Wind Generator bearings

[LadyInBed]

I installed a Rutland 913 in April 02 and have just found the bearings have gone so stiff that the blades won't turn in a F4.

What is the life of wind generator bearings?

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[webcraft]

I've got an Aerogen that is of a considerable vintage according to the manufacturers and still going strong. The main bearings are a bit clunky now and so I am going to replace them this Winter - kit is £12

I would chin the makers or sellers about this and see if you can't get a freebie - they should last a lot longer than that.

- Nick

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[gus]

You may have salt crystals in the bearings if they are at all exposed to the ingress of sea spray. It can be worth seeing if you can obtain bearings cheaper from a local bearing supplier if you take along the originals for a match. It may also be worth while fitting some form of deflector/cover to avoid any more salt getting into the bearings in the future. Also from my own experience of disabling my wind generator over the winter and finding the bearings had gone rough, I was told that providing there is sufficient lubrication, it is better that the wind generator is allowed to turn constantly as the bearings don't like to be static in the particular environment common to wind generators.
Hope this helps.

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[Alex_Blackwood]

In my many years of experience in dealing with electrical equipment bearings in conditions ashore and at sea, in enclosed spaces and out in the elements. I would say that it is difficult to put a life expectation on bearings in any situation. However I would normally expect bearings to last for at least two(2) years before replacing. The wind generator is designed for harsh conditions in a marine environment and under normal circumstances I would expect the bearings to last longer than yours have. I would consider having a good old whinge at Rutland and see if they are willing to to do anything about it.
They are actually MARLEC ENGINEERING Co. Ltd., Rutland House, Corby. N'hants. NN17 5XY. They do have a website. I dont have that handy at the moment.
If you don't get any luck with them check the prices of bearings with a local supplier (Yellow Pages) as a previous thread has sugessted.

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[LadyInBed]

Looking back through my paperwork, it didn’t last as long as I thought it had only been in service eighteen months. I dashed off a whinge-mail to Marlec last night expressing my dissatisfaction. I will have to wait and see what they say.

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[Alex_Blackwood]

Good luck!

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[MainlySteam]

I have to say that I have no experience with wind generators at all, but is it not possible to replace the bearings with sealed (not just open or shielded) ones - I am assuming they are ball or similar? I would have thought that if that is possible then they would last for many, many years suffering only corrosion on the less important outer exposed parts of the races.

John

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[steve_cronin]

A short circuit......

..I mean the output wires somewhere connected together would give the impression of stiff bearings. Have you tried it completely disconnected?

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Re: A short circuit......

The hand book for the Rutland states that the generator MUST NOT be run disconnected. I suspect that if you do there will be no voltage regulation and the voltage would ramp up. This could cause damage to the electrics/electronics of the machine. Normally if the bearings have gone you will hear and feel the roughness. If the Drive end bearing has gone there is likely to be excessive play in the shaft, if you hold the prop. and move it up and down you will feel it move. The Non Drive End bearing is probably a thrust bearing and it may be a bit more difficult to "Feel" if it has gone. Turning the machine by hand should result in a smooth silent operation. If it feels or sounds rough then a bearing,or bearings, are shot.
F.A.O. Mainlysteam.
My friend has the same machine and the bearings, as far as I can remember, are well enclosed, quite a major strip down to repair. I would think from the construction of the machine that they would be sealed. If I get a chance to have a closer look this W/E will let you know.

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[LadyInBed]

Re: A short circuit......

Not a Short - Bump started it in a F5 and metered the o/p.

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[Rowana]

Could it be . . .

... That there is a build up of salt crystals on the shaft where it enters the generator housing causing the clearance to reduce to zero ?? Have you tried a bit of WD40, or electical cleaning fluid on the shaft, and giving a turn by hand ??

Failing that, then it looks like a stripdown jobbie. I seem to recall that bearing numbers with a "ZZ" suffix were sealed type. Mind you, it's over 20 years since I was directly involved with motors & bearings, & that sort of stuff, so I could be wrong on this one. Your local bearing shop would keep you right anyway.

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[LadyInBed]

Re: Could it be . . .

Cheers Jim, going down with a ladder this w/e. Then I can get it off the mast and home to my workshop, should then be able to sort the sand from the salt crystals.

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[steve_cronin]

IS there...

...a ny "voltage regulation" circuitry in a rutland? There certainly isn't in an Aerogen, you need to buy it as an extra. For the purposes of the test i suggested, a short time of turning disconnected can't cause ANY damage at all or the thing is too fragile for the marine environment. If it is damaged by rotating disconnected from a battery I would suggest that this would be mechanical by over-revving due to no shunt (battery) being connected.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion