Synchronous Belt versus V-Drive

Discussion in 'Inboards' started by makobuilders, Jul 30, 2011.

  1. dinoa
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: florida

    dinoa Senior Member


  2. BMcF
    Joined: Mar 2007
    Posts: 1,173
    Likes: 182, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 361
    Location: Maryland

    BMcF Senior Member

    We built a 43' demonstrator that was powerd by a single 450 HP Ford V8 turning two Berkely waterjets. The splitter transmissions consisted of a pair of synchronous Gates belts, each driven off a common center shaft to individual output shafts offset port and starboard. On the end of each driven shaft that was not the one connected to a jet unit we had a hydraulic pump, on the one side, and a cooling water pump on the other.

    Very compact, reliable and reasonably quiet setup all around; we were very happy with it. We did have to install, after initial trials, an axial blower to force air through the aluminum "box" that comprised the transmission housing that held/supported shafts and bearings; those belts will generate a surprising (to us anyway) amount of heat. The box was not made of all solid plate (1/2" aluminum btw) - it had pretty large vent holes machined in the top and bottom plates already so that we had access for checking/adjusting the belt alignment and tension.
     
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