Withywindle

No I think it’s genuine Beta. It matches all of the others. In fairness the belt only just touches probably at high speed , but over time it’s going to wear as the one the previous owner left me bears testimony. I’m confident I can fix the problem using a lower profile bolt now I know It’s not the belt sizing that’s the issue.

Indeed, I’m going to replace the bolt with a low profile version or perhaps just a standard hex. 🤔 Current clearance is about 5mm. Will post a pic tomorrow all being well. Beta have told me 214-02954 for my build.

Someone needs to design a fridge that runs on ‘ever decreasing circles’ you could wire it up to threads like this and it would keep going for weeks. 😂

With a heavy heart I just removed our ageing 12v fridge and replaced it with a 240v model. I did this because I couldn’t get a 12v model which would fit the rather odd sized fridge gap in the galley. I have been pleasantly surprised, having expected problems. The 12v fridge was worn out, I suspect it had lost most of its refrigerant and consequently the compressor was running far more than it needed to so it had clearly been putting a high drain on my batteries. They are in much better shape each morning than they ever were with the old 12v fridge. My beer is also much cooler. 👍 The best is that I sold the old 12v fridge on eBay as ‘parts or not working’ and got more for it than the new 240v fridge cost! The chap who bought it was a non boater who was intending to run it off a single solar panel in his garden shed and keep cold drinks in it. I tried to subtly point out some of the flaws in this rather hair brained idea but he was having none of it!

Just an update to conclude this. I received a reply from Beta Marine who confirm that the 6PK1300 is indeed correct. My engine build is an unusual one for Colecraft with the Travel Power Generator and consequently the part number for the belt is not widely listed. Thanks to everyone who responded. As ever your advice and comments where very useful.

That’s great thanks, although it now looks like my belt will be different to yours. The travel power is indeed a great bit of kit, not something I was looking for when we bought the boat, but it’s been a real bonus.

Well that’s true, you’re right of course and the belts I have do fit albeit they’re at the very maximum end of the adjustment. It’s just the way they run too close to that Allen bolt that is bugging me. I guess I just want to know the correct size, hopefully I’ll get a reply from Beta soon.

Quick update. After further digging just realised my belt is an unusual one as I have a Dometic Travel power unit installed. Part number is 214-04218. Oh joy! Still need to verify belt length but probably only Beta Themselves will be able to answer. Thanks for all of the help and sorry my original post was misleading.

Now that is interesting. Your belt is over 7cm shorter which reinforces my hunch that the belts in my service kit are wrongly sized. I don’t suppose you have your original operator maintenance manual? If the Beta part listed in it is either 214-0613 or 214-0614 then that would confirm we have the same engine and I’m running the wrong belt size. If you see what I mean. Update: See my latest post below - I’ve been quoting incorrect part numbers. So unless you also have a Travel Power unit our belts will be a different length. Thanks, it all looks to be in alignment. The previous owner a marine engineer had the belts running rather looser than I would have done, but they say better loose than over tight as that can prematurely wear the bearings. So I left them. I now think the belt may have jumped on the crankshaft pulley as a result which caused it to shred. You live and learn. I’ve fitted the new one somewhat tighter but I’m still concerned how close it runs to the adjustment bolt hence trying to establish the correct sizing. I’ve asked Beta for the correct belt length for my engine but haven’t had a reply yet. I suspect they may just say buy a Beta genuine belt for peace of mind. We’ll see.

I’m after some advice regarding the top mount 70amp top alternator belt fitted to Beta 38 engines. This is the one dedicated to the domestic battery bank. I bought my boat last year and the previous owner left several new spare belts for this alternator ranging in size from 6pk1295 to 6pk1305. The current belt a 6pk1300 failed yesterday. I’m pretty sure this was as a result of the belt wearing on the outside edge due to its perilously close proximity to the adjustment Allen bolt. If you have a Beta 38 you may well know what I mean by this. If the belt is on the loose side it can touch the adjustment bolt momentarily when the engine accelerates up, or at least it appears to on my engine. Anyway I’ve replaced the belt but I’m starting to wonder if the previous owner had bought the correct size spares. A used one he left has the same ‘tell tale’ wear line. Beta part number is 214-02614 but predictably they don’t state the actual belt length! Can anyone tell me the length of the genuine Beta belt so I can confirm I’m using the correct size? It should be printed on the outside edge. If I am indeed using the correct size belt, I’m considering replacing the current Allen bolt with a regular hex bolt which my measurements indicate will provide much better clearance. Again, has anyone thought about doing this?

To answer my own original question. I’ve now been down to Stourport and I’m heading back. The Bratch no longer sell pump out cards but the lock keeper there, an excellent volunteer called Shelley, told me all the volunteers are very keen to sell them and are putting pressure on CRT to make it happen. I later met my former CRT colleague who is also keen to get things going and as a first step is opening a shop at Stourport which will sell them and take contactless payments rather than cash. We discussed the ideas of adapting the machines and I think it will happen in time but in the meantime he’s doing all he can. Small steps, but sometimes, particularly with organisations like CRT this is better than no progress at all.

Funny enough the same thing nearly happened when I used the same machine at Wheaton Aston today but in my case it didn’t quite run for long enough and I had to use a card in the end! I pushed my luck a bit too far and gave the tank a good rinse, then suddenly the credit ran out. I sent my message using the ‘contact us’ form on the website. I got the usual acknowledgment screen, saying thank you for your enquiry and I would receive a reply within four working days, then nothing. I’m starting to wonder whether it’s being monitored.

Indeed, totally agree, but that would also need Lee Sanitation who make the ‘kit’ to improve their machines, probably a bridge too far right now.

I once worked as a seasonal lock keeper. My observation is that 99% of people are wonderful and 1% are plain unpleasant. You can’t pigeon hole boaters either, the bad ones inhabit all types of boating. You won’t change them. They exist in all walks of life too. If they weren’t stealing a lock from you, they’d be stabbing you in the back at work or stealing your sun bed while on holiday in the Med. It’s just the way they are, they usually end their days bitter and lonely.