Alternator Belt Tensioner FLIX

[Stu Jackson]

Here's an older discussion about this very subject from 2001 !!!

Topic:  Alternator Voltage Regulator   http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,255.0.html

Some things remain the same after 8 or 9 years.  Good stuff bears repeating

The "Small Engine Mode" uses the alternator temperature sensor pins on the regulator jumpered.  See: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4454.msg27149.html#msg27149  which also has a link to a picture of the 50%/100% toggle switch we installed.

[Roland Gendreau]

I purchased the tool mentioned above and it works great.

]www.mscdirect.com part #35438209 (Belt tension jack)]

Roland Gendreau
Gratitude #1183

[Ron Hill]

Guys, Susan and D.Gill : Most of us know about the belt tensioning tool from the numerous posts, but most people do not really check the belt tension properly. 
I doubt that anyone measures the 3/8" to 1/2" deflection.  Most eye ball it at best.  Too tight a belt will raise hell with the water pump bearings and too loose a belt will allow the belt to slip.

I've written this up before, but it's worth repeating:
Go to the longest length of drive belt.  Place the belt between the thumb and forfinger and twist it.  If you can twist it 90, but no more than 180 degrees - the belt tension is OK.  I got this from the Old Farmers Almanac and have used it for over 21 years on my C34. 
Remember if you have a deep "V" pulley on your other than OEM alternator, you'll have to check tension more often as the belt will wear and sink deeper into that "V".

The temperature of the case surely changes its charging ability.  Maybe that's why Balmar mounted half of the diodes of my alternator on a heat sync !!   

A few thoughts 

[Stu Jackson]

From Capt. Sam on the C36 Board:

you probably have figured this out by now, but JC Whitney no longer sells this item. You can get one at MSC Industrial Supply www1.mscdirect.com I ordered one yesterday afternoon and it arrived this morning! How do they do that?
$18 plus about $10 shipping.
__________________
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
St. Marks, Florida

A link from 2018:  https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tnpla/35438209?cid=ppc-google-New+-+Motion+Control+%26+Fluid+Power+-+PLA_sKuRyZqHn

[Ron Hill]

Guys : Harbor Freight had them at one time.  
Also look at any full stocked auto supply store.  Maybe even check "snap-on tools".   A few thoughts

[Stu Jackson]

From the C36 Forum:

Alternator Belt Tensioner FOUND !
Thanks to the several guys who offered suggestions.
BUT Special Thanks to Capt. Sam who actually found it!

It is no longer being manufactured/carried by Northern Freight or JCWhitney.

It IS in the on line catalog of MSC Industrial Supply.

www.mscdirect.com
search for item # 35438209
$18 for the part
$13 more for shipping and tax.

A MUST HAVE in your on-board tool box.. You never know when the alternator belt is going to break, ... or just needs routine replacement. THIS IS the tool that tensions the belt....keeps it tensioned....while you tighten up your alternator and bracket!!

Thanks again Capt. Sam

Brian Giersch
"Encore"
#1245

Thanks, Brian.


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Also from the C36 Forum"

Not to discourage anyone one from spending money on man toys but I have a big screwdriver that doubles as a pry bar. I just stick that behind the alt casing and against the block at the tip and pry up then with a ratchet in my left hand I tighten the bottom bolt then the top one. I have a cricket to check belt tension and I can get it past spec with that method. The cricket is more valuable to me than a tensioner.
__________________
Bud & Suzanne Street
Delaroux #1494
1995 C-36 MkII SR/WK M35A
Eastern Lake Ontario

_________________________

What's a cricket?  

Bud most likely has an M35, which makes Ken Juul's point very important:  "What engine do you have?"

For an M25 or M25 XP, they're pretty handy things.   For M35s, maybe not necessary.  Any "
in between engine owners out there?

[Ron Volk]

Stu,

The web site and part number for the tensioner is not new to this topic, I referenced it on page 1 of this post in Feb. of 2009.