Higher Output Alternator

[tseibert]

I need to replace my Alternator for my 1981 Universal Diesel 5424. As long as I'm replacing I want a bit more output than the stock alternator (for 12v refrig) . My research so far seems to suggest that unless you add dual belts you won't get the benifit of say a 100 amper. Has anyone tried a Balmar HO with standard stock 5424 pulleys or the new 72 amp Leece-Neville / Prestolite. Mine is a motorola with what looks like a 2 " foot . Suggestions ? Issues ?
Thanks in Advance

[roscoe1]

Sorry but I don't know the answer to your altinator
battery problem but I do know who will help you
try www.jackrabbitmarine.com good luck

[mackinac]

I was just at a free diesel engine seminar in Annapolis conducted by the guy that runs Annapolis Diesel Engines. I am confident he is VERY experienced. He said you an go up to 100 amps with a single belt. If you want to add double belts to minimize wear on your water pump and alternator bearings, contact Sea Frost (refrigeration). He said they make very nice pulleys and they are reasonable.

I would like to upgrade my alternator/charger as well. Do you have a suggestion for an easy swapout on a Univesal 5424??

[tseibert]

Thanks for the Pulley info, I've been researching the alternator for my 1981 5424 my original was a 55 amp MOTOROLA MR12N600 D . I'm trying to decide on either a lower cost replacment or a HO with seperate regulator $$ . I just have 2 grp 27's for now and besides a few 1 week trips I day sail mostly. I do have refrigeration. I have I just stopped at a local rebuilder to see if he had a suggestions and asked for a 72 or 90 amp and he's checking for me. He mentioned Gasoline motors and boats with Propane should use an alternator specially equipped. The tach for the diesel is also sometimes special if required. Following Harris's Lead on his replacment. I found that www3.telus.net/Atomic_4_Eng_Service/Tuneup_Parts_Price_List.htm
had some suggestions for 72 and 90 amp's (and other 5424 parts too). I'll let you know what my rebuilder suggests this weekend. My 5424 mount has a 2" foot for mounting

[tseibert]

I made a choice on my Alternator replacment, and it seems like it will fit onto the 5424 and in to my budget. As I had said I checked with a local rebuilder and he said he would check in to it for me. He called back and said he could fix me up with a rebuilt Delco replacment with the tach ouput for the diesel which is not a typical option. for about $100. He again wanted to verify I did not have a gasoline motor or a propane stove but said if I did he would need to add a screen to the inside of the alternator. . I've done business with this rebuilder for over 20 years and I know he will honor his work if I have any problems. So I gave him the nod and it was ready te next day. He had to add the tach wire and terminal as they were not the standard offering and matched all my other exisitng connections , he ended up supplying a 94AMP Delco with a 2" foot and an internal regulator. he said it was used in GM's up till about 1986 if I ever was out of town and needed a replacement He put a larger fan than normal and hoped I would have enough clearance for the mount . He used a 3/8" pulley . The Alternator was a bit bigger in diameter than the orignal 55 AMP but the mount looked identical. I brought it home and it bolted right on . So mounting looks OK and I won't know the final outcome untill spring but it looks like this will work fine for my 2 grp 27's and I'm hoping the increase in ouput will help my DC requirements. There may be some drawback as it uses an internal regulator so might not be good for Gel's , and also will not offer you the startup delay offered by some of the HO mfg. For my limited crising for the next few years this should be OK if I was planning extended cruising I might look at other HO alternators but this is a low cost option as a replacment. My suggestion to others would be to take it to a alternator shop you or someone else has had experiance with and take your old alternator and bracket and wiring info with you for them to match up. Hope this is helpful to others, I have some Pic's if someone needs

[hirover]

You may be better off getting a separate 3 stage alternator charge controller/regulator than a humongous alternator. The controllers that are built into the alternators don't put out the optimum voltage for charging. They cut back the voltage/amperage real quick so you end up running the engine much longer than you would with a more effective regulator. performance.