4
Regulator Installation
Regulator Installation
CAUTION
: The following instructions are intended for use by experienced electrical installers. If you are not experienced
at installing electrical system components, we recommend the use of a qualified marine electrical technician.
These instructions are 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 Max Charge MC-618-H regulator kit is packaged with the following items:
•
Max Charge MC-618 Regulator
•
54” Wiring Harness
•
Fused Battery Sense Wire Pigtail
•
Magnetic Programming Tool
•
MC-618 Quick Start Guide
If any of the listed items are not included with your regulator kit, call our customer service department at +1-360-435-6100.
Please note - If your regulator box is marked Max Charge MC-618, without the “H” designation your kit will not include the wiring
harness but does include the fused battery sense pigtail.
NOTE:
If connecting the MC-618 to a SmartLink
™
network/SG200 battery monitor, a
SmartLink
™
Cable (Not Included) is needed. The SG2-0400 is 10 meters long, and the SG2-
0403 is 5 meters in length. Both include the SG2-0404 SmartLink
™
Cable Adapter
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. A 120” harness is also
available from Balmar (Part # 1020.) 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. The max operating temperature is 90°C.
Should it be necessary to install the regulator further than >120” 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 10’, replace the RED power 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 preinstalled 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. This is used in some installations to provide a signal used to
drive a tachometer. 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.
