Let customers speak for us
from 10 reviewsSince Spring I have been part of a technical advisory board to help ARCO MARINE develop a new alternator regulator. The concept was to keep it simple to use and program while offering all the features of the most demanding boater or technician. We worked directly with ARCOs engineers to create state of the art charging, for any battery chemistry, while able to protect small engines with large alternator output. There are many new features included, that I have personally been testing on my own cruising sailboat this season, and the ARCO Zeus regulator has been spot on for my LiFePO4 batteries. I know of nothing in the industry that compares to the functionality of the ARCO ZEUS Regulator.
I have recently purchased an ARCO alternator from you and am very pleased with the appearing quality and function. I am a full-time auto mechanic and your quality is far above anything I see from auto parts stores. So far, I am very impressed with your products.
The performance of this unit really has lived up to the impressive test results ARCO has published. Really amazing power at idle RPMs, and it runs really cool when doing it. The smaller size of the frame (compared to other large frame units) should make install easier (it did on this install for sure).
Certainly the core design (windings/rectifier) appear to be state of the art, and I have high hopes for the cerakote.
This is the first time trying out 2 of your Zeus regulators on a customers boat. The quality looks great and I'll be using them in the future if all goes well.
Zeus for us is freedom. Being able to charge our big lithium battery bank without having to run the generator, and being able to monitor everything from the helm or my phone feels like the future!
I was asked by the team at ARCO Marine to create a wish list for the perfect smart regulator and high output alternator. Knowing the team at ARCO was first class, I jumped at the opportunity to help. Watching and helping ARCO Marine work to create the Zeus became one of the best Professional experiences in my career. I am confident in saying that the Zeus regulator adds tremendous value in its simplicity and programmability. Also...... working with Caza Gomis, Andre Cormier, Bob Campbell, and Rod Collins was a real treat. Between the ARCO team and the Technical Advisory board, this was a true dream team of product development. Every one of them are true Industry professionals. Looking forward to 2024.
When I was invited to be a member of the ARCO Zeus advisory board I was a bit skeptical. I knew ARCO, but I knew them to sell stock replacement alternators, starters etc.. In other-words nothing to get very excited about? I then had a long conversation about the new Alternator regulator they were working on with their CEO, and he really impressed me. He swore the advisory board was to be handpicked with industry experts from both marine and the RV industries and in the end it was an amazing team. I've been involved in a number of new product designs, so know how this normally works... The speed, efficiency and access to the engineers, coders/designers inside ARCO was astounding and like nothing I'd ever seen. They operated insanely efficiently. We literally went from ideas on paper to a finished design in a matter of weeks. When it came to the Zeus app they were once again very responsive and never wasted a second correcting noted issues. Working together with ARCO on the Zeus Regulator, which is sorely needed in the industry, was a joy! Watch out for ARCO Lots of great stuff in the works.
ARCO Zeus A225s High Output Alternator
- Price
- $909
Description
The Highest Power Output Alternator in Its Class - High Output / High Amperage Alternator
- Engineered for high energy production.
- Suitable for marine, RV, military, and commercial applications.
- Rapidly charges large battery banks.
-
Coolest operating temperatures for increased performance, running 8-20% cooler than incumbent alternators due to:
- Heat shedding coatings
- Rectifier located on housing exterior
- Dual cooling fans
- OEM components
- Optimized for performance at idle speeds.
- Reduces the need for a generator by creating additional power with your engine.
-
Unleash peak performance with E-Coat/Cerakote. Our advanced coating absorbs less heat, keeping the A225S cooler for sustained amperage output.
-
For maximum performance or lithium battery charging, use the ARCO Zeus Bluetooth Alternator Regulator.
- SAE J1171 Certified.
- Models available with internal/external voltage regulator.
- Proudly made in the U.S.A.
Technical Specifications
Voltage | 12V |
Field Type | P |
Rotor Poles | 16 |
Stator Size | 130mm |
Frame Size | Small |
Weight | 12 lbs / 6.7 kg |
Regulation | Internal/External (IE) or External Only (EX) |
Output Voltage | 14.1V (default) |
Finish | (Black) Cerakote or E-coating |
Cut-In RPM | 1,061 Alternator RPM |
Maximum Alt RPM | 19,000 |
Battery Post | M8 Thread Post, Side Mount |
Standard Pulley | 49K6 (6-groove, 49mm) |
Pulley Mount | 17mm diameter shaft, 25mm long, threaded M17 x 1.5 |
Pulley Hardware | M17 x 1.5 x 24mm nut, w/ 18mm ID x 29mm OD washer (Included) |
Diodes | 6 positive, 6 negative, 50A Rated, Avalanche |
Max Output (Cold, 9,000 RPM) | 254 Amps |
Sustained Cruising Output (Hot, 6,000 RPM) | 187 Amps |
Sustained Idle Output (Hot, 3,000 RPM) | 157 Amps |
Mounting Options and Applications
Mounting | ARCO Part Number | Application |
1-2” Single Foot | A225S-12-SF12-EX-49K6 A225S-12-SF12-IE-49K6 | Replaces most domestic styles using a single 1or 2”mounting foot (e.g., Motorola, Prestolite). |
3.15” J180 Saddle | A225S-12-DF315-EX-49K6 A225S-12-DF315-IE-49K6 | Replaces most small case styles using a 3.15” J180 saddle style mount (e.g., Hitachi, Lucas, Mitsubishi) Most Yanmars. |
Vortec/GM | A225S-12-VT-EX-49K6 A225S-12-VT-IE-49K6 | Replaces Mando type alternators using Vortec/ GM pad mounting feet (Found on many Mercruiser and Volvo Penta 3.0GLM, 3.0GLP, 4.3GXi, 5.7GiL, 5.7GXiL Marine Engines.) (GM Blocks ) |
Regulation
External Only (EX): These units will come with a terminal block and a P-Type harness. They will only work with an external regulator, such as an ARCO Zeus Bluetooth alternator regulator.
Internal/External (IE): Internally regulated with adaptor for optional external regulation.
Transparency - How We Test For Output
To measure sustained output, the alternator is run at 3,000 RPMs for 60 minutes with a plexiglass shield covering the units. Testing shows that after 60 minutes in these conditions, alternators reach their maximum operating temperature, or the conditions under which the unit will produce the least output.
It is under these harsh conditions where we measure the “hot” output of the units at various RPMs. The complete power curve is shown above.
Note: The “hot” conditions are much less favorable than the conditions typically used in the industry. The temperature of the stator during our “hot” test was 305 °F. Incumbents measure the power curve at an ambient temperature of 140 °F. “Cold” testing was done at 71° F.
Cross-Reference
ARCO Zeus A225S | APS | Mechman | Balmar |
A225S-12-DF315-EX-49K6 | 255HSB1H652S9E4 | - | - |
A225S-12-DF315-IE-49K6 | - | - | XT-CR-170-K6 |
A225S-12-SF12-EX-49K6 | - | - | - |
A225S-12-SF12-IE-49K6 | - | M7294170 | XT-SF-170-K6 |
A225S-12-VT-EX-49K6 | - | - | - |
A225S-12-VT-IE-49K6 | 255HGM1H652S9 | M8237170 | XT-VT-170-K6 |
SKU Details
Voltage | Maximum Output (Amps) | Sustained Idle Output (Amps) | Housing | Regulation | Pulley | Release Date | Unit Part # |
12V | 254 | 187 | Vortec (GM) | External Only | 49mm K6 | TBD | A225S-12-VT-EX-49K6 |
12V | 254 | 187 | Vortec (GM) | Internal or External | 49mm K6 | TBD | A225S-12-VT-IE-49K6 |
12V | 254 | 187 | 1"-2" Single Foot | External Only | 49mm K6 | TBD | A225S-12-SF12-EX-49K6 |
12V | 254 | 187 | 1"-2" Single Foot | Internal or External | 49mm K6 | TBD | A225S-12-SF12-IE-49K6 |
12V | 254 | 187 | 3.15" J180 | External Only | 49mm K6 | TBD | A225S-12-DF315-EX-49K6 |
12V | 254 | 187 | 3.15" J180 | Internal or External | 49mm K6 | TBD | A225S-12-DF315-IE-49K6 |