It would be great if there was a way to add what amounts to a second \"Feature-In\" port on the WS500.
I use the Feature-In to limit the field drive to 50% (big alternator on a small motor). It\'s my \"Power/More Power\" switch.
What would be really nice is a second digital input that could be used to control another function, say force the WS500 into the \"Zero amp mode.\"
Use case for this is coming home after a weekend away from the dock. There\'s no point in spending the diesel/drag recharging the battery when I\'m soon going to be plugging back into shore power.
Hello Hans,
I need to check where the below information in in the manual, but it is from my personal notes.
There is another way to force the regulator in halfpower (50%) mode. Then you \"\"feature in\"\" is available for other functions.
\"\"Extra function: Install an optional switch to force regulator in HALF POWERMODE.
This can be useful for a big alternator on a small engine, when engines power is needed for the propeller.
This optional switch can be installed, “parallel” with the alternator temperature sensor.
If this switch is in ON position, it will short the alternator temperature sensor, THEN regulator will go in half power mode.\"\"
Ben
see manual:
ATemp: Measured temperature of NTC sensor attached to A-port in degrees C. -99 indicate temperature has not been measured, or NTC sender has failed. -100 indicates the Alternator temp NTC probe is shorted (to select ½ power mode)
Yeah, I was aware of the \"short out the temperature probe\" thing, but I was trying to have my cake and eat it too. :) If you short out the temperature probe, the system can no longer monitor the alternator temperature. Since my system normally operates in 1/2 power mode, that would mean I rarely ever get to see the temperatures.
If I could do this with the other temperature input (aka the battery temperature input), which is unused on my system, I\'d be happy as a clam.
In half power mode, it is very very rare, you need the temperature sensor for protection.
Almost 100% sure it is not needed.
As usual, test at time off installation, how the alternator temperature behavior is.
On which device you monitor the alternator temperature?
It would be great if there was a way to add what amounts to a second \"Feature-In\" port on the WS500.
I use the Feature-In to limit the field drive to 50% (big alternator on a small motor). It\'s my \"Power/More Power\" switch.
What would be really nice is a second digital input that could be used to control another function, say force the WS500 into the \"Zero amp mode.\"
Use case for this is coming home after a weekend away from the dock. There\'s no point in spending the diesel/drag recharging the battery when I\'m soon going to be plugging back into shore power.
Hi Hans
To put the WS500 into a \"zero amp mode\" you could simply add a switch in either the \"Brown\" ignition wire (wire number 1 in the quick start guide), or add a switch in the \"Blue\" Alternator field wire (wire number 7 in the quick start guide), to turn the alternator off.
I have done a switch in the \"Brown\" ignition wire as there are times I don\'t want to charge the batteries if i am leaving the boat for a while and want to store them at 50%.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes
Michael
Hello Michael Allo,
\"\"Zero amp mode\"\" is something different as switching the alternator off.
\"\"Zero amp mode\"\" means the alternator just produce the the amps to keep the shunt at zero amps.
Example, If the load/navigation etc, is 8amps, the alternator produce 8 amps.
IMPORTANT:
To switch the blue field wire is against Wakespeed advise.
You can or switch the brown OR the RED Alternator Positive wire
Quote from
Ben on September 7, 2022, 7:03 am
Hi Ben
Thanks for the clarification of “Zero amp mode”.
For simplicity I would just turn it off completely, but I can also see the point of having this option, but as Hans has said perhaps a half power, or a lower charge rate would also be a good idea???
Also thank you for your heads up regarding the field wire, I will remove it from my previous post, I was unaware of this, everyday is a school day………
Best wishes
Michael
