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"Will-Fit" Belts Found To Be Inadequate For Thermo King Application
Thermo King customers must be cautioned against using 4L belts in Thermo King trailer unit alternator/water pump drive applications. While some belts may fit, in many cases they will be inadequate for the intended Thermo King application. For example, field investigations have revealed attempts to make us of 4L belts as a replacement alternative for the Thermo King belt recommended for trailer unit alternator/water pump drives. While a 4L belt will fit, most will not do the required work. Most 4L belts are made of a cord which is generally considered inadequate for heavy-duty applications. In fact, the "L" designation in 4L is used to indicate it is designed for "light duty" applications such as light duty automotive or lawn and garden equipment.
Insufficient Horsepower Rating
Thermo King alternator/water pump drives require about 3.5 hp at 3500 rpm to function properly and provide the necessary engine cooling and electrical supply over an extended period. A typical 4L belt is rated at only 1.7 hp at 3500 rpm, and is simply not designed to do the job. To achieve the required horsepower in the Thermo King application it must operate beyond its capability and will fail quickly.
Service Life Of Thermo King Belt Is More Than Double
In a belt life expectancy computer analysis, the recommended Thermo King belts proved to have more than two times the service life of 4L belts they were compared to.
Thermo King Belt Has Greater Than 30% More Contact Area
Part of the problem with 4L belts is their size. While they "will fit" in the 34° groove of the Thermo King alternator and water pump drive pulleys, they are actually much smaller (thinner). The thickness of the Thermo King belt provides greater then 30% more contact area, which is needed to adequately supply the required horsepower for the application.
Designed For Heavy-Duty Application
The Thermo King belt is a heavy-duty, industrial grade belt, constructed of a special compound that is oil and heat resistant. It employs a double wrap covering that resists cracking and protects against damaging elements, including chemicals, ozone, fuel, and oil. The Thermo King belt is constructed of a strong polyester material, typical of heavy-duty industrial grade belts.
CONCLUSION
While some "will fit" 4L belts may cost a little less on the front end, they are not designed for the Thermo King application. Using them puts the entire refrigeration system at risk. Attempting to make use of a 4L belt in the application cited here is a good example. Not only will a 4L belt need to be replaced sooner and more often, when it fails the water pump will stop functioning, causing the engine to overheat. And when that occurs, cooling capacity is lost, putting the entire cargo at risk.
For more information,
contact your local dealer.
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