LINK 2000 R Help needed with regulator

[jrd22]

On motorcycles, regulator failure is normally signalled by over-bright lights, then bulbs start popping, then ignition coils start smoking, then the alternator fries.

Rockter- Wow, does that bring back memories. Matchless, Norton, Triumph. You were referring to English motorcycles weren't you?

[EscapadeCaliber40LRC]

Ray - I will call the arlington phone numbers once the work day begins. It is still too early here on the West coast but the info from Xantrex support is not encouraging.

[EscapadeCaliber40LRC]

Ray - The phone numbers to arlington, Wa, no longer work. So I think that Xantrex facility has been shut down or redirected to other products.

There are 3 units left in the West Marine inventory for Link 2000R. I have ordered one this morning to give me spare capability just in case so maybe they had four in the nationwide inventory. Its price with shipping to my Nevada address is $865. The Link 2000R includes the Link2000 monitor, plus an additional shunt and the regulator board (the Ideal I presume) and some sort of a terminal board. I ordered one because keeping the beer cold is too important to leave to chance or fate. Suggest you consider the same.

The West Marine people see that the product is being phased out by Xantrex and they don't seem to have a clue as to what will replace it.

[EscapadeCaliber40LRC]

Received the XAR 12 from Xantrex. Read through the spec sheet/installation guide/troubleshooting guide. This part is designed to work with monitor equipment in some future version of the part but will not communicate with the existing Link 2000 in its current version. No further explanation in the documents. I have decided to return this unit as I want to stay with using the Link 2000. On my boat in order to use the XAR 12 I would have to get inverted with my head inside the navigators seat to read its LED display. Not my idea of progress. Still waiting on the package from West Marine.

[EscapadeCaliber40LRC]

Found interesting info for repairing the Ideal Regulator on this web site:

Willow

Electronics

"** The high voltage protection in the Ideal Regulator will fail in a shorted condition if there is a high voltage event, for example, disconnecting the alternator while running. The part is D13, a transient voltage suppressor 1N6280A or 1.5KE24A. This is soldered into the Ideal Regulator board.

"A lot of the parts are obsolete. Substitutions:

"Link 2000-R Part Substitute Part

MPQ2907 NTE2322
TPQ222A NTE2321
MSP8098 NTE123AP
MPQ6600A1 None!
1N6280A 1.5KE24A
IRF540N MOSFET Still good!"

I think this refers to parts substitution for parts in the Ideal Regulator. Sounds like the specific failure mechanism on Escapade.

.

[EscapadeCaliber40LRC]

Another good source of general background information:

The Marine Electrical and ... - Google Book Search

[bhcva]

I just purchased a Link 2000R with the Ideal reg from JTH Electronics for $670 to be used as a spare. Unlike the original package, this one did not include the four twisted pair harness, 2 amp fuses, spade or ring terminals and mounting screws. Things must really be tough out there.

Bruce

[tausap]

Has anybody had any luck getting their ideal regulator module repaired and if so, where? I suspect mine is bad as I just had the alternator rebuilt and tested and it works fine. There is no output from the regulator even though both the power and charge LEDs are on.

I called the guy from the website listed above as he has a marine electrics consulting/repair business and I am going to see if he can repair the module. Will report on the results.