T&T: alternator and pulleys? Maybe or Maybe not

[Wayne & Lynn Flatt]

As full time cruisers here is how we handle our energy challenges.  We have a
12 volt house bank of 1350 amp composed of 6 volt batteries.  We use one 100
amp alternator on each Lehman engine with external manually adjustable
regulators.  We have very little in the way of extra pressure on the belts and
find no need to go through the process of custom pulleys brackets and
gee-gaws.  For whatever reason, probably the small size, the alternators spin
easy, generate well, don't slip or squeal.  We adjust our regulator for our
need during our daily run to bring the house bank up to where it needs to be
so as to minimize over or under charging.  If we are going to be on the hook
more than about 60-70 hours we do need to run the generator or engine to
re-charge since we have a 110 AC household Kenmore refrigerator sucking about
10 amps an hour when compressing.  We manage the refrigerator either with a
timer or turning it off during the night hours when no one is going into it
with no ice melting or food thawing.

Simple is best.  Everything that is put on a boat is another thing to be
maintained.

We have found the more we cruise the more moving parts we take off the boat.
Sounds counter intuitive and non-productive, but in our opinion it is not.

Peace be with you and yours,

Lynn & Wayne Flatt
MV Skinwalker