I currently have a Mechman 270a in my 2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4 and it's going through belts like crazy. I have checked pulley alignment, tension, and have done everything I can think of to solve it. This only happens when the alternator is under a load when I play my beats. I have roughly 600 amps of draw with nearly 12,000 watts of battery reserve. It does the squealing the worse at idle, and actually tears these belts at higher engine speeds. I use the good Gates belts, but they don't last more than a few weeks. I have had trouble with this alternator several times and had to send it back three times, and swapping these belts, and especially the alternator in my car is a HUGE pain in the ass. Any ideas why this may be happening? I would like to solve this mystery before I have to swap for another alt. Thanks guys. If you need more information I haven't mentioned just ask.

How good of a belt wrap do you have on the pulley?

Edited March 12, 201312 yr by pmureika

How good of a belt rap do you have on the pulley?

The belt is snug around the pulley and cradles it well i'd say. It's a four groove belt, and it stays put.

This is A pic of my mechman 300amp on a 2009 jeep. I am not close to full amp draw.It is a six grove belt withe at least 35% belt rap.

 

Edited March 11, 201312 yr by pmureika

just off the top of my head,

 

have u checked the tensioner assembly

Yes, it works as it should. Up and down is the bolt behind the alt, and in or out is the nut you see there on the side. That's as good as I can get it.

Am I missing something there? I am in no way a mechanic. Lol

From that picture the alignment dont look the best.

How would I correct that?

It has only recently started eating belts. I have had this alternator since 2012.

Edited March 11, 201312 yr by BrutalBasser

I would try a new tensioner first. Also the pulley may be getting worn because its just soft aluminum.

Edited March 11, 201312 yr by pmureika

I would try a new tensioner first.

So I need to buy a new top bracket is what you're saying?

I would try a new tensioner first.

So I need to buy a new top bracket is what you're saying?

The one that puts tension on the belt.

 

I would try a new tensioner first.

So I need to buy a new top bracket is what you're saying?

The one that puts tension on the belt.

 

I'll look into that. Thanks

Plus I would have somebody double check alignment.

http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f75/how-replace-serpentine-belts-tensioner-423670/

I agree Brutal, even from a pic I can tell that belt is not aligned right, if you will notice the alternator appears to be "back" farther than your other components. Hence it is not perfectly in line and will shred them quickly.

Sounds to me that under load the alternator is slipping on your belt. Do you hear a shrieking noise?

 

You could add an idler pulley to your alternator hinge bolt like I did. This greatly increased belt wrap.

Ok, so I took it to a mechanic and it is not aligned properly. Like I said, i'm no mechanic and these are apparently some of the toughest alternators to change. It will be fixed Wednesday, and not by me. Thanks for all the advice, that's why I love this forum.

Let us know how it goes. 

i had this happend to me years ago.... turned out the pully on the alternator was 1 gove too small... the belt looked fine over the pulley but it was just a little too wide,. and after a week or sos driving it would shered ...

 

 so tripple check the pulley

i had this happend to me years ago.... turned out the pully on the alternator was 1 gove too small... the belt looked fine over the pulley but it was just a little too wide,. and after a week or sos driving it would shered ...

 

 so tripple check the pulley

The pulley is a four groove as well. I guess I did something wrong when I put it in, but it is getting fixed. Thanks Jon.

How would I correct that?

depending on the way it is mounted you could just shim it(add some washers on the bolt behind the alternator to make the uneven side stickout further)

How would I correct that?

depending on the way it is mounted you could just shim it(add some washers on the bolt behind the alternator to make the uneven side stickout further)

Oddly enough I tried that, and I think it just made it worse. There was just too much pull on an already weak bracket.