Next Step 2 Alternator Regulator

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A Fast Full Charge

A fast full charge is the name of the game, and the Next Step Regulator, Version 2, makes it a reality through the use of the latest microcomputer technology. With all of its features the NS2 is the choice for most systems.

Features at a Glance

Improved Performance

The NS2 improves on earlier design performance with these important improvements:

Most Cost Effective Regulator/Combiner

The NS2 is the most cost effective of any performance regulator offered on the market. Bulk, absorption, and float charges are done automatically. Absorption time is adjustable as are the absorption and float voltages.

Part of the NS2 circuits stay alive at all times to allow the NS2 to function as a battery combiner, maintaining the starter battery from all charge sources. (Requires Battery Combiner Option)

One Regulator for 12 or 24 Volts

The same NS2 can be used in either 12 or 24 Volts systems. Just hook it up and adjust it to the desired setpoints! There is no longer a cost penalty for 24V systems.
Note: Regulators for 32, 36, and 48 Volt systems are available, however there are differences in their construction versus the 12/24V unit.

Setpoint adjustments can be made without waiting for the regulator to charge the batteries. Test points are provided to measure the setpoint potentiometer. For 12/24 Volt units, battery voltage is exactly 10 times the voltage measured on the test point.

Smart Overload Detection

What if the regulator is in float, and the alternator can't keep up with demand? The NS2 is smart enough to sense this condition and go into the absorption state so that a full charge will be returned when the load demand lessens and the alternator can once again keep up with the load.

Charge State Indicator

An LED keeps the user informed about the progress of charging. The green LED flashes on/off codes indicating the charge step at the moment.

Error Indicator

A red LED only flashes when faults are detected, such as loss of sense input, or overvoltage on the battery. Errors are identified by the duration of on and off times for the red LED. This mechanism permits rapid troubleshooting of the charging system.

An error indicator can be remotely mounted if the second plug-in terminal block is ordered. Order Accessory: #NS2-TBL
Note: A second terminal block is included with any of the Factory Installed Options.

Parallel Solenoid Indicator

An amber LED illuminates anytime the parallel output signal is active, signalling that the battery combiner solenoid should be closed.

Field Output Indicator

A green LED indicates when the field output is being driven positive, making it easy to see when the alternator should be producing.

Simple Adjustments

The NS2 is very easy to adjust, and adjustments can be made without the engine running.

Absorption voltage and time can be set, and there is an independent adjustment for float voltage. The adjustment procedure has been greatly simplified. Test points are provided which measure exactly 1/10 of the desired battery voltage. For instance a voltage of 1.35 Volts on the float test point will yield 13.50 Volts at the battery.

To make absorption time easy to adjust, a test point is provided that indicates the time setpoint. Just measure the test point with a meter, and convert the voltage to time by multiplying the voltage by 100 to arrive at minutes. For instance, a 1 Volt reading indicates absorption time of 100 minutes.

This exclusive Ample Power feature means that the NS2 can be installed and adjusted without waiting for the unit to trip to float. This can save you an hour or two of labor charges if you have the unit professionally installed!

Temperature Sensing

To provide an ideal charge regimen, the NS2 senses battery temperature and compensates the various setpoints. Temperature compensation corrects the output voltages from -4 to 140$^\circ$ Fahrenheit ( -20 to 60$^\circ$C). The NS2 continues to operate below -4$^\circ$F, but does not continue to increase battery voltage. At the cold limit, battery voltage is raised as much as 1.5 Volts over the 77$^\circ$F value, that is 15.9 Volts for absorption of a 12-Volt battery. At the hot extreme, voltage is reduced by about one Volt, that is absorption of a 12-Volt battery is only 13.5.
Order accessory: #2018 or #2018-WIRE

What you won't see

You won't see the NS2 overshoot the absorption setpoint by several hundred milli-Volts, as done by one highly advertised regulator. They use this technique in an attempt to prevent current tapering as battery voltage approaches the absorption setpoint. Your batteries pay the price for their overshoots.

We also sense battery voltage rather than the power feed to the regulator. Yes, they save a wire in the harness, but a regulator which doesn't sense battery voltage using a dedicated wire for that purpose can not charge batteries properly.

Factory Installed Options

Battery Combiner Option

The NS2 has also been designed to provide a new level of system integration. The unit drives a parallel solenoid to charge a starter battery at the same time a house battery is charged. This feature is active 24/7 ...whether the engine is running or not. Thus it works with any other charge sources such as AC powered battery chargers, as well as the alternator.

With the parallel solenoid driver, the NS2 is ideal for vessels, motorhomes and fifth-wheel homes. The loads which are normally drawn from the starter battery can stay connected as wired. The same parallel solenoid can even be used with a manual parallel switch to connect the house and starter batteries.
Order option: #NS2BC12-100A, #NS2BC12-200A, #NS2BC24-100A, or #NS2BC24-200A

Two Alternator Option

Driving two alternators on different engines has always been problematic, requiring as a minimum a Dual Alternator Controller. Where the two engines are close, as in a power boat, this system worked well. However, when the two engines were separated by a long wiring distance, as in a multi-hull vessel, other problems were common. Driving field current over the long wires meant that electrical noise was present whenever the engines were running. The potential for high voltage transients to develop from ringing in the wiring unduly stressed the field driver circuits, leading to failures.

The NS2 puts an end to those problems. The NS2 can be mounted near one alternator, thus avoiding long wires. The second alternator is driven by an alternator driver module which can be mounted near the second alternator. Both the NS2 and the alternator driver have independent noise and transient protection circuits. The NS2 is connected to the alternator driver with a twisted pair of wires, and since there is virtually no power being conducted by those wires electrical noise is not generated.
Order option: #NS2TA-DRVR

Serial Port/Equalization Option

The serial port/equalization option provides a standard serial port interface which works with any computer with a serial port and terminal program. For example: the NS2 can be programmed via a computer to equalize batteries, setpoints can be programmed, and duty cycle current limit can be specified.
Order option: #NS2SP

Dimensions and Mounting

The unit is approximately 2.7 inches (68mm) long, 5.5 inches (138mm) wide, and 1.9 inches (48mm) high.

The NS2 can be mounted in any orientation. The housing is marine grade aluminum which has been clear anodized and silkscreened.

Ordering Information

NS2 Regulators
NS2, 12/24-Volt, P-type #NS2-12/24
NS2, 32/36/48-Volt, P-type #NS2-32/36/48

Factory Installed Options
Note: Factory installed options can not be added to regulators after they leave the factory.
Battery Combiner Option #NS2BC
Two Alternator Option #NS2TA
Serial Port/Equalization Option #NS2SP

Factory Installed Options with Accessories
Battery Combiner Option
w/ 12V, 100A Solenoid #NS2BC12-100
Battery Combiner Option
w/ 12V, 200A Solenoid #NS2BC12-200
Battery Combiner Option
w/ 24V, 100A Solenoid #NS2BC24-100
Battery Combiner Option
w/ 24V, 200A Solenoid #NS2BC24-200
Two Alternator Option
w/ 12/24 Volt Alternator Driver #NS2TA-ALTDRVR-12/24
Serial Port/Equalization Option
w/ 15' serial cable and DB-9 connector #NS2SP-CABLE

Accessories
Temperature Sensor #2018
Temperature Sensor with 20-ft. (6-m) Twisted Pair Wire #2018-WIRE
Additional Plug-in Terminal Block #NS2-TBL
Parallel Solenoid, 12-Volt, 100A #SOL12-100
Parallel Solenoid, 12-Volt, 200A #SOL12-200
Parallel Solenoid, 24-Volt, 100A #SOL24-100
Parallel Solenoid, 24-Volt, 200A #SOL24-200
Alternator Driver, 12/24 Volt #ALTDRVR-12/24

Alternator Snubber (surge suppressor), 12-Volt #1030-12
Alternator Snubber (surge suppressor), 24-Volt #1030-24
Remote Alarm #2003
Water Tight In-Line Fuseholders #WT-FUSE
3 Amp Fast-blow Fuse #AGC3
8 Amp Fast-blow Fuse #AGC8
Alternator Field Disconnect Relay, 12-Volt #RELAY-12
Alternator Field Disconnect Relay, 24-Volt #RELAY-24
Battery Switch, 100A #1132-1
Battery Switch, 500A #1132-500
Single Distribution Post, 3/8¨#1039-1-3/8
Single Distribution Post, 5/16¨#1039-1-5/16
Distribution Bar, 4 Post, 29 screws #1039-4/29
Distribution Bar, 5 Post #1039-5
Distribution Bar, 7 Post #1039-7

Ample Power products are manufactured by Ample Technology, 2442 NW Market St., #43, Seattle, WA 98107 - USA

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