I have a H 33.5 with a Yanmar 3gm30 that has a stock 80amp Hitachi alternator. I have 4 golf carts and want to upgrade to a larger alternator, a 115/120amp. Anybody been there and done that ?
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belts and regulators
Anything over 65 amps will need 2 belts to drive it. As you have an 80 amp already you should be all set. If you don't have 2 drive belts it is most likely due to the alternator only putting out 80 amps for very short periods of time. This is due to the "automotive" type regulator that is installed on most alternators. It is designed to recharge the starting battery. The starting battery does not see the kind of load and discharge that a deep cycle house battery does and just needs a surge of energy to replace what the starter used then it goes to a "trickle" charge mode. Your house batteries will take forever to get recharged using a standard regulator. Your new "high output" alternator should either come with a multi stage regulator or no regulator at all. If you don't get a regulator then you will need to buy one. Multi stage regulators control the alternator to reduce the amount of time you need to charge up deep cycle batteries. In doing so they really stress the belts. Another approach for the "weekender" is to use the battery charger to do all the house battery charging while at the dock during the week. The alternator does not even get connected to the house battery bank and you just size your house bank to get you through the weekend. This eliminates the need for a high output alternator. I used this approach for quite a few years to for go the purchase of a high output alternator and associated pulleys and regulators.....
Anything over 65 amps will need 2 belts to drive it. As you have an 80 amp already you should be all set. If you don't have 2 drive belts it is most likely due to the alternator only putting out 80 amps for very short periods of time. This is due to the "automotive" type regulator that is installed on most alternators. It is designed to recharge the starting battery. The starting battery does not see the kind of load and discharge that a deep cycle house battery does and just needs a surge of energy to replace what the starter used then it goes to a "trickle" charge mode. Your house batteries will take forever to get recharged using a standard regulator. Your new "high output" alternator should either come with a multi stage regulator or no regulator at all. If you don't get a regulator then you will need to buy one. Multi stage regulators control the alternator to reduce the amount of time you need to charge up deep cycle batteries. In doing so they really stress the belts. Another approach for the "weekender" is to use the battery charger to do all the house battery charging while at the dock during the week. The alternator does not even get connected to the house battery bank and you just size your house bank to get you through the weekend. This eliminates the need for a high output alternator. I used this approach for quite a few years to for go the purchase of a high output alternator and associated pulleys and regulators.....
Alternator upgrade
Balmar states that you can use a single (1/2 inch) belt up to 100 amps but double belts are required above that. I have a 100 amp Balmar alternator with a high output regulator on my 3GM30 Yanmar with no problems. The Balmar was a direct replacement for the 65 amp Hitachi and required no modification other than the wiring to the external regulator. A multi-stage regulator is must though to get the maximum utilization and will provide a much faster charge and a longer life for your batteries.
Balmar states that you can use a single (1/2 inch) belt up to 100 amps but double belts are required above that. I have a 100 amp Balmar alternator with a high output regulator on my 3GM30 Yanmar with no problems. The Balmar was a direct replacement for the 65 amp Hitachi and required no modification other than the wiring to the external regulator. A multi-stage regulator is must though to get the maximum utilization and will provide a much faster charge and a longer life for your batteries.
Lyle?
Do you have the Balmar model #'s involved in your retrofit? You have a 35.5 with the 3GM30, correct? So their 100 amp unit bolted right in, on same bracket(s)as stock with no tension adjustment problems? Balmar #'s for 100 amp and regulator would be of great help if you have them.
Do you have the Balmar model #'s involved in your retrofit? You have a 35.5 with the 3GM30, correct? So their 100 amp unit bolted right in, on same bracket(s)as stock with no tension adjustment problems? Balmar #'s for 100 amp and regulator would be of great help if you have them.
Balmar #s
Yes I have a 1995 Legend 35.5. The alternator is a Balmar 90-100 model and the regulator is a ASR-5. The alternator bolts right on with no modification and is a direct replacement for the Hitachi that came with the 3GM30. The external regulator has to be wired in but the instructions that come with the unit are very straight forward and not difficult. The whole installation took me not much more than 1 hour and the improvement in charging capability is astounding. I have 4 - 6 volt golf cart batteries for the house bank and a seperate start battery.
Yes I have a 1995 Legend 35.5. The alternator is a Balmar 90-100 model and the regulator is a ASR-5. The alternator bolts right on with no modification and is a direct replacement for the Hitachi that came with the 3GM30. The external regulator has to be wired in but the instructions that come with the unit are very straight forward and not difficult. The whole installation took me not much more than 1 hour and the improvement in charging capability is astounding. I have 4 - 6 volt golf cart batteries for the house bank and a seperate start battery.
Ditto Lyle's Comment
We have the same system that Lyle has: 4ea golf carts and a start battery with a Balmar alternator and regulator although it's an older ARS-II model. I've used this system for 14 years now and it works really great. With regard to belts, though, be careful what you decide on. The larger the alternator, obviously, the greater the load on the belt. The consequence to high belt tension is greater loading on the alternator bearings. To low of a belt tension and it'll slip and this'll cause premature belt wear and overheating of the armature which won't be covered under warranty because this is abusive use. To minimize problems, either go with a double belt system or a smaller alternator with a single belt. The Balmar alternators are rated "Hot" where as the Hitachi is probably rated "cold". For your four-golf cart system I'm surprised the Hitachi isn't okay. If the output isn't what you like maybe the diodes are getting worn out - this will cause a reduction in output.
We have the same system that Lyle has: 4ea golf carts and a start battery with a Balmar alternator and regulator although it's an older ARS-II model. I've used this system for 14 years now and it works really great. With regard to belts, though, be careful what you decide on. The larger the alternator, obviously, the greater the load on the belt. The consequence to high belt tension is greater loading on the alternator bearings. To low of a belt tension and it'll slip and this'll cause premature belt wear and overheating of the armature which won't be covered under warranty because this is abusive use. To minimize problems, either go with a double belt system or a smaller alternator with a single belt. The Balmar alternators are rated "Hot" where as the Hitachi is probably rated "cold". For your four-golf cart system I'm surprised the Hitachi isn't okay. If the output isn't what you like maybe the diodes are getting worn out - this will cause a reduction in output.
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