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Topic: Generator end bearing (Read 940 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator end bearing

Has anyone here actually done the generator end bearing themselves?  I received the bearing from powertech and it keeps taunting me here.  I'm under the impression that I'll need to pull the generator out, unbolt 3 of the mounts and rotate the generator end out to gain more clearance.  Remove the screws and then???  I assume once the bearing is fully exposed I'll need a 2 jaw puller for removal and a socket that is around the same size as the inner race to drive the new bearing on.  Any pointers and pictures would be most appreciated, especially with removal any special care I have to take to not break things.

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #1 –
I would call Power Tech and get the info from them.
JD

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #2 –
Piku, I would use a socket that is closer to the outside bearing race if it was me. Just saying

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #3 –
Quote from: rbark –
Piku, I would use a socket that is closer to the outside bearing race if it was me. Just saying

If the bearing stays with the housing then sure.  Just don't destroy the bearing installing it is what I mean.

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #4 –
When you have reassembled it, make sure you have some end play, ie, no pressure on thrust bearings.

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #5 –
If peace of mind is a consideration, I'd find someone that knows what they are doing for the install.  pc

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #6 –
I mean I've rebuilt an engine before.  I've done the entire suspension in a car.  The only thing that makes me uneasy is that there are no written step by steps but I have a feeling I can figure this one out without much trouble.  We'll see though, I'll probably be doing it today.

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #7 –
Piku,

Please take pictures along the way and post a follow-up. 

Richard

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #8 –
I'm into it but I am thinking about reassembling and leaving it for Paul Yasbeck whom I have an appointment with in April.  It's just very disconcerting not having any kind of guide to follow.

The generator drawer pulled far enough in ours to get the cover off the end without disconnecting any engine mounts.  But unlike some of the other generators ours is brushless.  Instead of just having a heavy cast cover with the bearing exposed, we have an exciter field and armature.  I originally started trying to remove the field windings from the bracket but decided that might be a bad idea so I consulted the manual and according to that it turns out it is (in bold capital letters no less).

It looks like you pull the main bracket with the field attached off after removing the armature first but I'm not sure at this point...  Do you have to support the rotor?  Has anyone actually done this?

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #9 –
Well I went to further things and I was having trouble tracing the wires from the outer exciter stator.  Then I went to unbolt the armature and there is no bolt there so it looks like you have to somehow remove the 6 diodes... 

Anyway... I put it all back together.  This isn't worth messing up over.  There are too many unknowns without a service manual of some sort.  Hopefully Paul will let me watch and take photos.

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #10 –
Brushless excitor with rotating diodes. It shouldn't be too complex, but you probably did the best thing.

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #11 –
Power Tech is in Leesburg, Fl. 
They have an IT website. 
Included are manuals for various gen sets.
If you are a handy sort, you shouldn't have any issues R & R the end bearing.
It's not a big deal.. onward thru the fog! 
Getting the assembly clear of the enclosure is the main issue btw.  pc

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #12 –
Quote from: pocketchange –
Power Tech is in Leesburg, Fl. 
They have an IT website. 
Included are manuals for various gen sets.
If you are a handy sort, you shouldn't have any issues R & R the end bearing.
It's not a big deal.. onward thru the fog! 
Getting the assembly clear of the enclosure is the main issue btw.  pc

Krush it doesn't look overly complex but at the same time I can't figure out how to remove the exciter rotor.  I could start disconnecting the individual diode wires because that looks like the only way but that's not what the manuals say, they say there is a bolt. 

Another issue here is that the assembly is very large, it looks larger than the ones others are working with as we have a 12kw.
 

Re: Generator end bearing

Reply #13 –
Paul Yasbeck showed me the issue with mine.  It turns out the bolt and special washer that holds the exciter on just isn't there and hasn't been for quite some time.  But he said it's a tapered spline so it will probably never come off without a puller.  But the problem is if we pull it off to change the bearing he wouldn't be able to reassemble it and therefore we passed on doing this.  He said in his experience the bearing will start making normal bearing failure noises like squealing.  So I'll order the bolt and washer from powertech and just keep everything on hand.  I have an idea how the exciter comes off now so I should be able to do it myself in some tolerant rv park if it ever comes to that.