Yanmar 4BY2-180 - Engine/Ignition on signal

[jimv]

I would like to have a 12V signal that is only active when my engine is running (more specifically, when the alternator is supplying power).
The R27 (classic) user manual electrical diagram does not include any engine wiring/signals.

Any other Yanmar engine owners out there that have some thoughts or specifics on where I can tap into a signal like this from the engine harness(es)?

I do have a spare Blue Sea ACR that I could use for this purpose, but a proper signal from the engine would be great.

~Jim

 

[GaylesFaerie]

I have a 2012 R27 with the Garmin 5212 Chartplotter and the Yanmar i5601E Engine Gauge. I can't remember which unit shows it, but there is screen on one of them that shows your alternator output in volts. I check it prior to leaving the dock. HTH, Gary

 

[jimv]

Gary - good info, thanks.
The thing I'm looking for though is a signal (really just a 12V source) that I can incorporate into some automation / system informatics that I'm designing for the boat. My desire is to be able to detect when the alternator is contributing to the power system.
I would love to find a pin-out diagram for the Yanmar ECU, but have not been able to locate one. It's disappointing to not be able to find much support for this engine, even on Yanmar's websites.

~J

 

[GaylesFaerie]

mmm,if you have a battery monitor it show voltage going into the battery bank once the engine is started provided no solar panel input is going to the batteries. But as far as automation and pin outs, I wouldn't know. I prefer to keep things simple. Less points of failure, more hands on, easier to trouble shoot and fix. Sounds like an interesting project tho. Gary

 

[knotflying]

Of sure what you are exactly trying to accomplish. For the most part you will see the charge on a data box on the Garmin. When the engine is running there is usually a charge and it is indicated by how much voltage is showing on the data box that can be set up on several different screens.

 

[Levitation]

1. A cleaner method would be the tachometer, It will indicate the engine is running, That information can be routed to a small circuit board to set a Schmidt trigger to a logic 1. The logic 1 will then go to the equipment you want to only draw power when alternator voltage is present. This, of course, assumes a running engine always has alternator power output.

2. Another method would be a battery voltage threshold circuit set at 14 volts. It will go positive (logic 1) when the alternator is generating a charge voltage. Actually, you already have that on the boat with the BLUE SEAS relays for controlling house bank charging.

3. Another method would be a Hall Effect current pickup on the alternator field lead showing positive current. A simple Schmidt trigger will set a logic 1.

4. If you have a state of charge indicator for the house battery set you already have a current pickup with polarity information.

And I see others have covered some of this, so I will sit down and be quiet now. :mrgreen: