alternator belt wear

[iron horse]

I installed a blue circle 100 amp alternator with an ARS-5 regulator and can't keep the belts from wearing. I tried to "trick" the anlternator by setting the belt feature on the programming  as an 120 A unit with a 3/8 belt to no avail. Any comments on this anyone?

[Stu Jackson]

1.  Use a belt tensioner:  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3667.0.html

2.  Instead of using the programming feature of the regulator, use the small engine mode and a simple toggle switch: 

                  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4669.0.html
and
               
                  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4454.msg27149.html#msg27149

3.  Assure belt alignment with the pulleys.

We got a lot of belt dust at first, but it's gone soon after a new belt is installed.  We still use the 3/8" belt, 7400 length.

We have the same alternator with a Balmar MaxCharge 612 regulator.  Your ARS5 ought to have the same Small Engine Mode controls.  I took a quick look at the instructions for the ARS5, and while I didn't see a Small Engine Mode, what you do is wire the alternator temperature output and input (#10 and #11) with a toggle switch, it puts it on 50% output.  Download and read the M612 manual at www.balmar.net.

[iron horse]

I did the straight endge trick and the pulleys could be a 1/16th out and I think thats within the parameters. I appreciate all the advice I received and eventually contacted a tech at Balmar and the reply was " yes you can bridge the temp sensor leads with and on/off switch and get a 50% reduction. Now to find out how to get all that belt dust out of and from around the engine

[Ron Hill]

Iron : I'd try another washer and get that 1/16" aligned to zero and see if that wasn't the problem.  Old belt??
Which pulley are you measuring alignment from?  I use the water pump AND the drive pulley at the bottom. 
A thought

[iron horse]

okay. Never tried the water pump. I'll do that. Think I'll have to grind off some metal on the alternater to get it moved rearward.