Engine Drive Belt Tensioner

[britinusa]

It bugged me that it was so difficult to get the tension on the drive belt tight.

I had read that it should allow a 1/2" deflection of the drive belt, but getting that with a long lever between the engine and the alternator was nearly impossible.

So I made a tensioner.

http://www.sailingeximius.com/2018/02/tensioning-engine-drive-belt.html

Paul

[KWKloeber]

Sorta like these, you mean?

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3667.msg47125.html#msg47125
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/35438209?rItem=35438209

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3667.msg27002.html#msg27002

k

[KWKloeber]

Kurt's much more elegant belt tensioner/bracket:

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,9212.msg69637.html#msg69637

k

[britinusa]

Yep, seen and followed those.

Mine is easy to produce, low tech, and does not compromise the existing tension system.

KISS - but the others lead me to the concept.

:)

Paul

[Dave Spencer]

Also in the spirit of low tech solutions, I cobbled together this modest tensioning tool this week.  I used a 1/4" Stainless Steel Stanley Turnbuckle that I picked up cheap at Princess Auto and a couple of 1/2" thick plastic pieces that I had cut off from a cutting board I made for over the sink.  I cut a groove in the plastic to allow the eye of the turnbuckle to be centred on the pulley.  It's important to minimize the protrusion of the bolt that holds the plastic onto the alternator end of the turnbuckle to prevent it from fouling on the alternator fan blades.  The thickness of the 1/4" bolt head was fine but the nut side would interfere with the fan blades. 
This is not a finely crafted tool but it does the job and is small and light enough to stow with spare belts so it's always available.  I love Kurt's built in tensioner that Ken referenced above but that's way beyond what I can do with the tools and skills that I possess.

[britinusa]

Nicely done Dave.

Another cat skinned 

[kh3412]

Time to start marketing