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Balmar MC-618 vs ARS-5 vs Wakespeed WS500 Pro: Choosing an Alternator Regulator
A high-output alternator is only as good as its regulator. The regulator built into most engine alternators holds one fixed voltage. That suits a starting battery, but it leaves a deep-cycle house bank undercharged after a short motor. Balmar's high-output alternators are externally regulated (P-type, positive field), so they need a separate multi-stage regulator. These are the regulators we pair with them.
Side by side
| Regulator | System voltage | Battery programs | Lithium (LiFePO4) | Field current | Set-up | CAN bus to Victron |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balmar ARS-5 | 12 V | Presets for flooded, gel, AGM and spiral-wound batteries, plus a universal default | See its manual's LiFePO4 notes; no dedicated preset in our listing | Up to 9 A | Preset programs and advanced programming | No |
| Balmar MC-618 | 12 V | 9 presets for flooded, gel, AGM, spiral-wound AGM, carbon foam and LiFePO4 batteries | Yes, a dedicated preset; it can also stop lithium charging below freezing | Up to 15 A | Preset programs and advanced programming | No |
| Wakespeed WS500 Pro | 12, 24 or 48 V | Configurable charge profiles for lead-acid, AGM and LiFePO4 | Yes, and it can follow the battery's BMS over CAN bus | Field fed through a 10 A fused power wire, or 15 A on an extra-large alternator; output adjustable from 0 to 100% | Bluetooth app on your phone | Yes, with the Victron crossover cable |
For a 24 V Balmar alternator, the Balmar MC-624 is the 24 V counterpart, also supplied with its harness. The Wakespeed WS500 Pro covers 24 V as well.
Which one to choose
- Lead-acid, gel or AGM house bank on a 60 or 621 Series alternator: the ARS-5 does the job at the lowest cost. It comes with its harness.
- Most 12 V installs, including LiFePO4: the MC-618. It handles more field current, so it suits the bigger XT Series alternators. Balmar's own kit chart pairs it with the XT Series 170 A. It comes with its harness.
- Lithium with a battery management system, or a Victron system: the WS500 Pro. Over CAN bus it can take its charge targets from the battery's BMS through a Victron GX device such as the Cerbo GX. It needs a P-type wiring harness, and the 2 m Victron crossover cable for the CAN link, because a standard network cable has the wrong pinout.
Temperature sensors
An alternator charging a lithium bank can run flat out for a long time. An alternator temperature sensor lets the regulator ease off before the alternator overheats, and Balmar strongly recommends one when charging LiFePO4. Balmar regulators take Balmar's alternator and battery temperature sensors. The WS500 Pro uses Wakespeed's sensors.
Buying the alternator too? Each Balmar alternator kit includes the pulley and the regulator you choose, and takes 5% off the full set. Find yours on our Balmar page.
Not sure which suits your boat? Ask us with your engine, alternator and battery bank.
