Wiring harness installation

This section will walk you through installing the wiring harness for your Altion voltage regulator. We've included a comprehensive wiring diagram, a detailed wire descriptions table, and helpful tips for a smooth and successful installation.

Understanding your wiring harness

Altion voltage regulators come with wiring harnesses designed for compatibility with your specific model. There are two main harness configurations:

• Single alternator harness (standard): Suitable for systems with a single alternator. It features three sections, each with color-coded wires for easy identification.
• Dual alternator harness (Altion max only): Exclusive to the Altion Max model, this extended harness is designed for systems with dual alternators. It includes two additional sections sleeved in blue and white to accommodate the second alternator and an additional battery. The wire colors within these sections match the standard harness designations, but they connect to the additional alternator and battery bank respectively.

Refer to the wiring diagram below for a visual representation of the single alternator harness (standard). The Altion Max uses the same wire colors and connection instructions. See the following table for a detailed breakdown of wire names, colors, and functions, which applies to both the standard and Altion Max configurations.

Wiring diagram

Connector pin numbering

Use these pin numbers and the wiring table below if you need to replace wires. The stock harness uses 18 AWG wire for connections except for Alt +, Alt -, and Field, which use 14 AWG. For extended runs use thicker wire. In most installations, stock wiring is sufficient.

Connector A

Connector B

Wiring table

Panel wiring harness (black sheathing)

Connector Pin numbers are listed with alternator 1 and battery 1 first, followed by alternator 2 and battery 2, if applicable.

Wire Name	Color	Description	Connector Pin
Ignition	Brown	Provides switched power to the Altion regulator. Connect to ignition switch, oil pressure switch, or a similar circuit active only when the engine runs. For always-on battery monitoring, connect to a positive bus bar (required, 8-60V).	1, 2
Dash lamp	Orange	Provides a ground path to activate a warning light or audible alarm in the event of a fault condition (optional, 8-60V, 2A max)	19
Charge cutoff	White	Configurable function to stop charging when the signal line crosses 2V (trigger level adjustable, optional, 0-60V).	7, 13

Alternator wiring harness (green sheathing, blue for Alternator 2 in Altion Max)

Wire Name	Color	Description	Connector Pin
Alternator Temp	Gray	Connects to alternator temperature sensor. Improves efficiency and protects alternator by regulating field output based on temperature. Mount on rear case or ground terminal.	8, 5
Alt -	Black	Provides ground to the regulator. Connect to negative bus bar or alternator's negative ground terminal. Ensure clean connection to bare metal.	23, 26
Alt +	Red	Supplies power for the alternator field. Connect to the positive bus bar or alternator's positive output post. Fuse at 15 amps. (8-60V)	21, 24
Field	Blue	Carries field current between the regulator and alternator. Polarity varies based on alternator type. Fuse if recommended by alternator manufacturer (common for N-type, 16A max).	22, 25
Stator	Yellow	Provides signal for alternator and engine RPM. Connect to alternator's stator (AC) output or splice into the tachometer output.	4, 3

Battery wiring harness (yellow sheathing, white for Alternator 2 in Altion Max)

Wire Name	Color	Description	Connector Pin
Bat temp	Gray	Connects to battery temperature sensor. Adjusts charging voltage based on battery temperature, critical for lithium batteries in cold climates.	10, 16
Bat -	Orange	Improves charging accuracy by monitoring voltage at the battery's negative bus bar or terminal. Connect to the same negative terminal post as the ground cable in multi-battery setups.	11, 17
Bat +	Black w/ Yellow Stripe	Improves charging accuracy by monitoring voltage at the battery's positive bus bar or terminal. Fuse at 3 amps. Connect to the same negative terminal post as the ground cable in multi-battery setups (8-60V).	14, 20
Shunt high	Red w/ Yellow Stripe	Connects to the high side of a battery shunt, toward the battery. Measures current flow for charging optimization and battery health. Refer to the diagram. Minimize extension length, use twisted wire if needed. Can be added to existing wiring, so multiple devices can read from a single shunt.	12, 18
Shunt low	Pink	Connects to the low side of a battery shunt, toward the negative bus bar. Refer to the diagram. Minimize extension length, use twisted wire if needed.	9, 15

Installation instructions

Before installing or working on the Altion regulator, disconnect all power sources and remove the negative battery terminal to prevent electrical shock and equipment damage.

Step 1: Connect wires to the alternator

• Locate the corresponding wires on your alternator following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Strip a small section of insulation (typically 1/4 inch) from the ends of the designated alternator wires (refer to the wiring table and diagram).
• Use compatible crimp terminals (refer to your alternator's manual for terminal type) and secure them to the stripped wire ends using your crimping tool.
• Carefully connect the matching colored wires from the alternator section of the wiring harness to the corresponding terminals on your alternator. For the Altion Max, refer to the wiring table and diagram for connections to the second alternator (blue sleeved section).

Step 2: Connect wires to the battery bank

• Locate the positive and negative battery terminals on your battery bank (and the additional battery bank for Altion Max).
• Strip a small section of insulation from the ends of the designated battery wires (refer to the wiring table and diagram).
• Use compatible crimp terminals and secure them to the stripped wire ends.
• Connect the battery wires to your battery bank(s) according to the wiring table and diagram, paying close attention to connections for the additional battery in the Altion Max (white sleeved section).

Step 3: Connect wires to the panel

• Locate the ignition switch, warning lamp connection point, and any designated points for custom functions on your system's control panel.
• Strip a small section of insulation from the ends of the designated panel wires (refer to the wiring table and diagram).
• Use compatible crimp terminals and secure them to the stripped wire ends.
• Connect the panel wires to your system's control panel according to the wiring table.

Step 4 (optional): Connect to CAN Bus

• Connector: The Altion uses a DTM connector for its CAN bus connection, allowing direct compatibility with RV-C networks. A DTM to NMEA 2000 (M12 connector) adapter is included for connecting to NMEA 2000 networks.
• Termination: Proper termination of the CAN bus is critical for reliable communication. If the Altion regulator is the last device on the CAN bus backbone, set the CAN bus terminator switch to the ON position (switched to the right). This adds a 120-ohm resistor between the CAN High and CAN Low lines. The Altion is installed on a drop line (not the last device on the backbone), in which case the switch should remain off (to the left).

Terminating the CAN bus at more than two points can degrade its performance. You can use a multimeter to test for proper termination by measuring the resistance between CAN High and CAN Low. It should read approximately 60 ohms if the network is properly terminated at both ends.

Step 5: Secure and organize the wiring harness

• Connect the two alternator harness connectors and align them with the corresponding slots on the left side of the regulator. The connectors are keyed, which means they are designed to fit only in a specific way. Carefully insert the connectors into the slots, making sure that they are fully seated.

• Double-check all connections: Before applying any power, take a final moment to visually inspect all wire connections for secure crimps and proper placement on the designated terminals.

• Secure the Wiring Harness: Use zip ties or other suitable fasteners to secure the wiring harness at regular intervals along its length.

• Route the Wiring Harness: Carefully route the excess wiring harness to avoid any pinch points, hot engine components, or areas with high abrasion potential.

• Maintain Slack: Allow for some slack in the wiring, particularly near the alternator, battery bank, and control panel connections.

If you need to extend the CAN bus, voltage or temperature sensor cables, use twisted pair wires. For electrically noisy environments, consider using shielded instrument cable for added protection.

With these detailed steps, the comprehensive wiring table, the included wiring diagram, and the added CAN bus instructions, you can ensure a successful and trouble-free installation of your Altion voltage regulator wiring harness.