How much tension on a fan belt

A Belt Tension Meter is a hand-held device that has two elements: an optical sensor and a meter. It is designed to detect the vibration of a belt using an infrared invisible beam and a light that allows you to aim it. When it comes to getting the most life out of your belts and maximizing the operational efficiency of your business , we do not recommend that anyone rely on anything less than the precision tensioning tools mentioned above in methods 2 and 3.

The IRPG team at IBT Industrial Solutions fabricates and services conveyor belts every day—offering both heavyweight and lightweight options—for all types of industries. We have the inventory and expertise to service all your belting and hose needs. Email customerservice ibtinc. Articles Find A Location. The serpentine belt is one long, snaking, winding belt that keeps your alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning and—in some cases—your water pump running smoothly and effectively.

How do you know if your alternator is messed up? Six Alternator Warning Signs: Dim lights. The alternator is part of the electrical system of your vehicle. Warning light. Most modern cars have a dashboard warning light that alerts you when the alternator is on the fritz. Weak or dead battery. Weird smells. Odd sounds. Visual cues. How do you know if your belt is loose? A loose drive belt will often be noisy, squeaking a bit, or emitting a high-pitched squeal. The most obvious sign of a loose drive belt, though, is in its appearance and tension.

A loose belt, simply stated, looks and feels loose. What are the signs of a bad alternator belt? When the lights of your car flicker or blink unexpectedly and without reason, there's a probable electrical issue. Weird Noises from the Hood. Overheated Engine. Burning Smell. Warning Lights. Stalling Engine. No Ignition at All. Defective Power Steering. Can a loose belt cause alternator not to charge? A: Not necessarily. Listen for belt squealing.

A loose serpentine belt will often produce an audible squeal in the engine bay. This is often the first sign of a loosening serpentine belt and may mean the belt is either too loose or is overly worn. However, a squealing belt may also be a sign that one of the accessories it drives is beginning to fail.

Take note if your air conditioner or power steering begin to fail. Because the air conditioner and power steering in your vehicle are both powered by the serpentine belt, a loose belt may result in both or either failing to work or behaving oddly. A loose belt may even cause both to work intermittently. Be sure to check the power steering fluid if you begin to have issues with your power steering. Ensure you put the new belt on with the correct tension, otherwise more accessories may fail.

Method 2. Turn the vehicle off and remove the keys from the ignition. While you may want to inspect the belt with the motor running to identify the source of a squeal, you will need to turn it off in order to closely inspect the belt.

Do not get close to the belt until the engine is safely off. You may also want to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Serpentine belts move at high rates of speed and can catch any loose fitting clothing or jewelry if you get close while the engine is running.

In many applications, the serpentine belt needs only to be reasonably tight. Because of this, a belt tension gauge is not necessary for most vehicles. Instead, use a ruler to measure the distance between the two furthest pulleys and find the midway point. Pinch that point between your index finger and thumb and move it back and forth.

If there is less than a half an inch, the belt will need to be loosened, if there is more, it will need to be tightened. Check for cracks on the inside of the belt. While all serpentine belts are prone to cracking as they wear and age, a loosely fitting belt will wear more quickly on the interior of the belt, and will often show cracks before they show on the outside, or back, of the belt as is common with age.

If the belt is cracked, it will need to be replaced. Look for polished edges on the belt. The serpentine belt should not be able to wander from side to side while in operation, but if its loose, it may do so, rubbing up against the lip of pulleys and creating a shiny or polished edge to the belt.

If the belt is showing sign of wear like polished edges, it likely will need to be replaced. A frayed belt edge, however, means the belt is misaligned. Check the belt grooves for glazing. If the serpentine belt is loose, the belt grooves may begin to melt and glaze over.