2
START-UP
1. Remove the filler plug and install the proper amount of flow
charge specified in Table 1. Replace and tighten filler plug,
making sure that no flow charge is trapped in threads. Torque
filler plug to 35 inch-pounds.
2. Attach AC ammeter (conventional clamp-on or equivalent) to
one line of the AC motor. Set range to cover 200% of motor
nameplate current.
3. Note the maximum allowable acceleration time as stated in
Tables 1 and 2.
Note: Table 2 lists starting time capacity for starting cycles
occurring more than once every 2 hours.
4. Push start button. Observe motor current during load
acceleration and number of seconds required to reach full
speed (Fig. 2).
Increase amount of flow charge if:
A. Acceleration time reaches maximum allowable before load
is up to speed. Turn off power immediately if this time is
reached.
B. Acceleration amperage is below motor nameplate.
Decrease amount of flow charge if:
A. Acceleration time is less than 1-1/2 seconds.
B. Acceleration amperage is above 200% of motor nameplate.
Once satisfactory operation has been obtained, record the
following for future reference:
1. The amount of flow charge
2. Starting current
3. Acceleration Time
WARNING: The rotor must slip during acceleration to
allow flow charge to become evenly distributed in the
FLEXIDYNE housing. Therefore, DO NOT ALLOW FLEXIDYNE
MECHANISM TO RUN "FREE" (that is, without a load on the
driven end), otherwise an out-of-balance condition may
result, damaging mechanism and attached equipment.
Seconds from Start
Acceleration Amps
Lock-In
400
300
200
100
10
8
6
4
2
In-rush Amps
Running
Amps
%
Nameplate
Motor
Current
Figure 2 - Typical Motor Current vs. Time
OPERATION
The amount of flow charge in the housing determines the
acceleration time for a given load. Slower acceleration times will
occur when less flow charge is used and faster acceleration, from
stop to full speed, will be observed with greater amounts of flow
charge.
The FLEXIDYNE mechanism should start the load smoothly and
without delay, provided the proper amount of flow charge has
been used. Should the acceleration time exceed the maximum
allowable in Table 1, shut off power to the FLEXIDYNE mechanism
immediately. Allow the FLEXIDYNE mechanism to cool, then
add small amounts of flow charge until proper acceleration is
observed.
Vibration is an indication of accelerating too rapidly and not
allowing flow charge to become evenly distributed in the
FLEXIDYNE housing. This can be corrected by removing small
amounts of flow charge until vibration subsides. Other causes of
vibration are: undersize shafting, unit not installed far enough on
shaft or worn bore in the unit.
Slippage — The FLEXIDYNE mechanism can, without slipping,
transmit overloads up to 130% of its pre-set starting torque.
Should this breakaway torque be exceeded, the FLEXIDYNE
mechanism will slip and generate heat (see Overload Protection).
Although slippage usually indicates increased loads, it can also
be caused by worn flow charge or a worn rotor especially if the
FLEXIDYNE mechanism has been in operation for some time. The
necessity to replace either a rotor or flow charge will be made
evident by a loss in power transmitting capacity of the FLEXIDYNE
mechanism.
MAINTENANCE
For average industrial applications involving 3 or 4 starts a day
and of not more than 6 seconds acceleration time each, the flow
charge should be changed every 10,000 hours of operation. For
more severe conditions, visually inspect flow charge at more
frequent intervals; it should be changed when it has deteriorated
to a half powder, half granular condition. See page 8 for flow
charge analysis. Visual inspections should continue until enough
flow charge changes have been made to adequately establish a
schedule for renewing FLEXIDYNE flow charge.
The FLEXIDYNE mechanism has been lubricated at the factory
and no further lubrication is required. Never apply grease, oil or
any other foreign material to the flow charge.
