PowerSpout
TRG installation 2018
Last revised July 2018
© 2018 EcoInnovation Ltd (NZ)
Page 20
2.1.10. Greasing the bearings
For a longer document on this subject please see our
Bearing care guide
.
If you are reading this for the first time following a
bearing failure you are too late and some damage
(other than bearings) is likely to have occurred.
The photo (right) shows typical shaft damage due to a
worn-out bearing. When the bearing does not spin
freely, it spins on the shaft instead, which rapidly wears
it down until it is unfit for future use.
Grease type
Any grease is better than no grease. You must
grease the bearings.
Quality is less important where canisters ensure a steady flow.
If possible, use waterproof grease.
Where the turbine power output is low you will benefit greatly from using a low-
viscosity grease.
We recommend
SKF LESA 2
grease for all PowerSpout applications or a close
equivalent.
Manually applied lubrication
Sealed bearings do need to be re-greased at times, because hydro
turbines run 24/7 and see very high cycle rates. The PowerSpout is
provided with a re-greasing nipple (Zerk fitting) so this can be easily
done. Do this with the shaft spinning (driven either by water power or
using a cordless drill with a 19mm socket attachment).
Pump into the bearing block about 40 ml of
grease when first commissioning. This is
normally about 40-60 pumps of a domestic
type grease gun. Grease the bearings with
the magnetic rotor removed. Once you see
grease on the dust shield you can stop.
Smear this expelled grease onto the shaft
spline. (Perform any checks of output
voltage before doing this as the fresh
grease will affect the maximum off-load
speed.)
Subsequent re-greasing should be about 5
ml of grease (about 5-8 pumps) with the
shaft spinning.
You should lubricate your PowerSpout bearings when you first use it (directly after any
measurements of open circuit voltage) and then (at least):
Every 12 months for generation up to 300 W.
Every 6 months for generation up to 600 W.
Every 3 months for generation up to 1600 W.
