Volvo md2030 poly-V pulleys

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ukyachty2

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Hi, I have a lot of alternator belt wear now that I fitted a charge controller on the alternator. Its not on start up, it's just the 40 amp load over an hour or so. I am cruising on an old Westerly in the Caribbean. Ideally I would like to use a 90 amp alternator as on the Volvo D1-30 with poly-V pulleys. Since the engines are very similar (apart from the air cleaner and heat exchanger), I thought it might be possible to use the pulleys from the D1-30. Can I do this, or is there another way that's going to be relatively inexpensive? Look forward to the discussion.
 
Hi,
did you ever get an answer to your question? We are trying to do exactly the same thing i.e. a poly-V belt on an ME 2030 or any other workable solution. Did you use a 'soft start' alternator manager?
 
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Volvo 2030

Thaks Scottie, much appreciated. Don't suppose you remember how straightforward it was, i.e. straight swap of crankshaft and water pump pullies? They are horribly expensive for what they are so would prefer to avoid ordering to find they don't fit. Alternator of course one can play with a bit more easily in terms of alignment.
 
Check the alignment first of all.

Otherwise, the block has stayed the same as far as I can see.

You could always try asking Volvo Penta direct (they are usually quite helpful) whether you can retro fit the modern pulleys or try e-mailing:

Volspec UK

http://www.volspec.co.uk/ (e-mail: sales@volspec.co.uk)

or Keypart?

http://www.keypart.com/ (e-mail: sales@keypart.com)

I have used all of the above and always found friendly and helpful advice.

I use a sterling alternator charge controller and have some wear using the old style pulleys as well - if that's any comfort.
 
MD 2030 pulleys

Thanks John, that's more grist to the mill. I've tried Volspec and indeed very obliging but lacking in requisite knowledge. They say Volvo UK are next to useless in terms of swapping parts between models. I'll try Keypart. We were thinking of a Sterling or Driftgate alternator mananger on a bigger alternator, but from your experience I guess the existing alternator will be all the belt (9.5mm wide) will take. We'll be changing the cheap charge splitter for a low loss type which may add to the load.
 
I run a 90A alternator on a standard V-belt on a 2003T with an Adverc booster. Works fine - a bit more black belt dust than I'd like, but generally OK. 90A is about the biggest alternator you can drive with an ordinary 9.5mm-10mm V-belt.

So much depends on the size/type of your battery bank; mine is about 660Ah maintenance free.
 
MD 2030 pulleys

Ha, that's really useful, thanks. Driftgate do a 110 amp alternator (ALT 19) by Prestolite which they say is designed to be a straight swap with the 60 amp original but it does come with a half inch pulley rather than 9.5mm. They were non-committal about using a 9.5mm belt. Of course we'll use an alternator manager. Our battery bank will be 240 AH rather than your 600 for which I guess your 90A alternator will have to work quite hard.
 
Meopham1 said:
Our battery bank will be 240 AH rather than your 600 for which I guess your 90A alternator will have to work quite hard.
Click to expand...

If you only have a 240Ah battery bank, you'll rarely see charging currents much in excess of 50A, unless maybe you have AGM batteries. Alternator output depends totally on the ability of the batteries to accept the charge.
 
MD 2030 pulleys

pvb, that's just so helpful, thank you. This thread has been supremely valuable and I have learned a great deal. The way forward is now clear. Thanks to everone.
 
volvo 2030 poly-v belt and pulleys

Hi, I confirm that I am now using the poly-v pulleys off the latest 3 cylinder Volvo on my old MD2030 (crankshaft and water pump). They fit as a straight swap for the old pulleys. The 90 amp Prestolite alternator I bought came with the usual v belt pulley but I changed that for a pulley off a scrap alternator. The original Volvo alternator can also be run with a poly-v pulley too again with a scrap pulley. There is almost no belt wear at all. I can give details of my supplier if you want. I hope this helps, Steve.
 
MD 2030 pulleys

Thanks so much, great news indeed. Can you confirm the "latest" engine is the D1-30, or if not, which one? Yes please to supplier details.
Thanks again.
 
Poly V pulleys Volvo MD2030

I was told the pulleys came from the very latest Volvo engine, however I recommend you speak to the expert and say to him how happy I have been. His name is Terry and he runs a boatyard in Huntingdon UK tel: +44 1480 453 628.
I apologise for the late reply to this thread. Any more questions, please ask. The correct belt is: Gates 5PK838. Best regards, Steve.
 
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