Best Ignition Input For MC-614

[Delancey]

Hooking up a Balmar MC-614. Engine guy is on holiday until the new year. Balmar is closed. Engine is a Beta 38. Wondering about the best ignition input to the regulator, which needs to be switched.

It would be a pain for me to try and run a wire back to the actual switch. Instructions from Balmar say could also could be activated by an oil pressure switch, can I just go from the ring terminal on the oil pressure sensor to the brown wire off the regulator? Any reason not to?

Many thanks!

[bobofthenorth]

That's how I wired mine. It's worked for roughly 5 years now so I guess it must be OK. In my case I've got twins and I refused to use Balmar's center fielder so the brown is wired to an oil pressure switch on each engine.

You'll need to ensure that you are getting battery voltage from what you're calling "the oil pressure". You need an oil pressure SWITCH not a sensor. It will have 2 terminals on it. One side will be hot with key on and engine NOT running. Both sides will be hot when the engine is running. If you don't have one already they're easy to find at NAPA.

R.J.(Bob) Evans
www.bobandmarilyn.ca

[a64pilot]

Often an hour meter will use an oil pressure switch, if you have one that does, merely tie into it.

[boatbod]

I can't speak specifically about Beta, but most oil pressure alarm switch to ground, so you cannot guarantee there will be 12vdc on the terminal when the switch is open (running). The actual voltage may be less, particularly if there is an electronic alarm unit in the engine panel.

A better bet is picking up the ignition switch feed to the original (internally regulated) alternator which should be in the factory wiring harness close to where you need to make the connection. Just use a multimeter to make sure it turns on and off with the key switch.

[smac999]

no you can't go off an oil pressure sensor. you'd have to install a oil switch. and then feed power to the other side.

you probably have an ign wire in the engine harness. you just need to track it down.

some internal regs have ign and some don't. some have lamp circuits that will look like switched 12v if you measure but have the light bulb in series and will drop voltage with load.

[Delancey]

My bad. Oil pressure switch, not sensor. Original internal regulator did not have anything from the ignition. Will check voltage on it tomorrow. Thanks!

[Stu Jackson]

What "activated" your old alternator regulator?

[Delancey]

The alternator is a 120amp by Iskra which is I believe manufactured in the Czech Republic.

Here is a photo of the back. The stock brush box is at the bottom and fastens with two screws to the case which prodiveds grounding.

The brush box for external regulation (not installed in this photo) is off to the left of the frame with a yellow and black wife coming out of it.

[Stu Jackson]

Here's what I did when I did mine, although I put in a new alternator at the same time.

Alternator Regulator Wiring Diagrams - all three Alternator Regulator Wiring Diagrams (all three)

[boatbod]

Looks like a two wire alternator with no excite terminal.

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Here's what I did when I did mine, although I put in a new alternator at the same time.

Alternator Regulator Wiring Diagrams - all three Alternator Regulator Wiring Diagrams (all three)

Thanks, I'll give them some study.

Also, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the variety of links you have provided in various threads in the past. They have been of great value to me. Catching up on some other projects today but back at the regulator tomorrow.

In the meantime here is the diagram provided by Beta, like I said they have been very helpful but unfortunately on holiday. There is no brown wire coming off the panel but I think working off the oil switch will be fine.

[Delancey]

Also, for whatever interest it may be others here is a photo of the internal regulator and the brush box for an external one, provided by Beta.