[C38] Alternators

[Max Soto]

Tom, you are right, but I think that Larry's engine model (kubota) has been
already marinized by Betamarine, and Balmar already has serpentine pulleys
available, so he might be that lucky and find them already available on the
market.
Max

2011/11/8 tdtron at earthlink.net <tdtron at earthlink.net>

> Hello Larry and group,
>
> I am retired from the automobile business and was a technician (mechanic)
> in my earlier years.
>
> When the serpentine belts first became popular on cars, they drove us crazy
> with squealing problems.  Unlike a v-belt, a serpentine must be have
> perfect alignment from all pulleys. The car makers were used to getting it
> close with v-belts but close was not good enough when it came to the
> serpentine belts.
>
> We had factory recalls using shim kits to move various components of the
> system so the belts would line up right correctly.  A v-belt is extremely
> forgiving but not so with the serpentine.
>
> That being said, as you know there is no comparison in efficiency using a
> serpentine belt and I see your argument for a conversion to serpentine.
> There is very little horsepower waste with a serpentine belt where a v-belt
> robs a lot of horsepower.
>
> I think your idea of a conversion to serpentine would be a great benefit
> but at what expense?  If there was already a kit on the market to replace
> the pulleys and also shim the components for perfect alignment it may make
> a good project but going it alone may be more of a project than can be
> justified.  I expect you would have to fabricate the pulleys from welding
> serpentine rims to the existing pulleys, etc.,  making this endeavor more
> of a career than a project.  Keeping the existing pulley ratios would also
> complicate the procedure.
>
> If Kabota uses serpentine belts on their current crop of tractor engines
> and the pulleys would fit your engine and components, your project just may
> be feasible, but again, at what expense?  The reference it Kabota is
> assuming you are using a Universal engine.  Any other engine would present
> the same logistics for pulley replacement.
>
> Anyway, that is my opinion.  I am always a fool for jumping into this type
> of project but thankfully I sold my boat or I would be trying to figure out
> how to make this worthwhile upgrade.  I have a simple machine shop and weld
> shop but having these capabilities and equipment can be a curse.  Smarter
> people than me know when to say no or they pay someone else to do the dirty
> work but I was never that smart.
>
> Tom Troncalli
> Recovering ex-38 owner
>
>
>
>
>
> > [Original Message]
> > From: Larry Malmberg <Larrypi at roadrunner.com>
> > To: <hlhowell at pacbell.net>; Catalina 38 Listserve
> <listserve at catalina38.org>
> > Date: 11/8/2011 8:59:41 AM
> > Subject: Re: [C38] Alternators
> >
> > I have been considering going to a serpentine belt system.  Has anyone
> done
> > this?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Larry Malmberg
> > Team Hassle
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
> > [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of les
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 3:30 AM
> > To: listserve at catalina38.org
> > Subject: Re: [C38] Alternators
> >
> > Also, with higher amperage, dual belts are recommended starting at about
> > 100A.
> > On JACE, the original 5424 frontplate cracked, probably from the
> alternator
> > load when I put the 91A presto lite on it.
> >
> > On the original engines the lower bolt hole is cast into the front
> housing
> > of the engine, which is cast metal, and quite brittle.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Les H
> > On Sun, 2011-11-06 at 21:57 -0800, Steve Smolinske wrote:
> > > One cautioin on higher load alternators or dual is they will put more
> > mechanical load on the mounting bracket and engine and can fail as a
> result.
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ________________________________
> >
> >
> >
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> >
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>
>
>
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>


-- 
Max Soto
C38 #198 ESTANCIA
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
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