Balmar ARS-5 Regulator Issues

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Now after a weeks use, charging the (2)T-105 fla up to -A- absorption (never to float) I have found that the scrolling display shows bv= 14.5 and Av=14.1 instead of 14.8 and 14.4 as intended.

This is weird, is the ARS-5 now acting properly without requiring my offset adjustment?

Can I now reprogram the ARS-5 for bv=14.8v and Av= 14.4v as intended?

I suppose I should remove the temp sensor leads at the regulator to be sure, but the alt=64c max and batts are 32c max.

What would cause this? Is it likely to happen again? I do not like it when this regulator tries to charge my batts at 15.0-15.1 v!!!

I am going to try resetting back to my original 14.8v setting for bulk bv and if that works, all is fine, but as soon as it starts bulk charging at 15v again, I will probably retire this regulator!

We use ARS-5 regulators and have for years (only one at a time but we've replaced them more than once, so we've had several).

If I had the symptoms you describe I'd have decided the regulator circuits are flakey. Then to have the behavior change is even more reason to doubt the unit. So my approach would be to continue to use the unit (because I'm cheap) but carry a spare, which we do anyhow, and continue to monitor the situation.

[rgleason]

Thanks Wingsail, flakey ARS-5 it is!
I appreciate the confirmation.

[rgleason]

Have now reprogrammed to normal settings bv=14.8 Av=14.4 etc and it seems to be working properly now in bulk mode, and keeping voltage at 14.8 and not 15.0-15.1v as it did before.

We will see what happens....

[rgleason]

This morning at the beginning of a motor for 15 minutes (about) it was charging at 15.1v. then I noticed that it went down to 14.8v and eventually went through absorption at 14.5v and down to 13.8v and to float. Then I noticed the voltage jump up to 14.0v and realized that was due to sun coming out and the solar panals kicking in.

The jury is still out here, but it looks like it might be behaving.