How tight do V belts need to be?
The belt should have no more than a 1/2 inch of slack to be properly tensioned. Adjust the belt as needed from the adjustment bolt until the slack in the belt is no more than a 1/2 inch.
How Do You Measure V belt tension?
Belt tension is measured by plucking the belt span while holding a sensor close by. Belt tension is adjusted until the belt span frequency, or measured tension level is within manufacturer’s recommendations.
How do you tension a pulley?
Turn the adjustment bolt on the side, top or bottom of the pulley counterclockwise with the ratchet and socket until the accessory belt is loose enough to remove. Tighten the tensioner pulley by turning the adjustment bolt clockwise with the ratchet and socket until the belt is tight.
Can a tight belt ruin an alternator?
An over-tightened belt can burn out any bearing that the belt rotates on, including alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, idler pulleys, etc. An over-tightened timing belt can ruin any pulley bearing it is connected with.
How much tension do you need for a V-belt?
Designed for the tension testing of a drive with two or more belts, this pocket-sized tool measures V-belts from 10” to 170” and up to 35 pounds of tension. Measure belt span and measure the force required to deflect any one of the belts 1/64” for every inch of span length.
How is the tension of a belt measured?
Tension ranges above are for drives requiring single belts. If multiple belts are needed for a drive, divide tension by number of belts to give per belt tension to be measured. Step 2: Run belt for five minutes. Step 3: If belt tension drops below Suggested Tension range, retighten belt to Installation Tension.
What should the deflection be on a V-belt?
Compare this force with the value given in the V-belt tensioning table. If the force is below the recommended value, increase the drive center distance to provide greater belt tension. Reduce the center distance if there is too much force. For example, for a 100″ span, the deflection would be 100/64″, or approximately, 1½”.
What makes a V-belt pulley stand out?
What makes a V-belt pulley stand out from other types of pulleys, such as a round belt or flat pulley, are the V-shaped grooves of the pulley; these grooves guide the belt and allow it to gain traction. The number one cause of a power transmission belt failure is improper tensioning.