Balmar Centerfielder Setup guide

INTRODUCTION
Your Centerfielder provides a centralized
s ource of charging control for twin engine
applications where two alternators and two
regulators are us ed to charge a s ingle battery
bank. The Centerfield s ens es when only one
engine is running. When the s econd engine is
s tarted, the Centerfielder determines which
regulator's field current is dominant, and directs that field current to both alternators. This even distribution of
field current ens ures that both alternators deliver comparable percentages of their available capacities .
Outputs may vary bas ed on engine rpm' s , comparative alternator s ize, and dis tances from dominant regulator
to alternators . For bes t performance, regulators us ed s hould be identical.
In addition to its ability to equalize regulation to both alternators , the Centerfielder provides the as s urance
that both alternators will continue to s upply your batteries with charging amperage, s hould either s tarboard or
port s ide regulators fail.
The Centerfielder is designed for use ONLY with Balmar MC-612 or MC624 regulators.
INSTALLATION
The Centerfielder is remarkably eas y to install. You will find, included with the Centerfielder, a collection of
s pade and wire tap connectors needed for ins tallation, as well as two fus ed 12 ga. replacement wires for the
regulator wiring harnes s es (s ee s tep 6). Field wires (12-gauge), ground wire (12-gauge) and ignition wires (14-
gauge) are us er s upplied. To ins tall:
1. Dis connect batteries or turn battery s witches to their " Off" pos i-
tions .
2. Ins tall the Centerfielder on a flat s urface (bulkhead) mid dis tance
between the two alternators .
3. Determine the dis tances required for wire runs between the
Centerfielder and the regulator wiring harnes s es as indicated on
the wiring illus tration on the revers e s ide of this s heet.
4. Connect the spade terminals as s hown, and plug appropriate wires
as illus trated in the diagram below.
5. Us ing the wire taps included, connect the us er s upplied wires to
the appropriate wires in the port and s tarboard s ide wiring har-
nes s es . Taps s hould be located within one inch (1 " ) of the regula-
tors .
6. Remove the existing red power wire from the regulator harness
and replace with the 12-ga. 15-amp fused red wire included with
the Centerfielder. Reconnect at the regulator and s ource of battery
voltage.
7. Re-connect batteries and start engines. The indicator LEDs will
light as the Centerfielder s elects the dominant regulator' s field cur-
rent.
Centerfielder
Ins tallation and Operator’s Manual

OP ER ATION
Tthe Centerfielder automatically responds to charging conditions as they occur. Initially, the Centerfielder will
s ens e field and ignition voltage on the firs t engine s tarted. As the s econd engine s tarts , the Centerfielder will
direct field current from the firs t regulator to the both alternators . During operation, the Centerfielder will con-
tinue to monitor field output from both regulators . S hould the s econdary regulator’s field current exceed that of
the firs t regulator, control of both alternators will be directed to that regulator.
12V OR 24V CONTROL
Both 12V and 24V charging s ys tems can be controlled with the Centerfielder. Wiring
connections for both s ys tem voltages are identical.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
The Centerfielder is equipped with three LEDs . (S ee illus tration.) The “In Us e” indica-
tor LEDs located between the ignition and field terminal plugs on port and s tarboard
are activated when the Centerfielder detects operation of either voltage regulator.
When both engines are in operation and the Centerfielder detects activity at both
regulators , the third LED, located near the Das h Lamp terminal, indicates that the
Centerfielder has combined the output of both alternators in parallel.
DASH LAMP
If regulators are equipped with Balmar Alternator or Battery Temperature S ens ors ,
connect a s plice wire at the Das h Lamp terminal of each regulator and connect both wires to the Das h Lamp
terminal at the Centerfielder. S hould either regulator detect low voltage, high voltage, high temperature at
either alternator or at the batteries , the Centerfielder will automatically s eparate the individual alternators and
regulators .
Starboard Max Charge
Voltage Regulator
Port Max Charge
Voltage Regulator

Start
Battery
Bank
GrdGrd
Grd
Grd
Start
Battery
Bank
Grd
Grd
Grd
GrdGrd
Regulator
Regulator
CF-12/24
Duo Charge
Grd
Duo Charge
Engine 1
(Port)
Engine 2
(Starboard)
F F
I
I
SS
O+
O+
O+
House Battery Bank
I
F
S
O+
Battery Sense Wire
Field Wire
Ignition Wire
Positive Output Cable
To Starter
To Starter
O+
O+
O+
O+
Dual Alternators / Twin Engines
Max Charge MC-612 Regulators (2)
Centerfielder
Digital Duo Charge (2)
R
R

LIMITED PRODUCT WARRANTY
BALMAR warrants to the original consumer/purchaser the product is free from any defects in material or workmanship for a peri-
od of one year from the date of purchase. If any such defect is discovered within the warranty period, BALMAR will replace the
regulator free of charge, subject to verification of the defect or malfunction upon delivery or shipping prepaid to BALMAR.
This warranty DOES NOT apply to defects or physical damage resulting from abuse, neglect, accident, improper repair, alter-
ation, modification, or unreasonable use of the products resulting in breakdown, cracked or broken cases nor are parts dam-
aged by fire, water, freezing, collision, theft, explosion, rust, corrosion or items damaged in shipment in route to BALMAR for
repair. BALMAR assumes no responsibility for consequential damage or loss or expense arising from these products or any
labor required for service or repair.
BALMAR WILL NOT repair or be held responsible for any product sent without proper identification and return address or RA
number clearly marked on the package. You must include proof of date and place of purchase (photocopy of purchase invoice)
or we cannot be responsible for repairs or replacement. In order to expedite warranty claims more efficiently, BALMAR asks that
prior to returning a defective product for repair, you call their customer service department for a warranty return authorization
number .
If factory service is required, you can contact our BALMAR Customer Service Department Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM
to 5:30 PM, (PST)1-360 435-6100 ext. “3”.
Material required for the repair or replacement for the defective part or product is to be supplied free of charge upon delivery of
the defective regulator to BALMAR, 19009 61st Ave. NE, Arlington, WA 98223. Customer is responsible for all return transporta-
tion charges and any air or rush delivery expense. BALMAR reserves the right to determine whether to repair or replace defec-
tive components.
THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED
WARRANTY LASTS. NO PERSON, AGENT, DEALER IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY WARRANTY.
 19009 61st Ave. NE, Arlington, WA 98223 Phone: [phone],
Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail], Web: http://www.balmar.net
©2001 Ballard Commercial Industries, Inc. (BALMAR) Centerfielder Rev.2-03/12/2003