Just looking for people's experience with the longevity of these belts. How long do they typically last? What causes them to fail? Do they need any unusual maint? How our they tensioned if at all?

The one thing I do know is they are very expensive to purchase from Unitec!

Abe,
CBS
On the fifth year and each yoear after the belts are to be tested with a magnetic flux leakage tool. If the show the belts are worn, they are to be replaced within six months. If they are bad, replace them immediately.

Pulse
A Pulse test is performed to measure the resistance of steal cables in the jacket during a learn run. When the resistance drop below the recommended level, it is time to replace the belts.

I would love to see the hard numbers on how costly and or cost effective theses belts truly are!

From my field experience, the first version of the GeN2 are starting to show signs of losing traction (about year 2000 and newer). But there is many outside factors that can damage the surface of the belts, UV light in glass shaft, oil on the belts and so...

I have a lot of experience with Gen 2 belts and as mentioned environmental factors play a large factor . There is now a cleaning product which can be used on belts ( i do all of mine annually) which helps keep them in good condition ,plus have all of mine on pulse units and inspect the coating regularly . The biggest issue i have found is if after installing the CSB's and running you need to make sure there are no foreign objects / builders debris etc... Around the Shivs that can damage the belt during running . Sounds obvious right ? I inherited a few units less than a year old that i had to change the belts because they were damaged from handover. However i also have some units 10 or 12 years old and the belts are like new .

As a matter of interest I was working at Otis when the first generation of gen2 came on the market , the sales staff and literature claimed that the CSB would last 25 years with minimal stretching or need for replacement ( compared to 10 years for average rope ) . Couple of years later they stopped claiming that and we had to retrofit the pulse monitoring system to all belted jobs . Take from that what you will .

pieman where do you get this cleaning product and or what is it called?

I will pm you .

Hi Pieman,

Thanks for the info. Could I get a pm of that belt cleaning solution name please? Thanks for considering.