Bang for no buck?

[Boatman]

I have aquired a free Denso 160amp alternator, was thinking of installing it on a VP 2030 will it work?

No doubt I will have to change the belt connections to get the correct spinning ratio but I should get a much higher output. BTW the domestic bank is 600ah.

What does everyone think?

 

[halcyon]

I have aquired a free Denso 160amp alternator, was thinking of installing it on a VP 2030 will it work?

No doubt I will have to change the belt connections to get the correct spinning ratio but I should get a much higher output. BTW the domestic bank is 600ah.

What does everyone think?

Will the rest of the charging system handle 160 amp ?

Brian

 

[Boatman]

Quick answer yes as all been upgraded over a few years. Possibly need to change a few cables but they are over specd at the moment.

But was wondering about loss of power on engine........ and cooling issues

 

[TQA]

Your biggest problem will be the belt drive. 160 amps needs more than a single V belt.

 

[Boatman]

Not sure I understand why i need 2 belts, as it's a direct drive. I am obviously missing something.

 

[Tranona]

A single belt will not take the load. A double pulley and belts will be needed. They are available for some engines - don't know about the 2030. Recommended for alternators over 90 amps ( standard is 55)

 

[Boatman]

Thanks, just googled re double belts and stress factors on bearings etc and start to understand.

It's a project that might have varying impacts as a new Denso alternator is approx $200 significantly cheaper than most small marine ones and I am currently building a 12v genenerator, another story but if I can get it right then massive charging for not alot of fuel..........

It goes along with issues of which battery etc etc (Think best bang for a buck is T105 or is it the forklift stuff)

 

[William_H]

The large alternator will be beneficial if only ina longer life or more reliable. It is highly unlikely that you will end up charging at 160 amps. Firstly even the large battery bank will unlikely take so much current unless the voltage is raised ie witha smart regulator.
Unless you gear the alternator to correct speed it again will not charge at full rate.
So it unlikely you will get any more load on the engine than present alternator and even if you do it will be only for short period.
I suggest you fit the alternator with single belt ie pulley off the old alternator and see how it goes. Any squealing from the belt especially on initial start of charge or excessive wear of the belt will indicate that yes you do need twin belt arrangement. All though i think you can get single belts capable of higher power transmission than usual types. good luck olewill

 

[Boatman]

Thanks for the reply, am looking at gearing so that it performs at a higher level and investigating regulator (I already have 2 sterling regulators on board so have seen the difference).

As for output a 600ah bank should take 150amp charge it's OLA at 14.8v when 50% discharged (another discussion) but a 100amp result from the alternator would be a GREAT result??????????

Peter

 

[john_morris_uk]

Thanks for the reply, am looking at gearing so that it performs at a higher level and investigating regulator (I already have 2 sterling regulators on board so have seen the difference).

As for output a 600ah bank should take 150amp charge it's OLA at 14.8v when 50% discharged (another discussion) but a 100amp result from the alternator would be a GREAT result??????????

Peter

Yes - sort of.

Your battery bank will certainly accept a large charge for a period of time, (maybe even 100 amps plus) but even with a smart charge regulator you can't alter the physics of the battery and the rate at which charge 'gets into' the plates. There comes a point at which raising the voltage even higher to force more charge into the battery doesn't alter the charge rate at all, but just produces more gassing and electrolyte loss.

Remember that the 160 amps the alternator boasts can only be achieved under the most favourable conditions. As soon as the alternator warms up and the batteries stop accepting the charge under any sort of reasonable voltage then the current will start to tail away.

Having said that, it would certainly be a worthwhile modification.

VP make a kit to add a second alternator to a 2030 and it might be worth having a look at that? A double belt or large multi ribbed flat style belt is essential for the reasons already given.

You asked about engine power. 160 amps at 14.5 volts is nearly 2.5 kw and with losses in the generating process might be over 2.75 kw. 2.75 kw is approximately 3.75 hp from the engine.
Last edited by john_morris_uk; Today at 07:11.

 

[macd]

If you were ever to pull 160amps out of it, it'd fry a V-belt in short order. Best option would be a polyvee* (sometimes called serpentine) belt conversion. Probably not a huge job to convert if you could source the right pulleys, but the sourcing would probably not be easy.

* if you need to find out what they look like, peer under the bonnet of just about any car made in the last few decades, then ponder the question "are marine engine manufacturers taking the p*ss?".