Trojan Boat Forum

I made up this tool to adjust my alternator belts. I find it difficult to get the tension I want using a pry bar. Tried it tonight and it worked great. Thought maybe someone else may be interested.

Very cool! I'm going to make myself something similar. Tensioning the belt on the port engine on my 10 meter is nearly impossible alone. Thanks for sharing.

Nice ,

Got to love ingenuity!

Andy,

What are the end pieces made from that go onto each pulley? I would like to make one myself.

Thanks
Bob

BobCT wrote:Andy,

What are the end pieces made from that go onto each pulley? I would like to make one myself.

Thanks
Bob

Looks like 1/4", 3/8" or similar steel round stock. You can get everything at your local hardware store.
Good tip Andy.

Great looks as good as any you would buy.

Curious, what is the material each end is coated with?

Also Andy, if you could give us the material list and dimensions such as length of the turn buckle and threaded rod size. (3/8"x...?)
Thanks.

Thanks for the comments.

The pieces that go into the pulleys are just nails, 20D's I think with the ends cut off and bent.

The red is just paint so it will not rust in my toolbox.

Give me a couple of days and I will make another and post the steps and materials. I will do 2 different ends 1 for if you have a welder and I have another idea for those of you without access to a welder.

Took a break from prepping the boat tonight and put together a tutorial on how to make the belt adjuster. My total cost was $2.67 for the turnbuckle from Home depot. The nail and wood block I found in my pile. Feel free to ask any questions. I hope it helps.

Here is my version of the tool. Painted and then coated the ends with polyurethane spray. I'm hoping I can use it to tension the raw water pump belt as well. Might need to switch to a shorter threaded rod on one end to do that.

Thanks Andy!

The tool worked great last night. I was able to tension and tighten the belt alone (and with my dominant wrist broken and in a cast!) What do you guys use for tightening the raw water pump belt? I used my turnbuckle and a small rope around the other engine stringer mount to pull it over. Does anyone have any other suggestions on how to do that?

NICE!! Glad you took the idea and ran with it. On the raw water pumps I tighten them by hand. You really don't want them very tight.

Andy, can I share this among other forums and boating enthusiasts?

Jaime,
I do not mind if you share it. That was the intent of putting it together. I guess if someone markets it I will kick myself but oh well. Do me a favor and let me know where you post it. I am interested in peoples comments and what other ideas they may have.

Thanks for asking first.