alternator belts

[eagle19952]

  This one does have a grease zert. How often do I need to grease tithes unit?

can't use just any grease.
https://cglapps.chevron.com/msdspds/PDSDetailPage.aspx?docDataId=419538

It is a multipurpose lubricant and is recommended for use in a variety of applications, including high temperature operations (302?F and higher), high speed operations (anti-friction bearings operating at 10,000 rpm and greater), and situations where water or salt water will likely get into the bearings.

[bevans6]

In the total trivia but interesting to some category, I just calculated that the 50DN on an MC-5 takes around 19 hp to run at full output, so that's almost 5 hp per belt.  That's a lot for a belt drive.  Alignment and tension is critical.

Edit:  In the really total trivia dept, I found a design HP per RPM chart for A size belts (typical 1/2" Vee belt like the ones on the alternator).  RPM is important, the higher the RPM the more power the belt is rated for.  At 800 Alternator rpm - really low idle - each belt is rated for 10 hp.  At 4000 rpm (2000 rpm engine speed) each belt is rated for 40 hp.  Neat, eh?  That's why they squeal when the alternator is turned on abruptly at idle speed after a cold start (building air pressure to turn on the alternator) and it wants to suddenly charge the start batteries that have been depleted by sitting for a while and then starting the engine.  That draws about full rated power (at that low rpm) for a few seconds.

Brian