Reduced life of V-belts operating in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning sector, is a major concern, despite users implementing rigorous system inspection programmes, says industrial equipment manufacturer BMG.

The company’s specialists recommend replacing conventional rubber V-belts used on air handling units with Fenner high performance composite (HPC) V-belts, is a solution that offers many benefits, including higher drive efficiency, greater comfort, reduced downtime and extended service life.

“BMG’s Fenner HPC V-belts have been proven to maintain 100% of their belt life at 80 °C, [compared] with only 25% belt life from a rubber belt at the same temperature,” explains BMG internal operations and power transmission division manager Leon Alberts.

“As the internal operating temperature of a rubber V-belt surpasses 30 °C, adhesion between the rubber and reinforcing cords begins to break down, delamination and flex fatigue occurs and the rubber compound deteriorates and cracks, causing premature belt failure,” he adds.

Alberts notes that the Fenner HPC V-belts range includes product variations, namely, the PowerTwist Plus V-belts for classical section drives and PowerTwist Wedge and SuperTLink V-belts for applications using metric wedge SP-rated belts – which are composite V-belts that deliver “exceptional” performance.

“This range is manufactured from custom reinforced polyurethane (PU) elastomers, with multiple plies of polyester fabric, that offer excellent resistance to high operating temperatures. The effective link design results in belt constructions that limit flex induced heat build-up and ensures a greater surface area that dissipates any heat generated more effectively, compared [with] a solid construction rubber V-belt,” he notes.

He adds that HPC V-belts also boast reduced installation time, compared with rubber V-belts.

“It is easy for users to make an HPC V-belt to the required size by hand and roll it onto an air-handling unit drive, just like a bicycle chain, with no tools required,” explains Alberts.

The PowerTwist Plus and PowerTwist Wedge drive belts, which do not require re-tensioning after the initial run-in, combine extremely high strength with low stretch and have the same power ratings as conventional V- and Wedge belts. The elasticity of woven PU fabric enables these belts to be stretched over a pulley drive without any damage. This series is designed for reduced drive vibration, resulting in improved bearing life.

Fenner PowerTwist Plus and PowerTwist Wedge belts easily match the required length and there is no need to move or dismantle any drive components. It is also easy for users to maintain appropriate inventory levels at all times.

Other Fenner products available from BMG include synchronous transmission belts, pulleys and accessories, as well as shaft fixings, chain drives and couplings. BMG also supplies Fenner shaft mounted speed reducers.