18
Inspection and Maintenance
• Maintain the oil level at or near the middle of the oil level sight gauge. The oil level
should always be visible in the sight gauge window when the unit is not operating/
energized, and the oil is at ambient temperature.
• Check oil level weekly with the unit idle. On units supplied with an external sight
gauge, check the oil level of the external sight gauge and the sight gauge on the gear
drive to ensure that the proper amount of oil is in the gear drive.
• Add oil through the oil fill elbow if level is below the oil level sight gauge.
• The standard oil provided is mineral oil. Synthetic lubricants are also available as an
option (see Fan Drive System “Lubrication” on
• Refer to
for normal operating oil capacity of each gear drive.
• Refer to
or the gear drive nameplate for specific gear model
number for each unit.
• Quarterly check to ensure proper alignment of all system components.
• Check to ensure that all bolts and external fasteners are tight.
• BAC recommends daily visual inspections and observation for oil leaks and unusual
noises and vibrations. If any of these occur, shutdown the unit until the cause is found
and corrected.
• If equipped with an external oil line and site glass, check weekly to make sure the
breather hole at the top of the sight glass is open.
Routine Maintenance During Operation
• Periodically recheck the alignment and tighten external fasteners as necessary. No
special break-in procedures are required.
• Excessive noise or vibration at initial operation is an indication of one or more of the
following:
–
Misalignment
–
Imbalance of the fan or other rotating parts
–
Improperly adjusted fan blades
–
Operation at the mechanical equipment resonant frequency
•
Installations with 2-speed motors:
When slowing from high speed, allow a minimum
15-second time delay for the fan to slow down before energizing the low-speed
winding.
• During periods of inactivity, the lubricant does not constantly lubricate the internal
parts of the gear drive, leaving the gear drive susceptible to corrosion. Therefore, the
following special precautions are necessary during periods of inactivity:
–
For best results, let the gear drive cool for approximately four hours after shutdown.
–
Start the fan and let it run for approximately five minutes. This will coat the internal
parts of the gear drive with cool oil.
–
Thereafter, run the fan for five minutes once a week, throughout the shutdown
period to maintain the oil film on the internal parts of the gear drives.
• Clean the outside of the gear drive at least quarterly.
• For start-up after prolonged shutdown, the gear box must be fully drained, then refilled
with new oil at or near the middle of the oil level sight gauge to prevent damage.
Re-install the air breather which was removed prior to the prolonged shutdown. Then,
follow the steps in “Initial Start-up” on
page 15
.
NOTICE:
If noise or vibration
persists, shut the unit down and
correct the cause before continuing
operation.
NOTICE:
When reversing the
direction of rotation, allow the fan
to come to a complete stop before
restarting the motor.
NOTICE:
For installations with
2-speed motors when slowing
from high speed, allow a minimum
15-second time delay for the fan
to slow down before energizing the
low-speed winding.
NOTICE:
Upon start-up, the gear box
must be drained back to the proper
level before operation to prevent
damage. The fan motor should be
locked and tagged out in order to
prevent operation until the oil level
is returned to normal.
