Dewalt Air Compressor Belt Alignment/tension

[Tractor Seabee]

I have a model D55168 oil less compressor two years old. The belt broke on it. Watched a couple you tube repair videos. They make it look easy and that you can just force the belt on w/o loosening the tension cam. Tried several times to no effect. Loosened the adjustment and it is easy to get on and tension up. I spent an hour trying every tg I could think of the get the belt to run true on the pulleys bur it kept running off the edge. Looking closely at the broken belt it appears that is why it broke. The bearing block for the flywheel does not seem to have any play, obviously ball or roller bearings. Can find no info on the internet of the tension process or how tight it should be. I tried may adjustment points but it still kept running off the flywheel. Dewalt uses this belt and tension unit on many of their compressors.

I have replaced flat belts on a variety of things and never encountered such. I was skeptical on the you tube video showing not loosening the tension because have always had to.

Any of my TBN compatriots experienced such a thing? Help!

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

Ron, you should not have bought an oil less. Dewalt advertises them as Oil less and maintenance free. Obviously they are only half right. :laughing:

Sorry to make light of your predicament and don't have anything constructive to add other than a thread bump. Good luck.

 

[aczlan]

Can you post some pictures?

Aaron Z

 

[Fallon]

Ron, you should not have bought an oil less. Dewalt advertises them as Oil less and maintenance free. Obviously they are only half right. :laughing:

Sorry to make light of your predicament and don't have anything constructive to add other than a thread bump. Good luck.

Most or all if the belt drive compressors I've seen have been oiled compressors. The only Oilers ones have been direct drive. The small motor pulley & big pump pulley slow things down for more longevity & quieter operation. The oil free ones are noisy & run fast to get any volume.

 

[dragoneggs]

Most or all if the belt drive compressors I've seen have been oiled compressors. The only Oilers ones have been direct drive. The small motor pulley & big pump pulley slow things down for more longevity & quieter operation. The oil free ones are noisy & run fast to get any volume.

That's my experience as well.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

That's my experience as well.

I think I got it lined up finally. Played around with the tension cam and slowly tightened it up and turning by hand. Powered up and it ran straight for 5 minutes. Not as noisy as the little HF one I have. This one is 5cfm and 250 PSI tank pressure. The piston is 4" diameter. The plastic shroud is a real bugger back on. Now have to figure reassembly of the intake filter. This thing is not a good homeowner repair job and there is no parts diagram in the manual. I will probable trim some plastic to get at the filter. It does not extend outside the shroud. Taking that shroud off to clean the filter is a non-starter. Tomorrow-hopefully will see how it works under load.

Ron