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Lessons Learned | 19 comments (19 topical, editorial)
Re: Lessons Learned (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by jlt on Fri Sep 26th, 2008 at 10:56:04 AM MST
(User Info)

I have  had the same problem  of not turning  very easy it worked well for 6 months. and now will not turn into wind until it's very strong.I'm trying to find a throw out bearing to fit inside a 3 1/2 inch pipe .



Re: Lessons Learned (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by Dave B on Fri Sep 26th, 2008 at 12:01:00 PM MST
(User Info) http://www.madbbs.com/users/bruggelog

I have a 16' and ran an 18' also with a thick bronze washer I cut to fit at the tower top. The pivot top and of course the stub top are welded steel plate with the cable hole bored, this gives the flat surface area for the large washer (bushing) to be sandwiched. Make it as close to the pipe diameter as you can and if you have a decent slip joint of pipe over pipe with minimal slop then all greased up works fine. I favor the bit of friction to yaw the machine, I'll check and grease it during the regular inspection but from what I had seen before this makes a very good thrust bearing. It actually seems to get better with time with a very smooth surface and very little sign of wear, not a concern for me with close to 250 Lbs of machine up there. Dave B.

[ Parent ]


Re: Lessons Learned (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by DanB (danb@*no spam*otherpower.com) on Fri Sep 26th, 2008 at 12:47:26 PM MST
(User Info) http://www.otherpower.com/

Yes, I have to agree with Dave...
a thrust bushing/bearing at the top is necessary - especially on turbulent sites, although I know some folks have gone for years with nothing like that - it always fails here (its turbulent here).

A good pipe over pipe yaw bearing is OK though, so long as it's greased - Dixie posted recently about their failure with the 15' turbine, the yaw pipe did wear out, but it took 4 years with no maintenance and Im afraid the machine was built very ligtly (I'd use much bigger/longer pipe for the yaw these days).  Some friction is nice there I think.  Although - you're solution with the bearing looks workable.  I worry a bit that if the bearing fails it could prevent furling - a very simple/sturdy pipe over pipe arrangement should never seize even if it wears out badly ~ so long as there is a bushing at the very top.

Not sure if this is a 10' machine or not - but - if it is, I think also part of the problem with teh stub snapping off is that its too long.  The stub should be just about the same length as the yaw bearing itself, looks like this one is quite long, and 1.5" pipe is not strong enough to support a machine that large in my opinion.  I'd not have less than 2.5" sched 40 pipe from the top guy wires to the yaw bearing itself - then a smaller pipe for the stub would be OK.

[ Parent ]



Lessons Learned | 19 comments (19 topical, 0 editorial)

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