Alternator Double Pulley Long Term Review Results
- Thread starter Tom Katzenberger
- Start date
The power steering pump always had two pulleys and one belt also went to the alternator. When I installed the double pulley on the alternator I pushed the PS pump out as far as it would go and tightened the MATCHED belts from the alternator.
Not just the same model belt - matched belts. They should be nearly identical.
It worked for me.
Not just the same model belt - matched belts. They should be nearly identical.
It worked for me.
I don't think my other 4 coach's have double pulleys on the pwr streering. I will have to check when I get to the shop.
I've considered a flat belt but if you lose one component it has the potential to put you on the side of the road.
With the V belt setup, if you lose the power steering pump, or the alternator, or the A/C compressor, you'll still be able to continue on your trip. And by 'lose', I mean the accessory could lock up and destroy the belt.
If the power steering belt breaks, you continue on without power steering. I drove my coach 2000 miles without power steering to get it to Buffalo NY from El Paso TX. It drives just fine on the highway with no power steering.
If the alternator belt breaks, you run the generator and place a jumper on the Boost relay so the front battery is charged from the rear battery which is charged from the convertor and continue the trip.
If the A/C compressor takes out the belt, if needed, the generator can run the roof A/C and you continue the trip.
You could even lose 2 of those 3 belts, as long as the water pump is still turning you can continue the trip.
With a serpentine belt system, only one of those components needs to 'lock up' and take out the belt and you're kaput. Plus, add in one more component which can fail and take out the belt; the tensioner pulley! Then because nothing is driving the water pump you are now in 'unplanned roadside camping' mode.
When the Volvo Penta 3 cylinder diesel was still installed in my 1984 37 sailboat, it had a 50amp, 12vdc alternator and there was no air conditioning or refrigeration on board. The 28hp motor was an upgrade from the standard 18 hp diesel.
When I installed a drop in Indel refrigerator to replace the ice box, I became concerned that there would not be enough battery capacity or electrical generation.
Initially there were two 75 amp, 12vdc batteries. Then Imore than double the battery capacity.
I then replaced the 50amp alternator with a new 105 amp alternator and the problems began. I could only increase the tension on the v-belt by trying to push the alternator further. It was a useless task. nd the belt would only last about a week.
I then added a second pulley to the alternator and a second one to the drive shaft, but the belts were of different lengths. One also power the salt water engine cooling pump.
When I finally got them about equally tensioned, the alternator left little power left for propulsion and I could only move a half normal speed.
I took out the new alternator and reinstalled the original one.
There was no belt tensioning system.
My 1989 Ford Taurus SHO with the special Yamaha V-6 motor did have a belt tensioning system. I was driving back from a meeting in Long Island to my condo in Keyport, NJ when there was a load bang from the engine compartment and a large racket started. I pulled to the shoulder on the Long Island Expressway and opened the hood. After a long search I found the belt tensioner pulley hanging on the loose belt. It was the belt that powered the alternator.
What to do? I was 100 miles from home and all the repair places were already shut down. Should I call for a tow and then a taxi to take me home. That didn't sound like a good option but was it all that I had?
So I started thinking. The battery was fully charged. There were other belts that were intact and functioning. Only the alternator was out of service. I had a 5 speed manual transmission and the car was getter 26 mpg.
Could I keep the engine running for 100 miles using only battery power?
If I shut everything that used electricity off could I make it home?
Well, I took the chance and it worked.
The bottom line that before you start to add more belts, install a belt tensioner so the can eliminate slippage. I don't think that most GMC Motorhome have them. The tensioner is only a long threaded rod that can add more tension by moving a tensioning pulley with greater accuracy then trying to adjust the alternator's position.
All of the modern serpentine belt systems come with such belt tensioners.
See if one will help you.
When I installed a drop in Indel refrigerator to replace the ice box, I became concerned that there would not be enough battery capacity or electrical generation.
Initially there were two 75 amp, 12vdc batteries. Then Imore than double the battery capacity.
I then replaced the 50amp alternator with a new 105 amp alternator and the problems began. I could only increase the tension on the v-belt by trying to push the alternator further. It was a useless task. nd the belt would only last about a week.
I then added a second pulley to the alternator and a second one to the drive shaft, but the belts were of different lengths. One also power the salt water engine cooling pump.
When I finally got them about equally tensioned, the alternator left little power left for propulsion and I could only move a half normal speed.
I took out the new alternator and reinstalled the original one.
There was no belt tensioning system.
My 1989 Ford Taurus SHO with the special Yamaha V-6 motor did have a belt tensioning system. I was driving back from a meeting in Long Island to my condo in Keyport, NJ when there was a load bang from the engine compartment and a large racket started. I pulled to the shoulder on the Long Island Expressway and opened the hood. After a long search I found the belt tensioner pulley hanging on the loose belt. It was the belt that powered the alternator.
What to do? I was 100 miles from home and all the repair places were already shut down. Should I call for a tow and then a taxi to take me home. That didn't sound like a good option but was it all that I had?
So I started thinking. The battery was fully charged. There were other belts that were intact and functioning. Only the alternator was out of service. I had a 5 speed manual transmission and the car was getter 26 mpg.
Could I keep the engine running for 100 miles using only battery power?
If I shut everything that used electricity off could I make it home?
Well, I took the chance and it worked.
The bottom line that before you start to add more belts, install a belt tensioner so the can eliminate slippage. I don't think that most GMC Motorhome have them. The tensioner is only a long threaded rod that can add more tension by moving a tensioning pulley with greater accuracy then trying to adjust the alternator's position.
All of the modern serpentine belt systems come with such belt tensioners.
See if one will help you.
Thank you, I did purchase 2 tensioners several years ago and never installed them. This may be the motivation needed to get them installed.
I very much appreciate your input and advice.Take care and have a wonderful day.
I very much appreciate your input and advice.Take care and have a wonderful day.
Good day all,
I finished the double belt and double pulley alternator system. I have not test drove as of yet.
I was surprised how little belt wrap there is on the power steering pump. Currently I am concerned that I moved from an alternator belt slippage problem to power steering pump belt slippage problem?
I will cross my fingers.
Also, my alternator pulley is still about 1/4" too far to the rear. I already have 3/4" spacers on the alternator to move it forward and need another approx. 1/4".
Do you guys think a pulley setting 1/4" back to the rear of plane is something of concern? The Exec 165 helicopter rotates the tail rotor belt pulleys 90 degree within 3 belts, (4 pulleys).
Thanks for any input. If the belts slip on the pwr str pump I may be back to where I started.
Take care all,
Tom K.
I finished the double belt and double pulley alternator system. I have not test drove as of yet.
I was surprised how little belt wrap there is on the power steering pump. Currently I am concerned that I moved from an alternator belt slippage problem to power steering pump belt slippage problem?
I will cross my fingers.
Also, my alternator pulley is still about 1/4" too far to the rear. I already have 3/4" spacers on the alternator to move it forward and need another approx. 1/4".
Do you guys think a pulley setting 1/4" back to the rear of plane is something of concern? The Exec 165 helicopter rotates the tail rotor belt pulleys 90 degree within 3 belts, (4 pulleys).
Thanks for any input. If the belts slip on the pwr str pump I may be back to where I started.
Take care all,
Tom K.
Did you adjust the PS pump ALL the way out and then tighten the belts with the alternator only? That really doesn't make much of a difference, but every little bit helps.
As far as the pulley misalignment goes, you should try to get that corrected to a lot closer than 1/4"
Carl,
Thank you, I did pull the power steering pump all the way out for exactly that same reason.
My next step on bringing the alternator pulley on plane was to install a spacer behind the pulley on the shaft if possible. I just didn't want that arm way far out, putting additional pressure on the alternator bearing.
Thanks so much for your input. It might be the additional push I need to make sure it's perfect.
Thanks again,
Tom K.
Thank you, I did pull the power steering pump all the way out for exactly that same reason.
My next step on bringing the alternator pulley on plane was to install a spacer behind the pulley on the shaft if possible. I just didn't want that arm way far out, putting additional pressure on the alternator bearing.
Thanks so much for your input. It might be the additional push I need to make sure it's perfect.
Thanks again,
Tom K.
I don’t know about the offset, of course zero is preferred. When I installed the double pulley I was advised to move the PS pump all the way out and adjust belt tension with only the alternator.
