Guy and Jim,
There's nothing at all wrong with V belt drives... or dial telephones , or electric typewriters, or TV 's with antennas or even ovens that cook using heat. Some just prefer other means of reaching the same goal. If the genset needs starting while I'm not here my wife couldn't crank a double V belt without the neighbors help. No friction drag with a serpentine belt.
Good luck
MC
oh puhleeeese
there's more friction in the mains than there is in a double vee belt setup, hey I should know, I actually run one as opposed to repeating FUD.
if there is no friction drag on a serpentine belt then it ain't connected.
Serpentine belts have three advantages over vee belts
1/ a given belt will take a tighter radius - doesn't apply to lister(oids)
2/ a given belt will take a reverse / negative radius over an idler - doesn't apply to lister(oids)
3/ a given belt will run quieter, there is some argument that in some circumstances it will wear less - doesn't apply to lister(oids)
V-belt drives are a common means of transmitting horsepower and reducing speed. They are a quiet, low-cost product, requiring little maintenance.
These drives transmit power through friction created by a wedging action of the belt in the sheave groove. V-belts work optimally with speed ratios of up to 6:1, but are available with drive ratios up to 10:1.
V-belts are applied in a variety of applications but work best in applications greater than 500 RPM. They offer a great benefit in that they will slip upon overload, thus protecting other, more expensive equipment from load surges.
In some applications, where service factors of 2.0 or higher are applied, a chokable situation can exist where the V-belt will not slip but instead will stall out the motor.
The service life of a properly designed V-drive is approximately 20,000 to 25,000 hrs. This life can be dramatically less if the drive is not installed or applied properly. V-belt drives are limited to a maximum misalignment of 1/2º, and standard belts are limited to operating
temperatures from -40ºF to 130ºF.
Published belt ratings are based on a temperature of 85ºF. For every 35ºF above the baseline temperature, the life will be cut in half. In addition to ambient temperatures, excessive slip (one cause of which is worn sheave grooves), tight bends, and poor ventilation can lead to increased belt operating temperatures.
Serpentine belts require alignment to within 1/4º