461 / 470 - Additional alternator / updgraded alternator

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Additional alternator / updgraded alternator

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 461 / 470
Forum Description: 461 / 470 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2690
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 01:23
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Topic: Additional alternator / updgraded alternator

Posted By: SparxSea
Subject: Additional alternator / updgraded alternator
Date Posted: 06 January 2009 at 06:43

Has anyone fitted an additional / upgraded alternator to the Yanmar 55hp for the 470, if so, have you found it to be a worthwhile investment.

Many thanks

Replies:

Posted By: 371-#235
Date Posted: 06 January 2009 at 20:56

Hi SparxSea,

I fitted a Balmar High Output alternator ( http://balmar.net/ - http://balmar.net/ )and Balmar MC612 Smart External regulator to my Yanmar 3YM (30HP) 3 years ago. Very happy with it.

It can produce 110 amps, however, the house bank's acceptance level determines how much current it will accept based on it's level of discharge etc. I've never observed more than 80 amps going in when the bank was down quite a bit (monitored via my Link 10 Intelligent Battery Monitor - http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/237/p/1/pt/5/product.asp - http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/237/p/1/pt/5/product.asp ).

Bob, 371-#235

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Bob
371-#235
"Blondie"

Posted By: John Allison
Date Posted: 07 January 2009 at 12:48

Hi Al,

We traded in our 55 Ah standard alternator off our 75HP Yanmar up to the 80 Ah version. Think that cost us £100 back then when it was less than six months old.

I also hear good things about the Balmar units but guess you'll note the points made by Bob - plus sure you realise they all only provide the rated Ah at optimum revs and not the normal 1500 rpm 'tickover'?

Cheers

JOHN

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No longer a Hanse owner - but loved the one we had!

Posted By: Brad McMaster
Date Posted: 23 January 2009 at 21:42

Hi Guys,

Something to consider or perhaps you can help my with it. We had a standard factory delivered 80amp alternator or our 470 (75hp). This never achieved an acceptable out put as measured by a mastervolt monitor. We then installed a sterling smart charger/regulator that keeps the out put up.

The result however after some use was damage to the fuses that run into the switching diode module. These where rated at 50amps and broke straight away. The gentleman that installed the smart charge upgraded these to 80amps and that seemed to do the trick until one day i noted them melting!!! This was late last season and haven't found a solution yet.

Now annoyingly the kit that came direct from Hanse, no upgrades etc, was an 80amp alternator, a 50amp rated diode switch and 50amp fuses.

My plan was to replace the fuses with better quality and get an 80amp diode switch, but the German manufacture has failed to reply to calls and emails.

Maybe this help, but also if any one else have a view on this issue that would be great!

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GHOST - Hanse 470e - 058
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/ghost/

Posted By: Brad McMaster
Date Posted: 10 May 2009 at 06:01

Did any one get further on this topic.

The latest solution is to install circuit breakers but i wonder if this is correct considering the fuses are (so I'm told) slow burn, ie they don;t just trip andonly go if the load is consistently high. I thought a circuit breaker would just keep tripping?? Thoughts any one?

Regards
B

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GHOST - Hanse 470e - 058
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/ghost/

Posted By: Alain & Anne
Date Posted: 12 May 2009 at 16:00

Hi Brad,

I have the 80 Amp Yanmar alternator fitted with the Mastervolt Alphapro three step regulator, with a 440AH battery bank.
The engine clocked some 850 hours now, and I did not have any problem with this installation.
The max output I have read was about 75Amp at the beginning of the loading (boost) then it gives a good 45/50 Amp.
And I keep the same alternator as spare part.
Hope thet helps
Alain

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UHAMBO 430e#004
White hull-teck deck-Yanmar 55hp-long range cruising
OCC

Our blog: www.uhambo.fr

Posted By: Brad McMaster
Date Posted: 13 May 2009 at 07:19

Hi Alain,

Thanks for this. It sounds like what you are saying is that with the standard boat wiring, isolator diodes and shore power charger/regular, you have satisfactorly handled 75 amps (which is achieved with a std 80amp alternator and a mastervolt alpha 3 step which i figure is similar to my sterling unit) with out issue.

If this is true then it suggests the issues that i am having is perhaps a function of something else. ie a dead battery upsetting the feed back to the regulator resulting in over charging.

Thanks again

B

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GHOST - Hanse 470e - 058
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/ghost/

Posted By: hawkeye
Date Posted: 13 May 2009 at 08:14

Hi Brad,
You could consider the Sterling 160amp Alternator to Battery charger.(AB12160) This gives you all the smart charge features plus split outputs, dual voltage outputs etc. Basically you chuck all the original splitter stuff (previously reported on MyHanse as meltdown material) because everything is in one box. You can still use your Mastercharge monitor, or you could fit a Sterling Power Management Panel for a deluxe solution.
I have this combination on my 370e (40hp option) and highly recommend it. They have a 90 amp unit, but the cost difference is small and the bigger unit could handle 2 alternators or a grunty Balmar if you ever upgrade - assuming your batteries can take the charge as you correctly point out.
Read their website http://www.sterlingpower.com%20 - www.sterlingpower.com . It has a really good common sense section on batteries and charging and explains in detail how the AB systems function.
Cheers,
John
Sublime 370e #164