Thanks for this info...Spent a couple weeks trying figure out a squealing
sound, turned out to be a loose belt.  My thumb method was a bit off, I'll
be getting one of these soon...here's a vid on how to use it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z11wfc-0-hY

Jim
Wilmington, NC

On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 10:53 AM, Steven P Smith <kewsps@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I use one of these.
> http://www.amazon.com/Krikit-V-Belt-Tension-Gauge-91107/dp/B000AOEJOE YMMV
>  > Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:13:39 -0700
> > From: camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM
> > Subject: V-Belt tightness -- how to determine?
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> > Something I've never understood about tightening the belt. Instructions
> > usually say something like:
> >
> > "Be careful not to get the belts too tight. You should have
> > slight (1/8" - 1/4") deflection in the belts after they are adjusted.
> > This of course depends on the length of the belt."
> >
> > <http://www.vanagonauts.com/printable.phtml?&catid=215>
> >
> > How much pressure do you put behind your thumb when testing? I can
> > deflect the belt anywhere from not much to a lot more by pressing harder!
> >
> > --
> > Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> > Bend, Ore.
> > 1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
> > 1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in
> > San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.
> >
> > Sent from my kitchen.
>