"Dick Evans" wrote in message .ca...
I have a L/N 3 Step Alternator and it has a built in three step regulator.
Under the regulator cover there is 3 voltage adjustments, but it is not a 3
stage regulator like a Balmar, Heart, etc. Maybe your alternator is similar.


Jeanette, as long as you don't have to frequently top up your
batteries with distilled water, you shouldn't worry too much about the
voltage at the "float" stage. I suppose your boat is a silboat and
thus, long hours of motoring don't happen all that often. If you want
to be finicky about it, you could have the alternator tested (but not
by an automotive alternator shop as I don't beleive they have the
equipement to check a 3 stage regulator) to see if the settings of the
float stage are correct. Basically, it would involve checking the
timer IC (integrated circuit) and the voltage IC that govern the third
stage.
john