If your air compressor is running noisily or if it is vibrating a lot, its belt may need to be tightened. Keep in mind, even a loose belt on an air compressor has a lot of tension, and that makes it hard to move the motor. Finally, when the belt has been tightened, replace the belt guard, and begin to use the air compressor as usual.
“i always just put the belt on and move the pump as far as i can by hand and mark the position. remove the belt and move it another 1/4-1/2” and tighten down. Put the belt on the drive pulley then put the belt on the driven pulley, usually it will only fit about 1/4 to 1/2 the way on the driven pulley. Turn the driven pulley by hand and walk the belt on.
If belts are too tight, additional load will be placed on the motor and motor bearings. Tighten two outside motor mounting bolts enough to hold the motor in place for checking pulley and flywheel alignment. The difference between measurements should be no more than 1/16″. If the difference is greater than 1/16″ loosen the set screw or hub bolts holding the motor drive pulley to the shaft.
When you have a proper tensioner with a typical thin mutigroove belt you get more belt raparound on your small pulley plus the belt does not need much tension because when the compressor starts and the belt stretches the tentioner takes up the slack. I replaced a belt in1995 in 30 seconds with no tools. My old Puma V-twin is running over 25 years now on the same belt and its set up conventionally and it’s flopping around on the non-load side continuously…. Therefor, I would go for whatever is the most easiest and economical fix …..
Using too short of a span could yield false tension readings that may be much higher than the actual belt tension, due to effects of belt stiffness. If the top surface of the belt is not easily reachable, beaming the sensor against the edge of the belt functions equally as well… Tap the belt, using the handle of a small tool or something similar, to make it vibrate for a reading. Banded belts are to be treated as a single unit with the belt mass constant calculated as a multiple of the single belt value.
how to tension air compressor belt Related Question:
How tight should air compressor belt be?
The belt should move no more than 1/4 in. to 3/8 in. downward if normal thumb pressure is placed on it. Ideal tension can very slightly, consult owner’s manual for recommended tension by unit. Adjust the motor’s distance from the pump by slightly adjusting motor position to pump.
How do you properly tension a belt?
Whack the belt with a karate chop, and if it feels firm, the drive is properly tensioned.” “Press the belt with your thumb until it deflects about 1/2 in.” “Tension the drive until you get a slight bow in the slack side when it is running.”
Can you adjust the belt tension?
Locate the adjuster bolt on the belt tensioner used to secure the serpentine belt, and adjust the tension by loosening or tightening the adjuster bolt with a racthet and socket while you simultaneously move the belt back and forth gently to find the proper tension.
What is belt tension?
Measuring Belt Tension by Deflection. Measuring belt tension by deflection evaluates the force needed to achieve a given belt deflection. The recommended force can be referenced in the table at the end of the article.
How tight should a motor belt be?
For most vehicles, the belt should not be able to be pressed down more than ½ inch. If it can be pressed lower, then the belt is too loose. Note: Manufacturers have their own specifications for how much deflection can be found in the belt.
How tight should tensioner pulley be?
When twisted either way from the middle, the tension in the belt must not be more than 12 inch. The belt is too tight if it is twisted more. The positions do not work for the vehicle.
How do you fix a loose tensioner 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.
Is a belt tensioner supposed to move?
The tensioner arm should move smoothly and freely. Solution: If you notice a binding, sticking or grinding tensioner arm, the tensioner should be replaced.
Should belt tensioner wobble at idle?
A wobbling belt tensioner can result from many different causes. In general, belt tensioners tend to get noisy when they fail. If your belt tensioner is chirping or makes other noises, it is often an indication that the part is old and needs to be replaced.
What causes belt misalignment?
This can be due to idler drag, low installation tension, belt wear, degradation of the tensioner spring, a belt that’s too long, seized bearings, or contaminants of the same type that cause chirping. Additionally, if the belt is wet from getting splashed, it could lose traction. This is often a tensioning problem.
