VP 2003 high output Alternator

[mldpt]

HI
Has anybody had experience of 105A Prestolite alternator on a 2003, I am considering investing in one for next season, the original Paris Rhone 55A one has finally died having been repaired several times over the last 10 years, I have A TWC and two 120AH service batteries ans a dedicated starter battery. I gues I have been asking too much of the poor old ParisRhone, thats why it died, I also have a box to take another Battery so I could have three 120AH which 105A alternator could cope with, but will the existing single belt drive cope with it if not how do I double the belts, I know that its a simple job attaching another pully to the engine, and I can purchase a double pully to the alternator, but what about the water pump pully, or do I keep the two seperate and put an adjuster on to the water pump pully. I hope there is somebody who has already done this Modification.
Mike

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[pvb]

Mike, I have a Prestolite alternator on my 2003, but I installed it as a second alternator using the special Volvo bracket. The Prestolite/Leece-Neville alternators are excellent - durable, well-made, high output at fairly low revs. There's no reason why you shouldn't fit one in place of the standard alternator, just make sure it has the 2" foot.

However, you won't drive a 105A unit satisfactorily with a single belt, and it's just too complex to double up the water pump pulley. I'd also suspect that the water pump bearings would fail prematurely if you tensioned a single belt enough to stop slippage.

My Prestolite is a 90A unit, running on a single belt, and it's just about OK (slips and squeals sometimes on startup when the batteries are low). I'd recommend that 90A is the max size you should fit, and there's really no point in getting anything bigger because your battery bank won't take the current anyway. If you buy it from Adverc, they'll adapt it for you to take the Adverc control wire.

To minimise belt slip and dust generation, you need to use a premium-quality belt. I've found that Gates Super HC belts are pretty good, you can get them from <A target="_blank" HREF=http://rswww.com>RS Components</A>.

If you have any special questions, PM me and I'll try to help.

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