Re: Length of Alternator Belt.....???

[ChuckKuecker <ckuecker@mcs.net>]

At 19:58 12/5/97 -0800, you wrote:
>
> A couple of months back my alternator belt broke and I replaced it
>with one that seems a few or couple of inches longer than the original or
>even the one that was called for (when the Auto parts guy looked it up)
>and I'm wondering if that would affect the way my battery is being charged
>'cause my Dash lights are looking pretty dim at night even after changing
>the bulbs and the alternator belt is the only thing I can put my finger 
>on at the moment....
>  I recently put a new rebuilt alternator on after getting it tested to make
>sure that it was working correctly.....so that's not the problem.
>
> any ideas on whether the length of the belt would have any bearing on the
>charging system ????
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The LENGTH of the belt should have no bearing on performance - if the
TENSION is correct. A loose belt won't charge properly, and will probably
squeal or otherwise make itself known as a problem. Too tight will charge
OK, but puts a horrible load on the alternator and other accessory bearings,
resulting in shorter life...

Chuck Kuecker

ckuecker@mcs.net

'83 Scirocco (Katy's car now)
'58 Ghia Convert
'75 Bug
'67 Bug
'63 Bug (*still* for sale)
'91 Vanagon


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