Subject: Re: Generator mount decision time
Author: Greg Field
Date: Sep 25, 2002, 8:16 AM
Post ID: 1711082218
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Anything to help spread the load....but really, if the belt is adjusted properly you should never have a problem... Mike |
I once believed in the above, too, until yesterday.
I went to change the oil on my Eldo, and so I hand-wiggled the gen just
to see if it was tight. For the first time in three years and 50,000
miles, I could wiggle it.
I tore it down and found one stud broken off right at the top of the
case.
This was after taking all precautions: grade 8 studs, loc-tite, welding
the strap on the back of the gen mount, shimming under the front of the
generator, proper belt adjustment, and checking it frequently.
I didn't have time to pull out the remains of the stud, so I put it back
together with one stud tightened down hard and will hope it holds until
I can fix it properly later this winter.
I'd say the "whipping" force as the gen slings side to side (that thing
weighs about 20 pounds) with the vibes of the engine far exceeds any
force the belt can exert. That the bolts are in-line prevents them from
resisting this whipping action. Given all that, I think hardened studs
are the wrong choice. Mild steel would probably be more resistant to
fatigue in this use.
GF
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<excerpt><fontfamily><param>Arial</param><smaller>
</smaller></fontfamily>Anything to help spread the load....but really,
if the belt is adjusted properly you should never have a problem...
Mike
</excerpt>
I once believed in the above, too, until yesterday.
I went to change the oil on my Eldo, and so I hand-wiggled the gen
just to see if it was tight. For the first time in three years and
50,000 miles, I could wiggle it.
I tore it down and found one stud broken off right at the top of the
case.
This was after taking all precautions: grade 8 studs, loc-tite,
welding the strap on the back of the gen mount, shimming under the
front of the generator, proper belt adjustment, and checking it
frequently.
I didn't have time to pull out the remains of the stud, so I put it
back together with one stud tightened down hard and will hope it holds
until I can fix it properly later this winter.
I'd say the "whipping" force as the gen slings side to side (that
thing weighs about 20 pounds) with the vibes of the engine far exceeds
any force the belt can exert. That the bolts are in-line prevents them
from resisting this whipping action. Given all that, I think hardened
studs are the wrong choice. Mild steel would probably be more
resistant to fatigue in this use.
GF
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