors. But don’t pot it (I’m talking to you Balmar!). We need to leave the disposable society behind and make products easier to service.
- Alternator cool-down mode either via the app, or better yet, an external and optional button. If I turn my engine off shortly after the alternator has been running full-bore, the alternator can overheat as its cooling fan stops when the engine stops. I’d love a five minute cool-down cycle that stops the alternator output and then beeps when the cool-down period is done. Or better yet, when the alternator reaches a set cool-down temperature.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this subject, having just upgraded my alternator and completed Balmar alternator and regulator reviews.
My hope is that some enterprising manufacturer will read this and include these features in their next regulator. Please don’t make me design this myself! 😉
-Rich
