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Main Message Board / Re: Balmar Serpentine Belt Kit
« on: February 15, 2023, 05:41:17 AM »
Rod, would you have the model # of the Alternator that I purchased from you?
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Main Message Board / Re: Balmar Serpentine Belt Kit
« on: February 15, 2023, 04:26:20 AM »
Thanks Rod, Yes, both the new Crank pulley and the existing crank pulley have 3 holes.
I had to go check a pic of the engine and check the pic from Balmar.
I had to go check a pic of the engine and check the pic from Balmar.
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Main Message Board / Re: Balmar Serpentine Belt Kit
« on: February 13, 2023, 07:22:18 AM »
Will do.
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Main Message Board / Re: Balmar Serpentine Belt Kit
« on: February 13, 2023, 07:14:41 AM »
Just spoke with Mike at Balmar ( thanks for the ph# Ron )
The Balmar 48-USP-M25 is the appropriate Serpentine Belt Kit for the Universal M25-XP
:)
Paul
The Balmar 48-USP-M25 is the appropriate Serpentine Belt Kit for the Universal M25-XP
:)
Paul
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Main Message Board / Re: Balmar Serpentine Belt Kit
« on: February 13, 2023, 06:59:21 AM »
The 'Why'
Belt dust despite great efforts at alignment.
Our alternator ( purchased from Maine Sail ) is a Balmar 100A, we had it serviced a couple of years back and the shop ran it up to 140Amps, it's powerful.
We have a Balmar MC 618 external regulator and have it throttled down to 75% to keep the load down to prevent squealing despite keeping the belt tension set appropriately.
I'm about to install 300Ah of LiFePo4 batteries and they can suck up the power ( hence the MC 618 ) but I'll be happy to fill the new batteries when we run the engine.
I have upgraded our electrical system substantially over the past year, a full Victron System, with the intent of replacing the Lead Acid Batteries which don't last very long here in SoFla.
Here's a link to my blog posts that show what we have done.
Belt dust despite great efforts at alignment.
Our alternator ( purchased from Maine Sail ) is a Balmar 100A, we had it serviced a couple of years back and the shop ran it up to 140Amps, it's powerful.
We have a Balmar MC 618 external regulator and have it throttled down to 75% to keep the load down to prevent squealing despite keeping the belt tension set appropriately.
I'm about to install 300Ah of LiFePo4 batteries and they can suck up the power ( hence the MC 618 ) but I'll be happy to fill the new batteries when we run the engine.
I have upgraded our electrical system substantially over the past year, a full Victron System, with the intent of replacing the Lead Acid Batteries which don't last very long here in SoFla.
Here's a link to my blog posts that show what we have done.
6
Main Message Board / Re: Balmar Serpentine Belt Kit
« on: February 09, 2023, 02:43:56 PM »
Thanks Ron. I'll ask.
Paul
Paul
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Main Message Board / Balmar Serpentine Belt Kit
« on: February 09, 2023, 12:08:02 PM »
The thin Alternator support Arm on our 1987 C34 Tall Rig Fin Keel's M25-XP Universal Engine broke.
I had a new support arm manufactured by a local engineering shop.
Now I feel that it's time to replace the V-Belt with a Serpentine belt, I'm very impressed by the improvements my sailing buddies have experienced on their, different, boats.
Looking at the Balmar 48-USP-M25 Pulley Kit.
I have checked and there is plenty of room between the front of the alternator, crank shaft and coolant pump pulleys to fit the wider serpentine belt pulleys and I can get all of the pulley bolts loosed except for the Alternator which I plan to take to a local alt shop and have them pull the old pulley off and install the new one.
The only question I have is: Is this the correct sized kit? ( Balmar 48-USP-M25 Pulley Kit)
TIA.
Paul
I had a new support arm manufactured by a local engineering shop.
Now I feel that it's time to replace the V-Belt with a Serpentine belt, I'm very impressed by the improvements my sailing buddies have experienced on their, different, boats.
Looking at the Balmar 48-USP-M25 Pulley Kit.
I have checked and there is plenty of room between the front of the alternator, crank shaft and coolant pump pulleys to fit the wider serpentine belt pulleys and I can get all of the pulley bolts loosed except for the Alternator which I plan to take to a local alt shop and have them pull the old pulley off and install the new one.
The only question I have is: Is this the correct sized kit? ( Balmar 48-USP-M25 Pulley Kit)
TIA.
Paul
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Main Message Board / Re: Pigtail to Honda 2200 generator
« on: October 15, 2022, 07:23:44 PM »Paul-
Why did you not just use your shore power cord with Smartplug plugged into the boat and the 30A twist end into the Honda? Or, with an adaptor on the 30A end that plugs into your Honda household plug outlet?
I didn't want to run the 50' cable to connect the Generator ( at the back of the cockpit ) to the Boat Receptical ( just about 8' from the generator) :)
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Main Message Board / Re: Pigtail to Honda 2200 generator
« on: October 13, 2022, 05:03:51 AM »
I upgraded our shore power connection to a Smart Plug
Then purchased a second Smart Plug and made up a pigtail, about 10' long, to connect our Honda 2000 using a regular 30Amp shore end plug.
Paul
Then purchased a second Smart Plug and made up a pigtail, about 10' long, to connect our Honda 2000 using a regular 30Amp shore end plug.
Paul
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Main Message Board / Re: New Start Battery
« on: October 13, 2022, 04:58:58 AM »
Alex, do you have Solar too?
Currently I have 1x170W, 2x65w and Victron 100/20 MPPT and that also charges the House Bank. ( Upgrading to 510w in the Spring )
I'm guessing that if the house bank V is high enough due to Solar Charging then the B2B will kick in also. Of course, if the Start battery is fully charged it won't be an issue.
Paul
Currently I have 1x170W, 2x65w and Victron 100/20 MPPT and that also charges the House Bank. ( Upgrading to 510w in the Spring )
I'm guessing that if the house bank V is high enough due to Solar Charging then the B2B will kick in also. Of course, if the Start battery is fully charged it won't be an issue.
Paul
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Main Message Board / Re: New Start Battery
« on: October 13, 2022, 04:47:39 AM »
That sounds like the exact system I'm setting up for the Start Battery. The Victron Orion Smart TR 12/12 18Amp B2B charger is on it's way. ( From eMarine in Fort Lauderdale but they're waiting for delivery )
BTW, my system is on Victron World, I'm in South Florida. I think there are only 2 of us, me and Vitality. https://vrm.victronenergy.com/world/# no password required.
If it arrives early enough, the B2B will be installed before we head out for a 4 day cruise up the ICW next Friday. ( with the new battery )
Paul
BTW, my system is on Victron World, I'm in South Florida. I think there are only 2 of us, me and Vitality. https://vrm.victronenergy.com/world/# no password required.
If it arrives early enough, the B2B will be installed before we head out for a 4 day cruise up the ICW next Friday. ( with the new battery )
Paul
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Main Message Board / Re: New Start Battery
« on: October 12, 2022, 11:08:17 AM »
The current battery is only charged when shore power is onboard and we don't leave shore power connected unless we're working on the boat, and then the charging status was only via a Xantrex trickle charger and, unbeknown to us, that was not working consistently. When we realized the failure of the charging and trickle charging system, I changed out the Xantrex with a complete Victron System.
The alternator is not connected to the Start Battery.
Also, we're in South Florida, the conditions down here are fatal to batteries and not having a reliable charging system only reduces their lifetime.
As mentioned, I'm going to install a B2B charger for the Start Battery.
The alternator is not connected to the Start Battery.
Also, we're in South Florida, the conditions down here are fatal to batteries and not having a reliable charging system only reduces their lifetime.
As mentioned, I'm going to install a B2B charger for the Start Battery.
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Main Message Board / Re: New Start Battery
« on: October 12, 2022, 07:14:50 AM »
The side mounted terminals option is the same for Eximius, I'm pretty sure there's not enough space above the battery for top mounted terminals. The AGM requirement is simply because that's what we have and it has worked great.
Got a link to that interstate?
Paul
Got a link to that interstate?
Paul
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Main Message Board / New Start Battery
« on: October 12, 2022, 06:13:42 AM »
Hi Guys, time to replace the Start Battery ( 5 years old and getting cranky )
I'm in the process of installing a Victron BtoB battery charger to my system ( just finished replacing the entire electrical power management system ). The B2B will charge the Start battery from the House Battery ( currently a 2S2P Trojan T105 6v Battery bank but getting replaced with a LiFePo4 battery bank by the end of the $year.
The current Duracell 12v AGM battery has the terminals on the side and it's mounted under the hanging locker aft of the Nav Table.
Not sure if our current battery is the most appropriate, but definitely want an AGM.
Can you suggest the most appropriate ratings for the battery and any recommendations for the battery brands.
Thanks
Paul
I'm in the process of installing a Victron BtoB battery charger to my system ( just finished replacing the entire electrical power management system ). The B2B will charge the Start battery from the House Battery ( currently a 2S2P Trojan T105 6v Battery bank but getting replaced with a LiFePo4 battery bank by the end of the $year.
The current Duracell 12v AGM battery has the terminals on the side and it's mounted under the hanging locker aft of the Nav Table.
Not sure if our current battery is the most appropriate, but definitely want an AGM.
Can you suggest the most appropriate ratings for the battery and any recommendations for the battery brands.
Thanks
Paul
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Main Message Board / Re: Mounting a Raymarine Rudder Position Sensor (Raypilot Rudder Reference M81105)
« on: January 05, 2022, 07:18:13 AM »
Looks good, the differences between the Mk1 and MkII stand out. Not sure if we could remove our Water tank without surgery.
Had the opportunity to actually use our EV-100 Wheel pilot upgrade this past weekend. The responsiveness compared to the old Raymarine Wheel pilot is amazing and I believe that it's the Rudder Position Sensor that made a big difference.
Paul
Had the opportunity to actually use our EV-100 Wheel pilot upgrade this past weekend. The responsiveness compared to the old Raymarine Wheel pilot is amazing and I believe that it's the Rudder Position Sensor that made a big difference.
Paul