alternator upgrade Yanmar 3GM30

I am upgrading my alternator to a high output alternator with serpentine belt. I will attempt to do a decent outline of that and then link in a great how-to article on that.
I've noticed that we as a group of Island Packet Yachts owners have a limited audience, and limited population count, to do justice to some of the how-to articles. Hopefully the moderators will not object to linking to a companion site for more detailed information on "how to" articles I think the two sites work together very well.

Emergpa1, how is this project going?

I'm looking forward to hearing how it went (goes, going, will go, etc.. LOL )

Any pix would be appreciated. I'm planning to do this same thing (same engine) next winter.

PB

hello plumbob,
Thanks for reminding me that an update was promised. In hind site i should have posted as the project went along. But as things go other things got in the way, and it is what it is. I will do a summary here and be available when you begin your project this winter.
Overall the project went very well and I would do it again in a heartbeat. The kit fit well and was as advertised. The pulleys really do just bolt on over the old ones. And yes, it is possible to bolt them on backwards, but reversing the mistake is easy enough once you realize you have made it. I did have to call Electromax several times, sometimes two or three times in a day, and they were helpful enough. They do not work on weekends, and only nine to four eastern time. They also are gone for lunch and occasional meetings.
The kit is very well made, although the belt they sent me was too large, and i had to send it back and get a smaller one. They did charge me shipping on that. Also, the "tensioner" that comes with the kit does not work on our engine. So you have to tighten the alternator belt the old fashioned way. I rigged a block and tackle from the boom into the engine compartment and pulled up on the alternator to tension it.
The whole project took about two weeks, off and on. I rewired my engine and instrument panel while I was doing the upgrade. I eliminated the plugs on the wiring harness and used a terminal block. The reason I did this was multifold, but basically I wanted to eliminate the corrosion in the plugs, and to completely understand the wiring. I am glad i did that and you can see the result in the pictures.
As always, by doing it myself a learned a lot about the engine, wiring, and the overall layout. I learned how our instrument panel and warning lights and sending units worked. And I spent lots of time in the engine compartment just meditating on the meaning of life, cruising and why we are here! haha
So I hope this helps, and I heartily recommend the upgrade.
You can get a lot of information on external regulators, alternators, batteries, amp hours, etc, etc, by perusing the following family of forums: Sailboatowners.com (ask all sailor under shared forums), and "musings with mainsail". Also see his how too website: www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects.

[attachment:1]IMG_1036_fotor.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment:2]IMG_1068_fotor_fotor.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment:3]IMG_1089.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment:4]Screen Shot 2014-06-13 at 8.55.20 PM.png[/attachment]

Emergpa1 wrote: hello plumbob,
Thanks for reminding me that an update was promised. In hind site i should have posted as the project went along. But as things go other things got in the way, and it is what it is. I will do a summary here and be available when you begin your project this winter.
Overall the project went very well and I would do it again in a heartbeat. The kit fit well and was as advertised. The pulleys really do just bolt on over the old ones. And yes, it is possible to bolt them on backwards, but reversing the mistake is easy enough once you realize you have made it. I did have to call Electromax several times, sometimes two or three times in a day, and they were helpful enough. They do not work on weekends, and only nine to four eastern time. They also are gone for lunch and occasional meetings.
The kit is very well made, although the belt they sent me was too large, and i had to send it back and get a smaller one. They did charge me shipping on that. Also, the "tensioner" that comes with the kit does not work on our engine. So you have to tighten the alternator belt the old fashioned way. I rigged a block and tackle from the boom into the engine compartment and pulled up on the alternator to tension it.
The whole project took about two weeks, off and on. I rewired my engine and instrument panel while I was doing the upgrade. I eliminated the plugs on the wiring harness and used a terminal block. The reason I did this was multifold, but basically I wanted to eliminate the corrosion in the plugs, and to completely understand the wiring. I am glad i did that and you can see the result in the pictures.
As always, by doing it myself a learned a lot about the engine, wiring, and the overall layout. I learned how our instrument panel and warning lights and sending units worked. And I spent lots of time in the engine compartment just meditating on the meaning of life, cruising and why we are here! haha
So I hope this helps, and I heartily recommend the upgrade.
You can get a lot of information on external regulators, alternators, batteries, amp hours, etc, etc, by perusing the following family of forums: Sailboatowners.com (ask all sailor under shared forums), and "musings with mainsail". Also see his how too website: www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects.

[attachment:3]IMG_1089.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment:4]Screen Shot 2014-06-13 at 8.55.20 PM.png[/attachment]

Retry the photos

Also consider this link to the thread pictured below

forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=957603