Answer
Apr 23, 2026 - 01:56 PM
Yes, many Balmar and Arco models on the site are listed as Isolated Ground (IG) versions. These are essential for aluminum boats or certain steel-hulled vessels to prevent stray current from using the engine block as a return path, which helps avoid electrolysis and corrosion. They are sometimes found on boats with saildrives because the aluminum of the saildrive is particularly sensitive to corrosion, and they also appear on the newer, bigger, all electronic controlled engines where current flow in the engine block could upset the delicate electronics. Isolated ground alternators should be fitted anytime the engine they are being mounted on is isolated ground.
You can tell if your engine is an isolated ground by looking at where the DC Battery Cable connects to the engine or starter motor. In an isolated ground engine it will connect to an insulated terminal on the starter motor itself, if its a non-isolated ground engine it will just connect to the engine block directly.
You can tell if your engine is an isolated ground by looking at where the DC Battery Cable connects to the engine or starter motor. In an isolated ground engine it will connect to an insulated terminal on the starter motor itself, if its a non-isolated ground engine it will just connect to the engine block directly.
