Next message: Susan Meckley: "Re: lv-ab: Speed Through-the-water"
In a message dated 03/31/2001 9:39:32 PM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
> Hi Norm. Do you think the rheostat is necessary with a good 3 stage
regulator?
> Have you set yours up so you can still activate the field in the event of a
> regulator failure?
>
> Shaun
>
I am not sure. I never went through the setup procedure with my Heart
regulator, just left the settings on the factory default.
The line that connects to the alternator field terminal goes from the
alternator to the rheostat, then to the center terminal of a center-off
toggle switch. One contact of this switch connects to the output of the
Heart regulator, the other directly to a 12 VDC line that comes from a
two-terminal SPST oil pressure switch that closes when the engine is running.
Thus the rheostat is in the field line whether the switch has chosen manual
(from the 12 VDC line) or automatic (from the Heart regulator). This way I
can adjust the field current manually with the rheostat or use the rheostat
to choke down on the regulator's maximum.
My regulator did fail some time ago, or rather I killed it by operating the
alternator into an open load line which I had forgotten that I had not yet
connected to the load. This blew the alternator diodes and the Heart
regulator. New alternator, $60. Regulator repairs, $59. Engineering errors
come with built-in fines.
I installed a spare alternator and used the rheostat to manually control the
charging current until the regulator was repaired.
Norm
Norm
___________________________________________________________________________
|| The Live-Aboard List : send a "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" request ||
|| in body of message to: ||
