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www.balmar.net / Customer Service: +1 (360) 435-6100 x1 / Technical Support: +1 (360) 435-6100 x3
Tech Service is available Monday - Friday (8:30am - 7:30pm EST)
CAUTION: The following instructions are intended for use by experienced marine electrical installers.
If you are not experienced at installing electrical system components, we recommend the use of a
qualified marine electrical technician.
Regulator Installation
The following information is intended to provide the installer with the basic information required to complete installation. This
section of the installation manual will deal with mounting, wiring connections and basic programming for battery type. Additional
information regarding advanced programming adjustments and troubleshooting are addressed later in the manual.
Unpacking the Box
Your ARS-5 regulator kit is packaged with the following items:
•
ARS-5 Regulator
•
54” Wiring Harness
•
Magnetic Programming Tool
•
ARS-5 Quick Start Guide
If any of the listed items is not included with your regulator kit, call our customer service
department at 360-435-6100. Please note - If your regulator box is marked ARS-5,
without the “H” designation your kit will not include the wiring harness or fused battery
sense pigtail.
Locate And Mount The Regulator
Choosing a mounting location for your voltage regulator should be determined based on
the following factors; distance from alternator, distance from inverters, transmitters and other sources of RF noise, convenient
access and readability of the display. The regulator wiring harness is 54 inches long, providing a three to four foot radius for
mounting. Ample airflow is essential for the regulator’s proper operation. Ensure that the regulator is free from obstructions that
restrict air movement around or below the regulator’s aluminum heat sink. While the regulator is designed to operate safely
in conditions typical of a marine engine compartment, the regulator may be better protected, and easier to use and monitor if
mounted outside of the engine compartment.
Should it be necessary to install the regulator further than 54 inches from the alternator, ensure that any wire extensions are
properly connected, as resistance in the harness wiring can affect charging efficiency. If harness length must reach beyond
approximately eight feet, replace the RED power BLACK ground and BLUE field wires with larger gauge wire that’s sized to
ensure voltage drop < 3%.
Basic Wiring Installation
The regulator’s wiring harness includes five wires required for standard installation. Four of those wires are connected to the
regulator via a Ford-style plug connector that’s pre-installed on the regulator. These wires include the Ground (BLACK), Power
(RED), Ignition (BROWN) and Field (BLUE). Plug is shown at right.
In addition, the harness includes a separate Stator (WHITE) wire. The proper terminal connection points for this, and additional
wiring connections, are illustrated on the pin location legend shown and discussed on the following pages.
