M-25XP Alternator Bracket

[Mike and Theresa Vaccaro]

Folks,

Am in the process of replacing our alternator (with an identical 51 Amp model), but have found the bracket to be bent, as well as the alternator adjustment arm.  There has been belt wear since we bought the boat last spring, and I suspect the bend in the bracket is the cause of the misalignment.  However, the question is whether the bracket was bent intentially as a means of aligning pulleys?  Additionally, the holes in the bracket are a bit larger than the hole in the alternator (there is play in the alternator mounting bolt)--is this intentional, poor engineering or simply a worn bracket?  The holes appear to be true, i.e., not worn.  Has anyone run across this problem?  Have searched the site, but haven't found anything specific.  Also looking for a contact that can provide technical information for the Universal M-25XP.  Assume this bracket is a Universal vs. Kubota part.  

Would appreciate any input!  

Thanks!

Mike

[Mike and Theresa Vaccaro]

Dear Ron,

Thanks for the quick reply.  This alternator only charges the starting battery (have a separate 5KW alternator for providing AC and charging the house bank), so 51 Amps should be adequite.  A stand-by jumper allows me to use it as an emergency back-up to charge the house bank, if required.

Read your previous article on how to align.  Will have to use a variation on the technique (short bar with spacers) as I have an additional double-groove manchined pulley that drives the large alternator affixed to the forward side of the standard crank pully.  Agree that tensioning the belt couldn't bend the bracket, but my question is whether it may have been bent intentionally (i.e., in a vice) as a means of assuring alignment.  Certainly doesn't seem to be the case, but not much suprises me when it comes to boat mechanics...

Have the manual--was wondering if there was a person that anyone has found to be a helpful point of contact at Universal/Westerbeke.  Concur with your assessment that the adjustment arm can be straightened.

Definitely have to learn more about the Kubota side of things (i.e., tech support)!

Just found the whole rig a bit odd--suppose it was just improperly installed at some point in the past.  Will clean everything up, straighten, reinstall and then mount the new alternator and attempt to align IAW with your instructions.  Was just wondering if anyone had run into a similar situation and how they dealt with it!

Thanks for the help,

Mike

[Mike and Theresa Vaccaro]

Dear Ron,

Concur!  The double pulley runs two belts for a 5KW Seapower system, it actually bolts on to the front of the standard pulley for a total of three belts (on a 23HP engine!).  Less than stellar, but a quick source of AC which keeps the admiral happy--I have a quick lock on the Seapower alternator, so 90% of the time, I don't have it engaged (i.e., slip the belts off)--it also has an internal clutch that works as a function of engine speed.  When engaged, it does strain the engine unless the engine is throttled up to cruising power.  It's primary purpose is to run the microwave and top off the house bank when we're away from shorepower.  As a matter of fact, the manufacturer doesn't recommend installation on engines of 25HP or less since it consumes 3HP per KW!  I wouldn't  recommend this system at all, because as you said, it's designed for a high horsepower engine.  But until the family budget can support a genset, the price was right--it came with the boat.  Our 440 amp hour battery bank serves us well for a weekend without top-off, although I try not to drain the bank below 50% to be as friendly to the batteries as possible.  

We run our starting circuit just like a car--there is no interface other than with the key.  That way, when one of our three kids starts flipping switches, there is no way that they can accidently drain the starting battery.  In lieu of an A/B/Both switch, a set of marine jumper cables can connect the two systems in an emergency.  A stand-by jumper allows me to connect the stock alternator to the house bank to top-off in an emergency as well.  This could all be accomplished with switches, however I figure that violates the KISS principle.  I also like the triple redundancy the system provides.    

Will take your advice and pull the Seapower pulley prior to aligning the new alternator!  

Appreciate the POC's at Westerbeke and will make a note of it.

My primary concern is bringing the electrical system up to speed.  It was a wreck when we bought the boat (neglect/corrosion/improper connections/poor engineering), so we've been replacing the system one portion at a time.  As soon as I get the engine system squared away, we're getting close the the last item on the list:  the rat's nest behind the control panel.  Have already had one near-disaster back there when an AC common corroded and intermittently grounded against a DC circuit (bad on a good bad scale, and why current standards require that AC systems be phyiscally isolated from DC).  It was fortunate I was onboard with the connection physically failed and could repair it immediately.  Think that the recent fire posts on this board are a warning to all folks with older boats like ours.  Our goal is to have a safe efficient system that allows us to concentrate on sailing, not maintenance!

Thanks for all the help--you're a great asset to this organization, and the inexperienced folks like me sure appreciate the guidance.

Cheers,

Mike

[Aaron]

My alternator has for the second time chafed thyough the oil filter right at the end of it. i've adjusted it, but it always seems just to touch enough to cause me a problem. do you guys know of any  smaller oil filters that would work? m25xp engine

[Stu Jackson]

Shorter Oil Filters

When I redid the bracket on our M25 (see FAQs and Projects for the Alternator Bracket Story), I had the same issue.

Here's a copy of my inventory list for oil filters.  You just need to go to a store that has the "equivalents" tables for filters.  

Filter Part #s   OIL   Universal 300309 or 209   Motorcraft FL799 or FL 814     Lee LF-2808   
   (old)   Kubota 7000-15241   Baldwin B179                           Purolator PER-4620
      Fram PH-3593-A (replaces PH 2849A)                               AC PF-57
      NAPA 1064    NAPA 1338                               Wix 51338
   OIL   For NEW Alternator Bracket:
                    NAPA 1356 for new alternator bracket (May 97, page 37)
                    Car Quest 85356 for new alternator bracket (smaller body)
      SHORT FILTERS: per Ron Hill NAPA 1356; BOSH 72182; FRAM PH6607

Stu