Balmar 60 Series, Installation And Operation Manual

Page: 6 / 20

Page
DIGITAL DUO CHARGE
Balmar’s Digital Duo Charge connects between the house
and start (secondary) batteries -- keeping the two banks
separate until the unit senses 13 volts (26@24V) at the
house battery. Once voltage is reached, the Duo Charge
supplies up to 30A to the secondary bank. Voltage is regu -
lated at the secondary bank based on a preset program
chosen by the user to reflect the secondary battery type.
Standard and deep cycle flooded, gel and AGM battery
types are supported. Optional battery temperature sens -
ing and solenoid drive terminals are includ-
ed. 12 or 24-volt settings.
• Advantages: No user interface re-
quired. Selectable programs ensure
proper voltage control -- even with
varied battery bank capacities and
mixed battery constructions. Amper-
age limits require smaller wire gauge.
Works with DC or shore power charge
sources. Simplifies charging control
for alternator and regulator.
• Disadvantages: 30-amp maximum
output may not support larger sec-
ondary banks (bow thruster, windlass,
etc.) without use of manual solenoid
control.
TWO ALTERNATORS
(SINGLE ENGINE)
Should more charging power be required
than is conveniently available from the
engine’s primary alternator, many boat -
ers choose to install a second alterna-
tor. In these applications, alternators can
be used separately as dedicated charge
sources for the various battery banks, or
the outputs from both alternators can be
combined to provide a single-source of
charging.
Balmar’s voltage regulator model MC-
612-DUAL is designed specifically for this
type of application, providing a separate
field terminal pin for each alternator, and
the ability to select between temperature
sensing at a single alternator and two bat -
tery banks, or temperature sensing at two alternators and a single battery bank. This type of system is commonly
used to supply a large house bank, with a Duo Charge unit providing charging current to the starting battery. For
more information on the MC-612-DUAL, visit the Balmar website at www.balmar.net.
• Advantages: Provides substantial increase in available charging amperage. Builds in system redundancy.
• Disadvantages: Requires addition of new bracketry and upgraded crankshaft pulleys. Potentially expensive
• Voltage Sensing: Depends on whether alternators are dedicated to specific banks, or if they are combined to
support a single bank. Voltage must be sensed at the battery(ies) being charged.
6