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Alternator Help- Should I Upgrade?


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So ever since I bought my 2002 Sunsetter a year ago, it has been eating v-belts. The boat had sat up for a couple years before I got it, so when the first belt broke after about 30 hours I figured no big deal it and replaced it. Then I noticed the new belt wearing thin. I thought maybe the alignment was off and shimmed the alternator a little to improve the alignment. I feel the alternator is well aligned, but within only a few dozen hours of use the 3rd belt had worn down noticeably and there is rubber belt dust all over the engine compartment. I am now thinking that the cause is corrosion on the alternator pulley. With the summer season starting up I want to get this fixed so I don't worry about it.

The question is do I just replace the pulley, replace the entire alternator (the whole alternator has a lot of corrosion) with an equivalent alternator, or replace the 51 amp alternator a higher output one?

My current alternator is a Leece-Neville Model 8RG2062 (Sales No. 105-306), and I assume it was the stock alternator for this boat (2000 Sunsetter LX with the Monsoon 325). I believe it is a 51 amp alternator. My voltage gauges shows about 13.5V when cruising, and about 12.5V with engine off, so I assume the alternator output is as expected (maybe a little low?). In addition to the standard equipment I have Rockford Fosgate Punch P400x4 and P500x2 amps pushing my inboard speakers and tower speakers, and some interior LEDs that I doubt draw much current. I also plan to add another amp and a sub at some point in the near future (probably in the 400W to 600W range). I suspect that after the sub is installed, pulling more than 100 amps is likely as I typically have the speakers cranked pretty high when cruising around. I do have a two battery set up with a charging relay that combines the batteries when charging but otherwise isolate the sound system and engine battery. I will sometimes park at the cove for several hours and run the sound system battery down just below 12.0V before cruising around again. I usually shore charge via an on-board smart charger after everyday on the water.

 

 

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Yes. With the use that you describe, you'll prob want to move to a newer 70amp alternator. I did this on my 2001 VLX. I had to use another belt to get it to fit properly IIRC.  Don't have the boat any more but it worked like a champ.  just make sure you upgrade your wiring to handle the extra current. 

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