LE10XIN ERV
RENEWAIRE.COM
INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
1.800.627.4499
34
MAINTENANCE
The high-efficiency electric motors used in RenewAire ERVs require greater care than what was
needed years ago. Improper bearing lubrication can result in:
• Failed bearings due to under-lubrication
• Catastrophic motor failure due to over-lubrication
Smaller motors often have permanently lubricated bearings and do not require any lubrication at all.
In all cases, read the motor manufacturer’s operating and maintenance instructions for each motor.
Before attempting to lubricate any motor,
• Identify the type of grease that the motor manufacturer recommends for each motor.
• Either purchase a new grease gun that is to be used only for these motors or else clean any old
grease from an existing grease gun.
• Calibrate the grease gun so that you know the actual amount of grease being pumped out with
each stroke. Tag the grease gun with this information.
• Determine how much grease is needed for each bearing and establish a lubrication schedule.
Do not use general purpose or EP type greases. Do not mix different types of grease.
Different types of greases are formulated for different application requirements such as shaft speed
and shaft size, operating temperature and the load on the bearing. Grease is basically a carrier for
specific oils that are needed for each application. Greases are made with different thickeners and
these thickeners are often incompatible with other types of thickeners, so once the correct grease has
been determined, you must continue with that grease.
Determine the correct grease:
First examine the data plate on each motor. The data plate may have lubrication instructions that
supersede instructions that are found online.
Go to the motor manufacturer’s web site and find the operating instructions for each motor,
referencing the frame and motor type.
The most commonly used motors in RenewAire ERVs are made by Baldor. If you are viewing this
document on a computer connected to the internet, click the button below to go directly to their web
site.
http://www.baldor.com/support/
For other motor manufacturers, verify the manufacturer name and go to their site manually.
Determine a lubrication schedule:
The same web site will have information needed for determining a lubrication schedule. Some of the
needed information will change periodically, such as the duty cycle of the motor. Example: a fan used
for heated Supply Air may only run in the winter and its lubrication needs are not the same in the
summer.
Record the manufacturer’s lube requirements in Section 11.6 Maintenance Records. Show the lube
requirements separately for each fitting (there may be a different lube requirement for front or rear
bearings).
