Balmar squealing

[BigAl.NZ]

Our Balmar is rated for 90A output and connected to house bank.

I admit our batteries are a bit stuffed, and last night the Balmar was putting out 22A into the house batts, and the belt was squealing quite a bit. Throttled back and all was ok at 18A.

Its a gates green stripe V belt, and tension and alignment looks ok (but I will double check).

My question is I assume that 22A should be no problem for this alt, even with a V belt, and there is no need for it to squeal if all is in working order right?

I have also de-rated the regulator, so I am disappointed there is still squealing.

[smac999]

you have belt / pulley issues. either too lose or something is bad.

I installed a 200a alt today on boat. at first it squealed over 100a. I tightened the double v belt. no squealing at 200a. well I measured 198a...

22a is nothing.

[JPA Cate]

If it is the belt that is squealing, either it is ready to break, or it needs tightening. It should only deflect about a cm. If it is at the end of its lifetime, and you tighten it, it will break soon.

For a high output alternator, use the best dang belts you can find.

Ann

[Emmalina]

What is nice is the Balmar external reg that ramps up the load nice and slowly so no sudden shock on the belts !

[Reefmagnet]

Don't discount the possibility of a dud bearing in the alternator either!

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

Don't discount the possibility of a dud bearing in the alternator either!

Should be able to distinguish between belt and bearing noise by use of the "mechanic's stethoscope", ie a stiff dowel or a screwdriver with one end on the alternator case and the other in your hand and pressed to an ear. If a bad bearing is present, the noise will be evident immediately.

Jim

[jamhass]

By the way, don't be fooled by the "magic" belt dressings that claim to eliminate belt squeaks. Don't even think about going there ... unless you have a replacement belt on hand.

[a64pilot]

Bearing noise won’t usually decrease with load, and is usually a grinding noise, a whirring sort of roar.
V belts are problematic, I gave up and went serpentine, my factory 80 amp are them

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by jamhass

By the way, don't be fooled by the "magic" belt dressings that claim to eliminate belt squeaks. Don't even think about going there ... unless you have a replacement belt on hand.

That's odd... I used a spray can "belt grip" potion very successfully on our previous boat, driving a 120 A alternator with a 1/2 inch belt. Helped a lot and did not seem to cause shortening belt life.

Jim

[sanibel sailor]

I think a single V-belt is supposed to be good to about 100 amps.

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

That's odd... I used a spray can "belt grip" potion very successfully on our previous boat, driving a 120 A alternator with a 1/2 inch belt. Helped a lot and did not seem to cause shortening belt life.

Jim

+1 for belt grip. It's good stuff. I've used it on worn out printer rollers to get a bit more life out of them. Just need to run off a few test pages after application.



We used to rub a bar of soap on squealing car belts back in the old days to stop them squealing. Not sure what happened if the belt got wet but I don't recall anyone complaining.

[Emmalina]

If its the bearing take the belt of and spin it by hand .. you will hear and feel if its the bearing.