Too many grooves in my pulley?
Too many grooves in my pulley?
(OP)
Because of a belt slippage problem, I am thinking of ordering new 4-belt pulleys for one of my motor/pump combinations. Current configuration is a 2-belt (5VX type) 12 inch pulley for the 50 HP 1800 rpm motor, and a 18 inch pulley for the pump. During the last maintenance shutdown I simply changed belts and slippage was gone for the moment, but I fear that it could eventually return and cause problems again. Therefore, should I consider changing to 4-belt pulleys just to be on the safe side, or could the extra weight pose a problem for the motor? We are already close to the motor's amp limit.
According to my belt/pullet selction guide, 2 belts are enough, but I would like to be on the safe side without compromising motor performance.
Thanks for your comments...
According to my belt/pullet selction guide, 2 belts are enough, but I would like to be on the safe side without compromising motor performance.
Thanks for your comments...





RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
Do you retension your belts after initial run-in?
Are your pulley grooves worn?
Have you tried a banded belt?
Why go from 2 grooves to 4? Why not 3 grooves?
Lots of possabilities.
Russell Giuliano
RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
Erik
RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
I while ago I came upon a certain motor manufacturer´s manual and it recommended 4 5VX belts for a 50 HP motor in general, that´s why I ordered the 4-belt pulleys, but then I came upon a more complete guide to belt and pulley sizing from TB Woods (Narrow Ultra-V Drives, section B1) and there it states that 2 belts per pulley (the original configuration) should be enough when all the variables come into play (pulley diameters, speed, etc..).
Therefore, I simply want to be aware of any ill-effects of using too many belts (in this case perhaps 2 extra belts) in my application or other typical applications. Thanks again.
RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
1. The motor pulley diameter must not be smaller than that recommended by the motor manufacturer, or else you risk overloading the motor bearings.
2. Belts for multiple V-belt drives must be installed as "matched sets", unless the belt manufacturer assures you that all their belts are length toleranced so that they are "matched". Some V-belt manufacturing techniques produce lengths that have relatively large variation and are post-production measured and graded into smaller tolerance bands. This is not a problem as long as sets are installed with the same length grade number.
Regards,
ERT
http://www.akeng.com
RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
When establishing a test force and resulting deflection for accurate belt tensioning the power and belt span must be entered into the formula. Really Long belt spans don't look tight, even when tensioned to murderous levels.
RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
if you are insistant about using the extra
belt when you are already drawing the max
amperage from the motor?
RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
Installing the pulleys/sheaves with minimum overhang off the motor shaft (close to the motor housing) can significantly reduce bearing loading.
RE: Too many grooves in my pulley?
james