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Old 10-20-2015, 10:09 AM   #1
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Belt guards!!

Belt guards pretty much piss me off...especially Cummins. They are solid and you can see absolutely nothing of what is going on behind them! The Cats, 3208 anyways, are not as bad as you can see through the slats.

What is the solution??? Do I take them off and risk damage(generator fuel lines are in the load path of the port belt) to certain things?? Do I leave them on and remain ignorantly blissful about what is going on behind them?? Is there a compromise???....a modification to the guard that would allow inspection without removal???
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Old 10-20-2015, 11:00 AM   #2
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Greetings,
Mr. B. Leave them on and modify. Cut openings in strategic locations and cover the openings with either metal grate or a Lexan window. My $.02.
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Old 10-20-2015, 11:21 AM   #3
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Greetings,
Mr. B. Leave them on and modify. Cut openings in strategic locations and cover the openings with either metal grate or a Lexan window. My $.02.


I agree with RTF with one caveat....the Lexan cover will foul with black rubber particles and obscure the view eventually. I would have expanded metal grates as suggested.
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Old 10-20-2015, 11:29 AM   #4
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You could have a welding shop reproduce the guards in expanded steel, maybe even stainless if you want to add a little bling! Probably pretty reasonable if you don't take it to a yacht yard shop. Bill
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Old 10-20-2015, 11:29 AM   #5
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When I repowered years ago with a Cummins, the belt guard never saw the boat.
In my boat there was no advantage to leaving it on.
I have somewhere a picture of one that was modded with a lexan panel. I'll try to locate that file.
The lexan can be easily removed and cleaned when it gets yucked up.
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Old 10-20-2015, 11:36 AM   #6
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I normally shit can them unless absolutely necessary for a safety reason.

If you feel better with them on just change your belts every year or two while watching for excessive belt dust.
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Old 10-20-2015, 11:55 AM   #7
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Use expanded metal if you keep the guards and paint them black so you can more easily see through the mesh.

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Old 10-20-2015, 12:18 PM   #8
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Use expanded metal if you keep the guards and paint them black so you can more easily see through the mesh.

Kevin
"Expanded metal"???
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Old 10-20-2015, 12:23 PM   #9
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"Expanded metal"???

Metal mesh
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Old 10-20-2015, 12:52 PM   #10
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Ok thanks!!!
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Old 10-20-2015, 01:02 PM   #11
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Lexan panel
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Old 10-20-2015, 01:22 PM   #12
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Here's my fix. I really need the guard as to get in ER I hop down right in front of the engine. Expanded metal and tig welder.

If you don't have a chance to tangle with the belts, sh!tcan them.
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Old 10-20-2015, 01:31 PM   #13
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Ok thanks for the info. I do jump down right in front of my STBD engine but I am never down there with it running....and will just make sure it is not if I am down there.
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Old 10-20-2015, 01:44 PM   #14
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My boat doesn't have guards on the mains (it does on the generator). Might look at cobbling something together though as I do go into ER while engines are running to check for leaks etc. Would not be good to get a shirtsleeve or something into one of the pulleys.

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Old 10-20-2015, 04:50 PM   #15
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I really like how the lexan looks. I may try to see if I can engineer it with a quick release
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Old 10-20-2015, 05:03 PM   #16
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Safety is important - modify the guards, don't ditch them! Take the old one to a fab. shop for them to use as a template. Paint it black and refit. Usual story of risk (potential loss of fingers or worse) versus cost (beans, really...)
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Old 10-20-2015, 05:23 PM   #17
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Greetings,
Mr. B. "...I am never down there with it running....and will just make sure it is not if I am down there." Never say never. It only takes once for whatever reason that may be unfathomable now. Modify and leave them on please.
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Old 10-20-2015, 07:09 PM   #18
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Belt guards are for check-writers not DIYers. If I have to get down there underweigh, the last thing I want to do is waste time with belt-guards.
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Old 10-20-2015, 07:31 PM   #19
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Greetings,
"Belt guards are for check-writers not DIYers." THAT'S about the most stupid remark I've heard this month!

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Old 10-20-2015, 09:06 PM   #20
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Indeed. Removing guards might mean in future you`ll need a hand to do anything in the ER, or out of it.
There are substantial penalties in the workplace for operating machines without guards over moving parts. A factory floor is normally level and static, a boat ER is often anything but. If the engine mfr fitted guards, keep them in place.
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