ARCO EXPANDS ALTERNATOR LINE-UP

ARCO’s New High-Output Alternators for 24V & 48V SYSTEMS

If you’ve ever been anchored in a pristine cove or quiet gunk-hole, only to realize your alternator setup couldn’t charge a smartphone without wheezing, ARCO Marine just dropped a game-changer. Meet the Zeus 24V &. 48V high-output alternators—a dynamic duo designed to keep your batteries topped off and your vessel humming, whether you’re at idle or cruising the far reaches.

These new 24V alternators come in two-flavors:

• The Zeus 7kW High Output 24V Alternator: For those who like their amps fast and furious at cruising RPM.
• The Zeus 4kW Low Turn-On (LTO) Alternator: For boats that have a low RPM diesel or for the boater  who values idle-speed charging without the drama.
  

A colleague I worked very closely with during the Zeus regulator development,  Andre Cormier, owner of The Yacht Rigger, says;  “The Zeus 7kW is a beast that delivers over 5,000 watts of continuous power at rated temperatures—out-shining its closest competitor by 1,000 watts and costing half as much.” Talk about punching above its weight class!

The real magic lies in the details. The 4kW LTO model starts pumping out juice at a whisper of RPM, making it perfect for lazy idling at anchor or low RPM cruising. Meanwhile, the 7kW model flexes its muscles at A higher RPM, ensuring your high-demand systems stay happy. Combined with the Zeus Regulator these alts can charge your LiFePo4 batts and do so quickly.

Understanding Alternator Cut-In Speeds: Why RPM Matters?

Let’s talk about alternator cut-in speeds, the unsung heroes (or villains) of your charging system. The cut-in speed is the engine RPM at which your alternator stops being a paperweight and starts producing usable power. Too high, and you’ll be revving your engine like a wannabe cigarette  boat just to get a trickle of charge. ARCO listened to consumers and decided  to wind the new 24V alts in two flavors to suit your needs. I really appreciate how ARCO added the vertical blue dashed line to help you decide between the 4kW LTO and the 7kW.

Bottom line: Lower cut-in speeds, like those on ARCO’s 4kW Low Turn-On (LTO) alternator, are perfect for idling at anchor or creeping through no-wake zones. With this beast, you’re charging batteries and running gadgets even when your engine’s barely awake. On the flip side, high-output models like the Zeus 7kW shine at cruising RPM, delivering massive power once you’re in the sweet spot.

Moral of the story? Match your alternator’s cut-in speed to your engine’s typical RPM range. Otherwise, you’ll either be over-revving or undercharging—and no one wants that kind of drama. Choose wisely, and let those amps flow!

For the gunk hole slow paced cruiser often charging at idle, the 4kW LTO is your trusty 24V option. However, if your adventures demand serious power at cruising speeds, the 7kW is ready to blow you away.

24V Fitment:

ARCO 48V ALTERNATORS:

ARCO also just announced announced the launch of the Zeus A8000-48V, the latest innovation in high-output alternators. Designed with a native 48V rotor, this cutting-edge alternator offers superior efficiency, cooler operation.

The secret weapon is ARCO’s in-house designed native 48V rotor, this cutting-edge alternator offers superior efficiency, cooler operationand unparalleled power generation compared to traditional 48V models.

Revolutionary Performance:

The Zeus A8000-48V alternator is engineered to turn on at lower RPMs while delivering
greater power output than its larger, heavier counterparts. It consistently generates over
3kW (55 Amps) at 2,500 RPM, and nearly 6kW (111 Amps) at 4,000 Alternator RPM.

How does this translate to “real world” applications?

• A marine diesel operating at 1,200 RPM with a 3.13:1 pulley ratio produces
over 5kW (97 Amps).

48V Fittment:

For marine applications the 48V is offered in Yanmar 3.15″, 4″ J180, 1″ foot., 2″ foot and vortex mounts.

48V Efficiency

Unlike many OF ARCO’s competitors who choose to  modify 12V rotors for a 48V alternator, the Zeus A8000-
48V utilizes an in-house designed native 48V rotor! This not only maximizes efficiency but also  prevents
excessive field current reductions, ensuring optimal performance at all RPM levels. The
result? A cooler-running alternator with enhanced longevity, providing reliable power
without the risk of component failure.

“Our customers  have been asking for a 48V offering with the same build quality they’ve
come to expect from ARCO Zeus. What they did not expect was such a great performer,
easily outclassing the competition while using the same footprint as our 12V/24V
products,” said Chris Witzgall, VP of Sales at ARCO. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring
this level of innovation to the market and see how it transforms 48V power solutions.”
The Zeus A8000-48V is now available through ARCO’s authorized distributors and partners.
For more information, visit www.arcomarine.com or contact [email protected]

These alts are very exciting! 24V are shipping now and 48V will be shipping soon!