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  #1  
Old 06-24-2016, 08:03 PM
Canadian_JOY Canadian_JOY is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,291
Default Source for a Replacement Alternator Belt?

At 10 years of age I'm thinking our alternator belt might be ready for replacement as preventative maintenance. After looking the Lycoming part listed in the Aircraft Spruce catalog I have to believe there is a source of belts that are at least as good as those and perhaps not quite as "gold plated" in the price department.

Our current belt is a Gates product. Are most folks going to their local automotive parts supplier for replacement belts? I've also looked at the segmented belt however I'm not sure I've heard very many positive reviews of their use over the long term in an aircraft alternator application.

Thanks in advance for sharing suggestions based on your operational experience.
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  #2  
Old 06-24-2016, 08:13 PM
Ralph Inkster Ralph Inkster is offline
 
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Location: Calgary, Alberta
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Take the numbers off your old Gates belt (or the whole belt itself) to any auto parts store & they can match it up. No different from a common car V-belt.
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  #3  
Old 06-24-2016, 08:14 PM
rv7charlie rv7charlie is offline
 
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Location: Pocahontas MS
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There's an aircraft version of single V alternator belts??



;-)
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  #4  
Old 06-24-2016, 08:43 PM
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RV6_flyer RV6_flyer is offline
 
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Location: NC25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian_JOY View Post
At 10 years of age I'm thinking our alternator belt might be ready for replacement as preventative maintenance. After looking the Lycoming part listed in the Aircraft Spruce catalog I have to believe there is a source of belts that are at least as good as those and perhaps not quite as "gold plated" in the price department.

Our current belt is a Gates product. Are most folks going to their local automotive parts supplier for replacement belts? I've also looked at the segmented belt however I'm not sure I've heard very many positive reviews of their use over the long term in an aircraft alternator application.

Thanks in advance for sharing suggestions based on your operational experience.

I use a Gates Automotive belt that I purchased from Amazon. The Gates Automotive belts are listed as NOT For Use On Aircraft but mine is working fine. (2nd Gates belt in 19-years) Typically I do not replace the belt till the prop is off then install a new one.

I prefer the Gates belt as I believe they are the highest quality available. Local auto parts did not have Gates belts but could have furnished a belt from another manufacturer.
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  #5  
Old 06-24-2016, 09:34 PM
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Mike S Mike S is offline
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Just got a new alternator belt today from the local NAPA.
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  #6  
Old 06-24-2016, 09:56 PM
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Xkuzme1 Xkuzme1 is offline
 
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Location: KC, MO
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If you have one belt that is good, but just makes you nervous, you can keep them both on. I've never tired it with the RV. A lot of guys I know keep two on. You band one out of the way. If one breaks, you don't have to pull the prop to mount the other one. Very handle of it breaks while traveling.
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  #7  
Old 06-25-2016, 03:15 AM
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plehrke plehrke is offline
 
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Location: Defiance, MO
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I have been happy with the Dayco Top Cog V-belts. Available at local auto parts store and high performance racing shops.
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  #8  
Old 06-25-2016, 04:52 AM
Canadian_JOY Canadian_JOY is offline
 
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for confirming the local auto parts store as a good source of supply for these belts. Much appreciated!

I've seen the second belt installed on a couple of airplanes. No way do I want to take the constant speed prop off to have to change a belt. The only reason I'm looking at changing ours now is because the prop is off for other reasons and I thought I should take advantage of this opportunity. Believe it or not, the lack of an alternator drive belt is one of the reasons why I really like Continental engines...
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  #9  
Old 06-25-2016, 06:28 AM
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Lycosaurus Lycosaurus is offline
 
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Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 650
Default Dayco belt available in Stittsville

Hey Mark,

I just replaced my PP alternator belt a couple of months ago as a precautionary measure after 700 hrs / 7 years. I obtained mine from Prime Choice Autoparts in Stittsville. Gave them a call and they ordered it since they don't have stock, but got it in a day. I asked for a Gates or Dayco, and they were able to get Dayco.

I too thought of a spare belt, however I would rather replace the belt at regular intervals and not have the spare belt sitting in a hot engine environment baking away. Then again I have a fixed pitch prop.
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  #10  
Old 06-25-2016, 06:38 AM
BillL BillL is offline
 
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Location: Central IL
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When I worked at Conti - the engineers said that the belts are exactly the same. They are tracked differently for traceability.

I got a dayco "cog belt" with my PP alternator.
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