I’m on the Beta test list for software Upgrades to the WakeSpeed WS 500 alternator regulator.
Not because I like testing new software—only marginally more fun than having a root canal, in my view—but because I’m a huge fan of the regulator and firmly believe it’s currently by far the best option for charging most battery banks on offshore yachts, both lead acid and lithium, and so I like to keep up with what my friend-over-the-phone and chief-of-all-things-technical at Wakespeed, Al Thomason, has been cooking up.
The latest release announced that the WakeSpeed will now work with Victron Distribution Voltage and Current Control (DVCC). This matters a lot more than it might appear to at first glance:
Hi John,
If you are in the market for a new alternator regulator, does this mean one should wait a bit or will the software upgrade work with regs bought today? Thanks, Dick
Hi Dick,
The new software will work with all WS 500s, except possibly some early prototypes (although I’m not sure of that caveat). That’s one of the great advantages of the regulator, it’s very much a firmware driven machine, so easy to upgrade as things change.
John,
Not sure where to place this comment regarding your use of artificially generated pictures.
Perhaps you would like to do a poll sometime, but personally I find them annoying: trite and bland and part of what we try to escape from as sailors.
I was actually motivated to comment when I saw the one on this article (Wakespeed-Victron cuddle): people optimised against impossible and undesirable attributes. We should not be promoting dangerous body choices. (Your image generator should “know better”!)
However, the general thought has been simmering as you roll out more and more artificial pictures. Any chance of some good old-fashioned boat tech pictures from your library instead? I am sure Phyllis will waive her royalty fees….
Hi Richard,
Good point. I have been having a bit of fun with AI, but probably should not get too carried away. That said it is useful when, as sometimes happens, I just don’t have an image that will work to lead a tip. I also thought it worked well for the fusing article to make the point that getting AIC right really matters.
Anyway, I’m finding AI a huge productivity enhancer for other things, particularly coding and some research. That said, of course I too worry about where this is going, but as someone who has been in tech for most of my life I think its still important to figure out, and be open minded about, new tools if we want to stay relevant.
Thanks John! You are open-minded as always! Just felt it should be said! And technically, I agree: horses for courses. Always know what you are actually doing. Feel free to move/remove the comment…
Constructive feedback: Some of the other AI images were ok. But this one is kinda gross.
Thanks for making sense of the confusing marketing hype on these electronics!
I just wish the Wakespeed had bluetooth connectivity. I feel like a caveman having to take the cover off and plug in my “android only” phone to do an update. It would be really slick if they made it so you could update it remotely via VRM like you can with Victron devices, but thats probably asking too much. I have a Rec Active BMS, Wakespeed, and Victron system and have been very happy with the communication and overall robustness of the system so far.
Hi Trevor,
I agree on bluetooth and have been beating on poor Al for years are about it: https://www.morganscloud.com/2022/01/30/wakespeed-ws500-best-alternator-regulator-for-lead-acid¹-and-lithium-batteries/
Anyway, good to hear it has worked well for you.
I believe Al is not comfortable with Bluetooth security. (Just from one comment made in a video.)
Hi Fredrick,
I have talked to Al about this a lot. He did not mention security to me, rather his concerns are the lack of reliability with bluetooth for process control. He has no problem with using bluetooth for monitoring.
Would you consider doing a comparative between the Zeus & Wakespeed regulators?
Not having Bluetooth monitoring and BT controls on the Wakespeed is a real deficiency. If not a deal-breaker, it certainly gives one reason to pause…
-evan
Never mind. I just read your assessment of Zeus’ as yet un-implemented Victron integration…
DVCC – My experience
I have had WS500’s (two – twin engine catamaran) with Cerbo and now Ekrano (after lighting strike refit last year). Had a smartshunt and had both WS500’s working flawlessly on DVCC. After switching to Lynx BMS I was hoping for the same, but have had a heck of a time avoiding CAN communication errors when both are active (#93).
They both work perfect when the other is not on.
One complaint after way more hours (days?) of trial and error than I care to mention… is that there is no documentation on the app with language translation from the Wakespeed configuration codes. I export the JSON and try to figure out that way, and am learning the translations. I have read the programming guide about 20 times. I also loaded it into ChatGPT, which is very useful – I loaded my agent with my other victron manuals as well, amazing.
I’ve got a couple more hours of work to put into this, going to try and see if there are conflicts with network assignments. I may reset both WS500s and perhaps the old “unplug” trick may get the network bugs out.
If not, I am going to turn off DVCC and do that math on situations where my charging sources may be too much for comfort.