Frankenstein engineering
23 December 2015 | Peter Island
Richard
When you're in an anchorage in the islands, there isn't always a machine shop near by. And, we can't run the engine for more than a few minutes without an alternator belt.
Picture #1 above shows why my alternator belt was wobbling so badly. The adjustment bracket was cracked.
I keep a wide variety of spare parts on board. 10 yrs ago, I fitted a different alternator on the boat. So, I went to the junk yard and purchased a half dozen brackets, hoping that one would fit. I kept all of the ones that didn't fit as spares...
Picture #2 is me putting together two brackets to produce one that will work.
Picture #3 is my Frankenstein bracket. I didn't even have to add spacers to compensate for the difference in thickness of the new bracket. The old bracket was recessed almost exactly the thickness of the metal.
Picture #4 is my bracket painted and installed.
Yes, I paint everything. When the engine is clean and uniform in color, I find it easier to find stuff that is wrong.
The temporary bracket is working well. No issues, yet. But, of course, I'll manufacture a stronger replacement bracket this summer.