O361 Alternator Upgrade - Success ... Maybe

[bsmith15]

I think I am close to finding a solution to my upgrade delima! Using a Balmar 70 series 80 amp alternator, a custom machined spacer for the saddle mount and a custom tensioning arm. Fitted the spacer tonight and it works like a champ. Taking the arm to the machinist tomorrow for him to make the new one.

An additional issue is the alternator electical posts are too deep for the space and scrape the heat exchanger. They do not need to be as long as they are and I am thinking that I can trim them back leaving about a 1/4" of space. Need to call balmar tomorrow and talk to Rick to confirm my solution.

Stay tuned.

 

[bsmith15]

After much anguish and fretting, it works!!! Far superior to the stock alternator and internal regulation. Currently ramping down the belt load manager to find the sweet spot as it relates to load on the engine and slippage/dusting. Current no dusting and all is good.

 

[suttonski]

Hi, I have a 361 with a Westerbeke 30B3 and would like to replace the alternator with abalmar one. I want to intall an external regulator. Do you have any photos you can share wtih me. Do you have a Weterbeke? Whdid you need a spacer and a new arm?
Thanks for the help
Georges

 

[larryw]

You can generally take your current alternator to a shop, have it rebuilt for additional amps, and set up for external regulation at the same time. You can generally run up to about 110 amps on a single belt, too. That way, your mounting stays exactly the same, and most battery set-ups will not really accept much more than what that can put out, temp and and all other things being more or less equal.

 

[suttonski]

Hi Larryw,

Thanks for the info but I am afraid that the alternator will not have the proper ventilation and that it will get very hot. Currently I have a 40Amp alternator which is not much and the internal regulator does not help. I might still do what you are suggesting but I would like to find out how Bsmith15 worked it out on the O361.

Bsmith15, do you have pictures that you could share with me please? I would like to see how you installed your Balmar. You can send me e-mail if you have time. I wanted to isntall a Balmar series 7 with a Max-charge 612, now max-Charge 614.

Thank you both for you help.
Georges