Beta 25 alternator

[rumtoddy1]

I am thinking of fitting a split charge diode but have read that some alternators require a voltage to switch on which will not happen with a diode.

Any ideas if the beta alternator requires a voltage or not?

Many thanks

 

[Boater Sam]

Split charge diodes are so last century, they reduce your charge voltage by 0.7 of a volt. Much better to fit a Voltage Sensitive Relay or at least a split charge relay and have no volt drop. Same amount of work to fit.

 

[earlybird]

I am thinking of fitting a split charge diode but have read that some alternators require a voltage to switch on which will not happen with a diode.

Any ideas if the beta alternator requires a voltage or not?

Many thanks

According to my Beta manual, the B25 is fitted either with a 40amp battery sensed alternator or a 70amp machine sensed alternator. If you have the former, you need to ensure that the +ve. feed from the panel to the exitation terminal is maintained. This apart, operation should be unaffected. As said, a VSR or low-loss diode splitter is better.
If you haven't got the manual, it can be downloaded as a pdf. It contains all the wiring diagrams.

 

[VicS]

According to my Beta manual, the B25 is fitted either with a 40amp battery sensed alternator or a 70amp machine sensed alternator. If you have the former, you need to ensure that the +ve. feed from the panel to the exitation terminal is maintained. This apart, operation should be unaffected. As said, a VSR or low-loss diode splitter is better.
If you haven't got the manual, it can be downloaded as a pdf. It contains all the wiring diagrams.

OM 221 20031 HE REV27 0921

.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I am thinking of fitting a split charge diode but have read that some alternators require a voltage to switch on which will not happen with a diode.

Any ideas if the beta alternator requires a voltage or not?

Many thanks

I have the70A one on my Beta 25 and it goes via a 3 way splitter to my batteries but has a self excited field coil so nothing needs doing.

My old 40A thing on another engine had a battery excited coil so needed momentary connection after startup. I was going to have a starter switch operated relay driven from the starter motor circuit and use it to breifly connect up one of the batteries to the excitation input but never got round to it so just had a push button. Once charging it becomes self excited.
I am not sure what the current 40A Beta standard unit is however but VicS is probably correct in his interpretation

VSRs are not suited to all, and the one in my van is a nuisance, and they can chatter (Rainbow is your man there). Additionally if you want 3 batteries as I do you would need 2 VSRs but you only need one splitter

 

[jwfrary]

If your more inclined toward the splitter then a FET based one is the lowest loss.

Victron Argo FET or the Sterling Pro Split R

Vsr are good but buy a good one Cyrix by victron are good and not too pricy