Alternator questions

[SV Sedna]

I have a Yanmar 4JH3-TE with a stock Hitachi 80amp alternator. I was looking at an alternator upgrade. I would like to keep the Hitachi s a spare.

I am considering the the Balmar AT 165amp with a serpentine belt upgrade, then it struck me that the Hitachi would no longer be a bolt on replacement as it uses a standard v-belt.

I then found that the Balmar 6 series 150amp comes with a single belt option. Looks like a bolt on solution and I can use the Hitachi as a spare.

Any problems in my thought process? Should I at least upgrade to a double belt system or am I ok with a single?

Thanks
Chris

[DougR]

It might help if you read Balmars own intallation literature, which basically states not to go more than 95 or 100 amps on a single 1/2 inch belt. Anything more will be asking for problems.

DougR

[Acushla]

That is too much load for a single "V" belt drive.

Acushla

[Lepke]

On my mains I went from 80 amp alternators to 140 amp. Anywhere near full amps the belts would slip. If I stopped the slipping the belt life was a couple days. I went to dual belts and no problem.
Why not change the back up alternator to duel belt and you still have a bolt on spare or just use one of the belts.

[a64pilot]

Or, why not just put a serpentine pulley on the back up?
I kept my stock as a back up, plan is if needed pull the serpentine pulley of of my new big alt and put it on the stock one.
Serpentine is in my opinion much better than dual V belts, for one thing matched sets are hard to come by now


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Opie91]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Or, why not just put a serpentine pulley on the back up?
I kept my stock as a back up, plan is if needed pull the serpentine pulley of of my new big alt and put it on the stock one.
Serpentine is in my opinion much better than dual V belts, for one thing matched sets are hard to come by now


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Agree 100%. Go serpentine and you will wonder why you did not do it earlier.