Balmar regulator problem

[Laskadog]

Hello all,

I've recently started having an issue with my Balmar ARS II regulator. When I turn on the ignition, the yellow LED light turns on first. When I run the engine, the output to the batteries is a constant 13.9v.

The Instruction manual says, "If the YELLOW light (C) comes on first, you have a bad ground or the voltage to the brown wire also leads to ground through a solenoid or similar device."

I tested the negative leading to the alternator for continuity and it is fine (I cleaned it for good measure). The ground from there to the engine block is fine too.

The second possibility was the brown wire (switched 12v +) leads to a ground through a solenoid. I do indeed get continuity if I test from brown to black in the ARS II wiring harness. I also get continuity between red and black wires at the same harness as well as the engine hours counter and the fuel gauge. The brown wire leads to the engine panel and when I unplug the panel, the brown no longer grounds. So my next question is, what solenoid are they referring to?

Thanks.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Laskadog

Hello all,

>>>>>>>>>>
When I run the engine, the output to the batteries is a constant 13.9v.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What "program" have you set the regulator for re: battery voltage?

[smac999]

You can’t use continually testing on any wire with power. If you Actully had continuity on all those wires you’d have big problems. You are getting false readings.

The brown should have 12v with the key on. And 0v with key off.


Some boats will power brown with an oil pressure switch. I’m guessing that’s what they mean.

If the brown was grounded the unit would never turn on.

[Laskadog]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

What "program" have you set the regulator for re: battery voltage?

I've never touched the settings of the regulator, so either it is factory or what a previous owner must have set. The voltage is about 13.9v, which is close to the 13.8v float voltage indicated in the instruction manual. The regulator seems to be doing it's job, but the yellow light (bad ground) has me concerned.

[Laskadog]

Originally Posted by smac999

You can’t use continually testing on any wire with power. If you Actully had continuity on all those wires you’d have big problems. You are getting false readings.

The brown should have 12v with the key on. And 0v with key off.


Some boats will power brown with an oil pressure switch. I’m guessing that’s what they mean.

If the brown was grounded the unit would never turn on.

Thanks for the info and sorry for the rookie mistake. I re-tested this morning and the red is constant full voltage, the brown is indeed 0v when key is OFF and 13v (ish) when ON. The blue however does not really give the 7/12v engine OFF and 4-12 engine ON. I get 1-2v with engine ON.

On another note, the yellow LED no longer turns on at engine start. Perhaps all my fooling around did something. I did have a couple of wet wires in the bilge.

Thanks for the advice.

[jamhass]

Here is a link to the Best article on Balmar regulators I have found:
https://marinehowto.com/programming-...age-regulator/

[Laskadog]

Originally Posted by jamhass

Here is a link to the Best article on Balmar regulators I have found:
https://marinehowto.com/programming-...age-regulator/

Thanks!