external voltage regulator

[SailingJerry]

I have a 1990 Catalina 34 with the Universal M35 diesel. I need a new external voltage regulator, my old one is fried. I had a NextStep Regulator that has an on/off feature built in, temperature sensor to automatically compensate battery voltage;an output to drive a parallel solenoid which connects the house and starter batteries during charge;an input signal to limit the absorption voltage when halogen lights are on;an input signal that holds the regulator at the absorption setpoint .

Any suggestions for a new one? Does anyone use the NextStep 2? This was installed by PO.

Jerry

[mainesail]

Balmar MC-614...

[Stu Jackson]

Agree with the MC-614.

Please check out the Electrical Systems 101 topic, which includes a number of discussions about external regulators.  None of them include the Next Step, though, because it was a pretty rare bird on the C34s that reported on external regulators, and was "new" before they started making C34s.  I remember reading the Ample literature when we bought Aquavite in 1998, and their stuff was way ahead of its time.  And good, too.

[SailingJerry]

Thanks, prices are similar with the Nextstep but C34 always steers me in the right direction.

One more question. On my Nextstep, there is a hookup wire that says "on/off". Over the summer I installed a simple 3 pole voltage regulator when mine crapped out during a 2 week sailing trip. Only problem was I had a short because it had no "on/off" provision and there was always current going to the alternator. It constantly drained my house batteries.  It even sucked amps when I had the battery switch on "off".  Does the Balmar have something that stops the reverse current draw when the motor is not running like an on/off? I looked at the website and they may have it, but might be a different name. I'm thinking "ignition"?