fury9
Well-known member
What type of v-belt should I use on my air compressor? The smooth one or the one with the the notches in it? Which one is better? I have no clue.
V- belt question
- Thread starter fury9
- Start date
I've used the linked belts with great success on HVAC equipment. Haven't tried them on air compressors. But a belt is a belt, right?
I find them great for those sticky jobs where you need an in-between size, or you're out in the middle of nowhere and don't have the exact size required. You can shorten or lengthen these as needed. really cool.
http://www.fennerdrives.com/powertwist-plus/
I find them great for those sticky jobs where you need an in-between size, or you're out in the middle of nowhere and don't have the exact size required. You can shorten or lengthen these as needed. really cool.
http://www.fennerdrives.com/powertwist-plus/
I maintain v belts on greenhouse fans. A tech. at Browning told me that the big advantage of the notched V belt is that it works better on smaller sheaves (pulleys) such as the 3"+/- ones on my greenhouse fan motors. He said that they would flex better around the smaller pulley, slip less, and thus transfer more horsepower.
Seems like a good idea on an air compressor that probably has a bit of resistance to overcome as it kicks in. Just my opinion.
https://ecenter.ee.doe.gov/EM/tools/Pages/NotchedVBelt.aspx
Seems like a good idea on an air compressor that probably has a bit of resistance to overcome as it kicks in. Just my opinion.
https://ecenter.ee.doe.gov/EM/tools/Pages/NotchedVBelt.aspx
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Steroblan
Well-known member
The notched belts slip less and also disipate heat better. The notches create an air current inside a belt guardwhich helps a little to cool too. Treeman is right, the notched belts do work better on smaller sheaves because they will flex around the sheave easier and not resist the bend as much.
stonesfan68
Well-known member
^^^ This helps to explain why timing belts are notched. I suppose that notched belts are a lot less likely to slip as well.
kevin47
Well-known member
I hadn't heard of this before...And I have a lathe that's slipping, guess its worth a try...At about $50 bucks...For two belts...lol
honEXduner
Well-known member
For automotive applications:
Correct, toothed belts mainly because there is little tolerance to slip in that application. The pulleys need to be "timed" together precisely or bad things could happen (interference engine). The small pulley size is due to the necessary speed difference between crank and cam shaft speeds within a given space.
I doubt the notches have much of a cooling effect within the mainly sealed housings found on most modern engines.
Just my $.02
Yes, they are more expensive than a standard V-belt of the same size. But I carry one on the truck for those "special" situations.
pacmktg
Well-known member
Ok, I have sold V-belts for 30 years for 3 different manufacturers. As someone said, the cogged or notched belts are made to go around smaller pulleys. Because of the way they are made they have what is called a raw edge. This means that they have a higher amount of friction and will transfer more horsepower. This also means that they run hotter not cooler. They will also wear out the sheaves faster. Yes, rubber will wear down steel.
Because of the higher friction value they don't slip as easy and this is why many mechanics use them to stop squeaks. Squeaks equal slipping and this means one of 2 things. The belt is not tight enough or the sheaves are worn or both.
Bon
Because of the higher friction value they don't slip as easy and this is why many mechanics use them to stop squeaks. Squeaks equal slipping and this means one of 2 things. The belt is not tight enough or the sheaves are worn or both.
Bon
Those linked belts have much lower tolerances for for both torque and RPM as compared to a solid or notched belt of the same size. Generally they'll have a maximum horsepower and RPM rating, so if you're going from a regular belt to the linked make sure you stay within those limits. They are super useful when you can use them, though.
I am surprised that no one has asked... What compressor (HP, RPM, #of belts and pulley diameters) are you putting this on?
Depending on the compressor I would or would not use a notched v belt for a compressor.
As someone else said, notched v belts and cogged belts (such as timing belts) are 2 completely different things.
Depending on the compressor I would or would not use a notched v belt for a compressor.
As someone else said, notched v belts and cogged belts (such as timing belts) are 2 completely different things.
Opinions are like.... The application dictates the belt more than anything. Just get the standard power transmission belts. These are the fabric wrapped belts often seen on lower decks of lawn equipment, etc. They are better able to handle start-up torque loads than conventional belts. A compressor isn't a continuous duty application so wear and heat, such as in automobile engines and ventilation fans, aren't serious issues.
redline380
Well-known member
how about just throw a fricken belt on the damn thing and go to work? if it breaks, get a different one.