V-Belt to Serpentine

[ISX_15]

Is it possible to swap older style v-belts (1985 ford ranger v6) to serpentine type? I plan to run high output alternator(s) (240A+) and want the best pulley system. I already have some squeeling going on from a pulley thats ready to go out.

 

[Curious Hound]

Just have to find the pulleys to do it. Might have to add an idler and tensioner pulley.

I'm not sure that micro-V serpentines are any better than V-belts. They're more convenient, maybe, since there is only one. But, since there is inly one, if it breaks, you lose everything - water pump, alternator, power steering and AC. With separate V-belts, you only lose what us served by the broken belt. Load is not an issue for V-belts. I work on equipment with 200hp motors attached to loads with V-belts. In previous jobs, I saw even heavier applications. Personally, I wouldn't see the conversion expense as justified.

 

[ISX_15]

Just have to find the pulleys to do it. Might have to add an idler and tensioner pulley.

I'm not sure that micro-V serpentines are any better than V-belts. They're more convenient, maybe, since there is only one. But, since there is inly one, if it breaks, you lose everything - water pump, alternator, power steering and AC. With separate V-belts, you only lose what us served by the broken belt. Load is not an issue for V-belts. I work on equipment with 200hp motors attached to loads with V-belts. In previous jobs, I saw even heavier applications. Personally, I wouldn't see the conversion expense as justified.

I was thinking about doing those four or five ribs serpentine system. Not sure if I can just grab them off a newer year ranger and fabricate my own idler pulleys and what not.
I was reading online that those high output alternators can work with V belts just fine but the problem is once you start pulling a decent amount of amperage and put a load on the alternator and engine, it can cause belt slip and that fun stuff.
I plan on doing a high powered audio system, engine is just gonna be for spinning alternator(s)
Is there a specific procedure for setting the tension on the belts? Or just tighten it until all the play is gone? When my smog pump went out the pulley for it locked up and into my surprise instead of it shredding the belt, It was just slipping over the pulley.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just have to find the pulleys to do it. Might have to add an idler and tensioner pulley.

I'm not sure that micro-V serpentines are any better than V-belts. They're more convenient, maybe, since there is only one. But, since there is inly one, if it breaks, you lose everything - water pump, alternator, power steering and AC. With separate V-belts, you only lose what us served by the broken belt. Load is not an issue for V-belts. I work on equipment with 200hp motors attached to loads with V-belts. In previous jobs, I saw even heavier applications. Personally, I wouldn't see the conversion expense as justified.

With the smog pump deleted my 2.8 used the same belt belt for both sides. The one that ran the power steering pump was then the same size as the one that ran the alternator, that was kind of neat.

I just carry a spare serpentine belt now. Since my truck didn't have A/C when I first put it together I still have the belt from that as a spare.

micro v does hold better. I noticed that a lot in ag, most tractors run 2 belt sets to try to hold and they don't even have a power steering pump like a street vehicle.