We have an Ample Power high output altornator on our boat. The
alternator seems to have worn out belts quickly from the beginning.
It appears that the Universal 30 hp came with a 40 amp alternator and
the standard for those is a 3/8 in. belt. The high -out put
alternator was bolted on as a direct replacement. It is not uncommon
to run 80 amps for a while in morning while recharging the battery
consumption from the night before. Industrial, high performance
belts do work ok but I need to keep an eye on it and tighten when
needed. As it turns out, Ample Power has gone to 1/2 in sheeves on
the alternators now, probably from complaints about consuming belts
too quickly. (Ample Power's customer support really stinks; it is
most impossible to email a real person,; they use a message that's
hard to use.) I am thinking of putting a separate 1/2 in. sheeve on
the drive shaft and running a 1/2 in belt to just the alternator.
The water pump can continue to run off the 3/8 in. belt.
Has anyone similar belt wear problems, any suggestions on belt
supplier part numbers, anyone just bit the bullet and add a separet
belt to the alternator?
Any discussion/suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Ken Bitting
Cosmos N33 #60
Mystic, CT