[alfa] Alternators

["Allen Mitchell" <allenom@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

If you run your motor at high RPM for extended periods, you might
consider putting a larger pulley on your alternator.  I compared the size
of the OEM pulley with the size of the crank pulley, to determine what
RPM it was spending most of its time at.  The alternator is rated to
produce its max output at or above a particular RPM.  Since I spent a lot
of time at 5-7000 RPM, a bigger alternator pulley would allow me to keep
it spinning fast enough to run my electrical system, while not wasting
power on running it a lot faster than necessary.  Also, this reduces wear
and tear on the bearings of the alternator.  Apparently alternators
occasionally catastrophically fail when subjected to prolonged high RPMs,
too.

Canton Racing Products makes some big pulleys.  I had to cut a keyway in
the one I put on my Bosch alternator, but it was easy because the pulley
is made of aluminum.  Never had a low voltage problem.

-Al
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