Serpentine belts

[rotorwrench]

I look at it this way. A 5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine would propel a go cart at a pretty good clip and a 4 HP wouldn't be far behind. My guess is that there is one too many zeros in that percentage. It's likely closer to 1%.

An electric fan with 3' blade span only needs about 1/2 HP to pull it with a belt and all.

[Jim Brierley]

Thanks Dennis!

[dave in australia]

Originally Posted by Bruce of MN

Phil Irving https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Irving said that BHP stood for Brochure Horse Power.

Phil was one of Australia's greatest engineers.

[CWPASADENA]

Serpentine belts are fine if the pulleys are in exact alignment. If not, they have a bad habit of shredding themselves and leaving you on the side of the road.


I think the original idea of the serpentine belt was to be able to drive the small pulley of the alternator without having to run the V belt so tight as to overload the water pump bearings.


The very small power consumption you may save is negligible and in my opinion is not worth the cost, effort and potential problems.


Again, this is just my opinion.


Chris W.