[C320-list] 4 D Battery Replacement

[Jeff Hare]

I have a single belt 125A alternator using the same belt width as the stock
yanmar one.

I replace the belt every year and keep the old one as the spare.  Costs me
~$10 for a high end Gates Green Stripe belt and the engine certainly notices
this when the batteries are drawn down, but the belt would easily go a
couple seasons if I let it.  It does produce a bit of black dust from the
load, and I do re-tension it mid season.

-Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Stephen Cox
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 7:57 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] 4 D Battery Replacement

The Balmar Alternator Regulator Guide suggests you will struggle with a
single belt pulley on that size alternator.  You would need to check its
width at the very least.  Is it 1/2" or 3/8" and what is fitted on your
engine now?

Extract from Guide:

	When  replacing an alternator  in  the stock engine position,
	you're  really  facing  the  issue  of  physical  limitation  on
the
	belt and side load on the water circulation pump. We don't
	drive more than a 75 amp high output Balmar marine alter-
	nator on a single 3/8" undedicated belt, or a 100 amp on a
	7/16"-1/2"  undedicated  belt.  Even  though  the  numbers
	might not seem much higher than say a 55 amp stock auto-
	motive  type  alternator, most  people  see  a  huge  improve-
	ment in performance between the two. That is because the
	alternators are designed to perform two very different jobs:
	the stock alternator  is designed  for handling  light constant
	loads (such as lights, fans, radios, etc.) and the high output
	marine alternator is designed to charge banks of batteries.
	To move up to our 150 amp alternator, a dual dedicated belt
	is required.


Stephen Cox
Tegwen #1141 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com 
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of 
> crashley at gte.net
> Sent: Sunday, 20 April 2008 3:04 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] 4 D Battery Replacement
> 
> Pete,
> 
> The Balmar 120A 60 series alternator I got came with a single 
> belt pulley. I haven't installed it yet but it looks like it 
> should fit okay. It also looks there's an adjustment in the 
> external voltage regulator to reduce the output current if 
> the load is too great for the engine.
> 
> Thanks,
> CRA
> Rosebud #882
>