Tension Question w.r.t Replacing Belt on Phoenix 429
Hi Group,
Remember my lovely Phoenix 429? I named him Ziggy. He is looking very handsome now; I gave him a nose job. Shall I post photos?
I purchased a new belt for him, and now that I have it, I just want to verify a few things. I posted about this before I bought the belt, but now things are actually -less- clear to me. Here is why:
I brought in the old belt, and OSMG sold me a new one just like it, except sizewise, it fits inside the old one! He said that the old one would have originally been this size, and had stretched over time. I believe him there, for the old one was indeed decades old, cracked, etc. The new one's outside diameter and circumference pretty much match exactly the old one's inside diameter and circumference!
(Yes, Joe, these are both the rubbery noodle type belts; he said he would have to see the machine in order to sell me the proper sized V-belt. Anyhow, at $3.49, it is all a learning experience for me! When I get smarter about belt size etc, I will certainly try the v-belts which you recommended as being superior.)
OSMG said to put the new belt on, and not to change the position of the motor to accomodate its smaller size. I am concerned about this, because there will be -such- a difference in snugness, and I realize that a too-snug belt can put extra strain on the motor shaft and wreck things.
I understand the concept of raising or lowering the motor so as to create "just enough grab so that the belt does not slip." However, I would think this criteria would be quite different depending upon whether I would test with sheer cotton or with leather.
Can anyone offer a more fool-proof way of my setting the motor height so as to bring the belt to a suitable tension? I think this must be something that the Experts get a feel for over time; the feel of the deflection of the belt when pressed lightly with fingers, for example. Is there anything definitive that any Expert can tell me about the deflection, such as, "On a properly set belt, When I suspend a 100 g bag of almonds from the belt, the belt deflects XX inch from its original line."
That is just an idea, but if there is a more straightforward way of explaining it to me, I would be so appreciative! I am fearful of doing something which may over time damage the motor.
Thank you in advance.
Last edited by Cecilia S.; 09-15-2013 at 04:36 AM.