Belt Tension there is an app for that.

[billybovine]

I was looking at the sonic tension gauges on the internet when I thought that a smartphone app could do what these $700.00 gauges do. So I did a search for my Blackberry and no such luck, but I found there is one for Android and IPhone. It's called Tension2Go. So I was wondering if someone would give it a try and let us know how it works. It looks like the Android version is free.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I downloaded it on my Iphone but it seems that you have to have a Continental Belt to use the app

 

[billybovine]

I have a Gates 502C and an android tablet.
I'll see what I can do.

Thanks Roger, I'll be very interested in your results.

 

[Magdave]

I played with it and it works. Just gotta figure out which Conti belt is closest to the BRP. I tried CXP and CXA and am going to play some more tomorrow. It measures frequency and converts to Newtons from that based on the belt. Seems like it should be a good baseline checker like a Kricket. I got a 24 N reading on the test I did but it was far from accurate, like I said I will play more and see what I get.

 

[Magdave]

Using Conti-V Multirib Power as selected belt I am getting consistent 360N readings holding the mic ~5mm ( leaning bottom of phone against black cover) and flicking the belt halfway between sprockets with my finger. I am using 30mm width and 200mm span. It is very consistent 5 readings all the same. Changing db sensitivity makes no difference. I know my tension should be 1050N and am going in for my 600mi service next week and will have it checked. They do not have Varispeed as a selection that is a snowmobile belt and probably the closest to ours.

 

[Techno-Spyder]

In the Tech manual when using the sonic tester it says set the following specs:

MASS 8.4 g/m
WIDTH 28.0 mm
SPAN 1028 mm

It might be basis to give a better reading.

 

[Spyder4Tess]

Sounds like a college degree is needed just for a belt adjustment test!

 

[Magdave]

The App doesn't have a mass input (that I found anyway) and relies on the pick list of Conti belts.
I have the Gates sonic meter so later this afternoon I hope to experiment and get readings that match.

EDIT:
I just noticed the span is limited to 800 mm.
I won't go into the math of this for two reasons, it may be beyond you and I know it's beyond me.
Because of this restriction I doubt if it can or should be used with the Spyder.

The belt span is not 1028 mm(total length might be) it is roughly 310mm( I errored last night in my measurement). Span is the measurement from center to center of the sprockets. Regardless it still provides a free way to get a baseline. Try the settings I used above(200 span 30width) using the multi rib and tell me what you get. Mine should be a little more than double yours since 2013's tension is 1050N.

By the way I chose that belt because it allows both span and width to be entered. I tried 300 span and 28mm width and got 1728N consistently Freq 67. I am guessing if enter the right numbers I can get it to read 1050N so if I get a check at my 600mi service it will at least tell when the belt is getting loose from that point.

EDIT:
I am stupid yes the span is probably 1028 I guess my math skills are failing like my eyes. That being said is still somewhat irrelevant all this app is, is a frequency converter when you flick the belt it rings and the frequency is converted to N based on the span and width. Still could be as useful as a Kricket.

 

[CruiseRT]

The App doesn't have a mass input (that I found anyway) and relies on the pick list of Conti belts.
I have the Gates sonic meter so later this afternoon I hope to experiment and get readings that match.

EDIT:
I just noticed the span is limited to 800 mm.
I won't go into the math of this for two reasons, it may be beyond you and I know it's beyond me.
Because of this restriction I doubt if it can or should be used with the Spyder.

From the formula that Gates uses and the readings for Mass, Width and Span that BRP gives you can just take the frequency square and be very very close.
I will try this app and see what I get. T[SUB]Newtons[/SUB]= 4 x M x W x S[SUP]2[/SUP] x F[SUP]2[/SUP] x 1e10[SUP]-9[/SUP]

 

[Magdave]

From the formula that Gates uses and the readings for Mass, Width and Span that BRP gives you can just take the frequency square and be very very close.
I will try this app and see what I get. T[SUB]Newtons[/SUB]= 4 x M x W x S[SUP]2[/SUP] x F[SUP]2[/SUP] x 1e10[SUP]-9[/SUP]

Ouch you are making my head hurt :gaah:

 

[Techno-Spyder]

I'm sticking with my old trusted methods, kick the tires and twist the belt with my fingers, its done me proud for years.

 

[CruiseRT]

Ouch you are making my head hurt :gaah:

If you know the frequency then T[SUB]Newtons[/SUB]=0.9942223872 x f[SUP]2[/SUP] . then take a pill.

 

[Magdave]

If you know the frequency then T[SUB]Newtons[/SUB]=0.9942223872 x f[SUP]2[/SUP] . then take a pill.

OK now you did all the heavy lifting with the formula that makes it easier to use the app as a Freq detector :yes:

 

[CruiseRT]

OK now you did all the heavy lifting with the formula that makes it easier to use the app as a Freq detector :yes:

Thats what I was trying to do is just get a good frequncy reading, my tablet is a little big to get in close for good reading. But still working on it.

 

[OldCowboy]

If you know the frequency then T[SUB]Newtons[/SUB]=0.9942223872 x f[SUP]2[/SUP] .

Using this formula, the frequency from a properly tensioned 2013 belt should be between 30.1 and 34.8. Knowing this, virtually any app that will read frequency should be able to determine if the belt is "singing" with the correct frequency.

 

[Magdave]

I was using a Galaxy Nexus leaned it against the black plastic just to the rear of center of the belt with the mic ~5mm from the belt. All readings were consistent. Maybe the tablet mic was not close enough to the belt or sensitive enough. I know my phone has the clearest voice than any I ever had. That may be the difference.:thumbup: What I am getting is a consistent 23hz which should mean my belt is a little loose. Guess I will have it checked next week to see if it is accurate. 23hz= 526N ~

 

[CruiseRT]

I could never get a good reading with my tablet, but I can record it with my mp3 player and analyze it on my pc. not the fastest but it is accurate.

 

[finless]

Many of the "cheap" tablets have some of the WORST mic's on them!

How do I know?
Because I run this website:

www.freaktab.com

I could totally see how a Nexus could get good consistant results and a el cheapo Tablet would not.

Bob

 

[CruiseRT]

Many of the "cheap" tablets have some of the WORST mic's on them!

How do I know?
Because I run this website:

www.freaktab.com

I could totally see how a Nexus could get good consistant results and a el cheapo Tablet would not.

Bob

That's what have is a Nexus 10, Just hard to get in there. Also I found an app called DaTuner Lite on google play, its a guitar tuner but has the frequency readout that might do the trick.

 

[billybovine]

I am disappointed that the tension2go app did not work. Thanks to all who tried.

Installed the app DaTuner into my Blackberry and I did get some readings in the high 31 range. So that appears reasonable. It was not easy to do. I don't fully understand the app. It is for folks with musical training and I have none. So a lot of the setting possibilities are a mystery to me. I did have to get the garage quiet, doors closed and radio off. I have not given up on it yet. I think it will work if I figure out the app.
One interesting thing in the app description before I installed it. There was a one sentence that mentioned measuring the tension on a Ducati belt. In the app itself I found no reference to this at all.