V-belts are an important part of a power transmission system. They allow for the transfer of energy from one source to another. While belts require little maintenance, they can greatly be impacted by improper belt tension. As discussed in the Common Belt Problems blog, improper belt tension is a pioneering cause of issues in the belt drive systems.
There are two scenarios for improper belt tensioning: too tight and too loose.
When a v-belt is too tight:
If a belt is too tight in a system, it can add stress to the bearings. The added stress to bearings can result into over amperage of the motor and potential motor failure.
When a v-belt is too loose:
When a v-belt sits loose on a pulley, the belt can slip while in motion and cause extra friction. The additional friction can result in a buildup of heat on the belt and the pulley. The excess heat can cause premature damage to the belts.
Some symptoms of improper tensioning include:
- Cracking of the belt
- Pieces breaking off
- Hardened appearance
- Squealing during startup
- Over amperage of the motor
- Pulleys wearing out prematurely
- Worn the front motor bearing
How to check the tension of the v-belt:
If they notice any of these issues while examining the drive symptoms, or if they’re installing a new v-belt, they recommend that they test the tension of their v-belts. Follow this step-by-step process to check the tensioning:
- After installation of the belt, take the Optikrik tension gauge and insert the finger underneath the rubber strap.
- Next, place the Optikrik at the center of the belt; lay it flat and parallel with the belt edge and then press slowly and straight down on the belt.
- Continue to press down with the Optikrik until you hear a click.
- After the click, they can now read the belt tension by looking at the cross point of the scale.
- Next, compare the measured tension to what the tension of the belt should be by using Optibelt’s formula.
If the tension is correct, they are good to go. If the tension is off, make some adjustments and continue to test the tension in order to ensure the reliability and up-time of the belt drive system.
