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Alternator Drive Belts




In order to get current out of an alternator this requires a considerable amount of work on the part of an alternator belt. If designing the system for LFP there is no better option I know of than a multi-rib or serpentine belt kit for your alternator. I suppose you could design a geared PTO system but $$$$$...


A single serpentine belt is capable of driving 190A - 200A of current with less heat, less belt tension and less strain on water pump or alternator bearings.


NOTE: Universal & Westerbeke suggest the largest alternator they want to see on their engines is 190A. Yanmar has no such advisory that I have been able to find. With proper regulation you can run a 225A + alternator current limited to 190A, and do this all day long.


#1 Choice = Serpentine / Multi-Rib (Balmar, Mark Grasser DC Solutions or ElectroMaax)


#2 Choice = Dual belt configuration. This is a very distant second choice. Dual belt kits rarely if ever work as intended or share the load equally among belts. On an LFP bank they can become a belt dust nightmare. Matched pairs of belts are also getting extremely tough to find because even industry has moved away from v-belts. You will have belt dust issues with a dual-pulley/belt configuration driving LFP. Unless you already have dual belts, spend your money on a serpentine kit.


#3 Choice = 1/2" Single V-Belt - A single 1/2" v-belt driving LFP should be limited to approx 80A of current. I do not advise charging LFP with a single v-belt.


#4 Choice = 3/8" Single V-Belt - A single 3/8" v-belt driving LFP should be limited to approx 60A of current. I do not advise charging LFP with a single v-belt.


NOTE: I am ignoring common wisdom that a single 1/2" belt can drive 100A and a 3/8" belt can drive 80A. This is all well and good with lead acid but not for 3+ hours at full bore with LFP. The same goes for large banks of AGM or GEL with a small alternator...


PHOTO: An ElectroMaax serpentine pulley kit and a Mark Grasser DC Solutions Premier Series 140A alternator.





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