SBS and Betamarine

[roger]

I was on the Betamarine stand yesterday making enquiries about my engine. No problems actually but a bit of unnecessesary worry.
There been some posts here on Beta pump belt life. Back at Beta there have been some developments
1. They've done a survey of all reported incidents and concluded that where there have been possibly problems the cause has probably been a very hot unventilated engine compartment. Certainly mine is small and not well ventilated but I've had no problems.
The guy on the stand mentioned special high temperature belts. I think the word mentioned was bando.
The alternative is to fit a poly vee belt. The 20 and 26 hp Betas now have these for the large alternator options and they will provide retrofit kits on request. The crank and pump pulleys would be a doddle to fit but I'm less sure about the alternator ones. When I've tried to dismantle alternators in the past the pully nut has been very difficult to undo.


<hr width=100% size=1>Roger

 

[dulcibella]

I've had no belt problems on my 35hp Beta (or indeed problems of any other sort), even though I have an Adverc charging regulator that must increase the belt loads. Maybe temperature is the answer.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[roger]

I think you are absolutely right about smart regulators increasing belt load. I have a Stirling one - no problems either. I havent measured my engine compartment temperature but the companionway teak step above the engine (and thick sound deadening foam) does get to blood heat or a bit more. I just dont know how hot other peoples compartments get. A cheap digital thermometer from Maplin would provide the answer and I'll check it when I next use my boat next June.

<hr width=100% size=1>Roger