Why are tension belts important?
Proper belt tension is a critical step when installing a belt. Too little tension results in slippage, excess heat, and premature belt & pulley wear. Too much tension results in excessive stress on belts, bearings, and shafts.
Which is the correct way to tension a V-belt?
The meter will report the belt tension in units of force. On new installations, hand rotate the system at least one full revolution of the belt in order to seat and normalize the components. When tensioning an array of V-belts, use a single belt toward the center.
How is belt tension measured on a pulley?
The Pulley Pro® alignment tool will help monitor the pulley alignment condition as belts are adjusted for the correct tension level. The Gates Sonic Tension Meter measures belt span tension easily and accurately. Belt tension is measured by plucking the belt span while holding a sensor close by.
What happens when there is too little or too much tension on a belt?
Too little tension results in slippage, excess heat, and premature belt & pulley wear. Too much tension results in excessive stress on belts, bearings, and shafts. However, there is still a wide range of tension which a belt will operate satisfactorily.
Can a belt be adjusted to adjust pulley alignment?
It is possible for belt tension adjustments to alter pulley alignment, and for pulley alignment adjustments to alter belt tension levels. The Pulley Pro® alignment tool will help monitor the pulley alignment condition as belts are adjusted for the correct tension level.
How do you increase tension on a belt?
Increase tension on the new belt. Once the belt has been run through all the necessary pulleys, either release the tensioner or use a piece of wood to pry the alternator away from the motor to increase the tension in the belt. With the belt tight, bolt the alternator in place to maintain tension.
What’s the best way to tighten a drive belt?
Tightening the Drive Belt with the Alternator Disconnect the battery. Loosen the bolts attaching the alternator to the bracket. Use a piece of wood as a pry bar to increase the tension on the belt. Tighten the alternator bolts in the new location. Check the belt tension. Reconnect the battery.
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 do you tension a timing belt pulley?
Place the timing belt on each timing belt pulley and ensure proper engagement between the timing belt pulley and timing belt teeth. Lengthen the center distance or adjust the tensioning idler to remove any timing belt slack. Using a tape measure, measure the span length of the drive in inches. Refer to dimension “P” in the diagram above.