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Introduction
This Special Instruction provides information about the recommended method to service generator bearings.
Generators are equipped with one or two bearings depending on the application. In addition, some configurations include bearing wear sleeves that are located in the bearing bracket. Refer to Illustration 4. Bearing wear sleeves are constructed from a harder material to prevent the brackets from being worn. Some wear sleeves are insulated to prevent shaft currents.
Generators are provided with many different bearing configurations. Ball bearings, roller bearings, and sleeve bearings are all common types of bearings used in generators. The type of grease, operational life, temperature limits, and method of grease containment vary throughout the many generator applications.
Sleeve bearings are not used in AVSpare generators, therefore, sleeve bearings will not be covered in this document.
Ball bearings and roller bearings are commonly configured with shields to keep grease in, and contaminants out. Testing confirms that grease will pass from bearing bracket cavity through shields when the following occur:
- Equilibrium of grease is achieved, that is, excessive grease has purged out of the bearing
- Grease in the bearing bracket cavity rises above 50% fill
Some SR5 generators are equipped with bearings that never require additional grease for the life of the bearing. Some generators are equipped with bearings that can have grease added to the bearing.
Generators that are equipped with bearings that do not require additional grease, do not have threaded holes in the bearing brackets for grease tubes. The grease tubes are used as a means to deliver grease to a bearing. Therefore, if there is no threaded hole for a grease tube in the bearing bracket, then no grease can be added to the bearings. Refer to Table 1, and foot note 4.
In applications where the potential for contamination of bearing grease is minimal, some generator ball bearings are configured without shields. Excluding the shields helps to minimize bearing operating temperatures.
To determine the type of bearing and generator lubrication requirements, use one of the following:
- Engine serial number
- Generator arrangement number (that is found on the generator stator)
- Generator frame size
Use the information to look up the bearing part number that is located in the parts replacement publication. Use the information in Table 1 to determine the lubrication guidelines. Many generators that require the addition of grease are labeled with a lubrication plate or decal near the greasing ports.
The front of the generator refers to the generator drive end, that is, the end of the generator that is closest to the engine. The rear of the generator refers to the non-drive end.
AVSpare recommends replacement of the generator bearings during a major overhaul unless the bearings have been recently replaced prior to major overhaul. The following conditions may require bearing replacement at other times besides a major overhaul:
- High temperature environment
- Condensing humidity
- Coastal environment
- Chemical environment
- Abrasive environment
- Poor engine room ventilation
Bearing replacement before major overhaul may also be required when the following common causes or bearing problems are found:
- Insufficient amount of grease
- Contaminated grease from dirty environment
- Grease deterioration
- Mixing of incompatible grease
- Excessive bearing sleeve wear
- Generator set misalignment
- Excessive generator set vibration
- Extreme high or low operating temperatures
- Bearing bracket misalignment
- Bearing retainer bar hardware loose
- Excessive electrical shaft current
- Excessive bearing wear
- End of lifetime
- Improper storage procedure
- Indentations due to shock impacts due to improper generator transportation and handling
Bearing replacement is suggested if any of the following conditions are found:
- Bearing is running hot.
- The bearing appears to be locked.
- Noise is detected as the bearing is rotated.
- The outer casing appears to be burnt.
- The outer casting is blue in color.
- The lubricant is black in color.
- Non-uniform air gap between rotor and stator at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions
Important Safety Information
Do not perform any procedure in this Special Instruction until you have read this Special Instruction and you understand this information. Use only proper tools and observe all precautions that pertain to the use of those tools. Failure to follow these procedures can result in personal injury. The following procedures should also be observed.
Work safely. Most accidents that involve product operation, maintenance, and repair are caused by failure to observe basic safety rules or precautions. An accident can often be avoided by recognizing potentially hazardous situations before an accident occurs.
A person must be alert to potential hazards. This person should also have the necessary training, skills, and tools to perform these functions properly.
Safety precautions and warnings are provided in this instruction and on the product. If these hazard warnings are not heeded, bodily injury or death could occur to you or to other persons. AVSpare cannot anticipate every possible circumstance that might involve a potential hazard.
Therefore, the warnings in this publication and the warnings that are on the product are not all inclusive. Ensure that any tool, procedure, work method, or operating technique you use that is not recommended by AVSpare is safe.
Ensure that the product will not be damaged or the product will not be made unsafe by the operation, lubrication, maintenance, or repair procedures used.
Parts Kit
Some generators are not factory configured with lubrication hardware (10) installed to allow grease to be added. Refer to Illustration 3. Therefore, field installation of lubrication hardware for the bearings will need to be done to allow the required maintenance lubrication.
The 342-2409 Bearing Kit has been made available for generators with pre-drilled bearing brackets. The bearing kit contains pipe extensions and grease fittings. The components allow grease to be added to a bearing. The grease must be added according to the maintenance schedule that is in Table 1.
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Illustration 1 | g02718061 |
Factory installed bearing bracket with plug. The (1) Rear bracket (2) Factory installed plug (1/8 - 27 x .38 inch pipe thread plug) |
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Illustration 2 | g02718062 |
(1) Rear bracket
(4) Factory installed grease tube assembly (5) PMG stator |
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Illustration 3 | g02706516 |
(10) Lubrication tubes (when provided) |
Monitor Bearing Operation
- Monitor the operating temperatures of the bearings.
- Log the values of the ambient temperature, bearing temperatures, and generator electrical load at the time of the commissioning procedure. Log the values of the ambient temperature, bearing temperatures, and generator electrical load at periodic time intervals.
- Log the data for the alignment of the generator set at the time of the commissioning procedure. Log the data for the vibration level at the time of the commissioning procedure. Log the data from any subsequent alignment procedures for the generator. Log the data for the vibration level at periodic time intervals.
- Routinely perform a trend analysis of bearing temperature, alignment, and data for the vibration level throughout the operational life of the generator. Log the information for the bearings to ensure effective preventive maintenance for the bearings.
The maximum temperature at which each bearing has been designed to operate continuously is identified in Table 1. Periodically compare the temperature trending data against the value in Table 1 to evaluate the condition of the bearing. The following are typical signs that grease is deteriorating and that bearing life could be adversely affected:
- Continual operation above the maximum temperature
- A sharp rise in bearing temperature
If the conditions that are listed above exist, the recommendation is that the generator must be stopped and bearings inspected.
Note: Ambient temperature and break-in period are factors that must be considered.
Bearing Inspection
Refer to generator set package Operation and Maintenance Manual for the bearing inspection and replacement intervals.
External and preliminary visual inspection of the generator bearings will require the removal of external generator covers such as grills, louvers, or cover plates. Use a mirror to look for grease contamination caused by a dirty environment. Look also for signs of insufficient amounts of grease.
For an in-depth bearing inspection, perform the following:
- Remove the bearing from the shaft
- Remove the bearing side shields (if applicable)
- Cut the bearing in half if necessary
Check for grease condition. Look for abnormal load marks and any of the most common type of bearing damage listed below:
- Contact stress fatigue (spalling)
- Plastic yielding
- Adhesive wear
- Abrasive wear
- Corrosion
- Fretting corrosion and creep
- Electrical pitting and fluting
- Shipping, handling, and installation damage
- Fractures
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Illustration 4 | g06110004 |
(1) 1800 frame rear bracket
(12) Space heater elements (13) Bearing retainer brackets (14) Bearing wear sleeve (15) Lip seal (16) Retainer bar insulator (required for units with insulated wear sleeves) (17) Bearing bracket cavity |
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Illustration 5 | g02707496 |
Typical example (20) Main rotor of 7000 frame generator (21) |
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Illustration 6 | g02707519 |
(30) 1800 frame main rotor shaft
(31) Stator housing (32) Stator windings (33) Bearing (34) Polyethylene (protective) strips used during generator service, removed for operation (35) Main rotor (36) Main rotor leads |
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Illustration 7 | g02707657 |
(40) Grease fitting for lubricant on 7000 frame generator |
Note: The 7000 frame generator does not have a lower grease port.
Procedure for Bearing Service
Perform periodic bearing lubrication at the intervals that are shown in Table 1. Use the following instructions as the suggested procedure to service the bearings of the generator.
Note: If the generator already has a visible grease point, go to Step 4.
- Stop the generator set. Remove the required external cover plates, grills, and louvers of the generator to access the bearings.
- Remove the top grease pipe plug and the lower grease pipe plug if available. Big frame generators are equipped with rubber grease tubes to the side of the generator. Install the grease pipes if required.
- Install a grease fitting in the top grease port.
- Use a Cat® 8F-9866 Grease Gun or equivalent grease gun to grease the bearings. Use the appropriate type of grease and the quantity that is listed in Table 1. Avoid the use of alternate types of grease. Usage or mixing of alternate types of grease could cause premature bearing failure. For more information, refer to "Lubricating Grease" section of Maintenance Section, SEBU6250, "AVSpare Machine Fluids Recommendations".
Note: Add only the amount of grease listed in Table 1. Do not continue to add grease until purging is observed. Purging of grease will not always be observed.
- If grease fittings are permanently installed, ensure that the protective caps for the grease fittings are installed on the fittings when finished. If a grease fitting was installed in Step 2, remove the top grease fitting and install the plug that was removed. If applicable, do not install the plug on the bottom grease location yet. Wipe off the excess grease.
Note: Do not allow grease to drip on the stator windings of the generator. The stator windings that are exposed to grease could suffer degraded insulation. The degraded insulation would cause a reduction in the life of the windings.
- Operate the generator set at rated speed for approximately 1 hour. When running the engine more than 30 minutes, the recommended engine load to apply is a minimum of 50%. The procedure will allow the grease to expand. The expanding grease will force the excess grease from the cavity. The internal pressure will be reduced as the excess grease is forced from the cavity. Operate the generator until no grease is forced out of the cavity from the lower port if available.
- Stop the generator set. Inspect the generator windings, grease tubes, and bearing housings. Wipe off any excess grease. If a grease pipe plug was removed in Step 2, install the plug in the bottom grease pipe. Wipe off any excess grease.
Note: Do not allow grease to drip on the stator windings of the generator. The stator windings that are exposed to grease could suffer degraded insulation. The degraded insulation would cause a reduction in the life of the windings.
- Install all the external cover plates, grills, and louvers of the generator that were removed to access the bearings.
Bearing Part Number | Bearing Size | Frame Size | Temperature
Maximum(1) |
Grease
Part Number |
Interval | Weight | Volume | Shaft
Diameter |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2L-4444 Roller Bearing | |
808 | |
Every 1000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
3N-1965 Ball Bearing | 313 BC
|
440 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
4L-6677 Ball Bearing | 316 BC
|
580 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
5P-1977 Ball Bearing | 309 BC
|
360 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
5P-2448
Ball Bearing |
315 BC
|
580
590 |
|
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
6V-0410 Ball Bearing | 321 BC
|
680 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
6V-3310 Ball Bearing | 322 BC
|
800 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
6V-6752 Ball Bearing | 322 BL
|
800 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
6Y-3955
Ball Bearing |
220 BC
|
450 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
6Y-6488
Ball Bearing |
318 BC
|
597 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
9U-8241
Roller Bearing |
Roller 226 BC |
2500 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
108-1760
Ball Bearing |
321 BC
|
680 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
108-1761
Ball Bearing |
322 BC
|
690
800 |
|
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
109-7687
Ball Bearing |
316 BC
|
580 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
139-0349
Roller Bearing |
|
2900
2800 |
|
Every 250 service hours | |
N/A | |
|
139-0350
Roller Bearing |
|
2900
2800 |
|
Every 250 service hours | |
N/A | |
|
141-4612 Ball Bearing | 320 BC |
2400 2500 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
154-3032
Ball Bearing |
326 BC
|
820
1800(4)(5) 2600(5) 2700(5) |
|
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
164-9923 Ball Bearing | 326 BC
|
2400 | |
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
193-4070
Ball Bearing |
018 BC
|
498
499 |
|
Every 2000 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
241-4644
Bearing |
320 BC
|
LC7 | |
Every 4500 service hours or 12 months | |
N/A | |
|
243-5220
Bearing |
315 BB
|
LC6100
LC5000 |
|
N/A | Sealed
Grease cannot be added to this bearing. |
N/A | N/A | |
253-9789
Bearing |
320 BC
|
1400 | |
N/A | Grease cannot be added to this bearing. | N/A | N/A | |
253-9792
Bearing |
226BC
|
1400 | |
N/A | Grease cannot be added to this bearing. | N/A | N/A | |
261-3545
Bearing |
307 BB
|
LC2000 | |
N/A | Sealed
Grease cannot be added to this bearing. |
N/A | N/A | |
262-5921
Bearing |
307 BC
|
LC2000 | |
N/A | Sealed
Grease cannot be added to this bearing. |
N/A | N/A | |
263-0161
Bearing |
309 BC
|
LC3000 | |
N/A | Sealed
Grease cannot be added to this bearing. |
N/A | N/A | |
281-3091
Ball Bearing |
328 BC
|
3010(4)
3020(4) 3042(4) 3044(4) 3045(4) |
|
N/A | Grease cannot be added to this bearing. | N/A | N/A | |
311-0843
Ball Bearing |
326 BC
|
1800(4) | |
N/A | Grease cannot be added to this bearing. | N/A | N/A | |
311-0844
Ball Bearing |
322 BC
|
1600 | |
N/A | Grease cannot be added to this bearing. | N/A | N/A | |
341-7383
Ball Bearing |
330 BC
|
3055(6)
3066(6) 3068(6) |
|
Every 1800 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
375-3715
Ball Bearing |
328 BC
|
3010(4)(5)
3020(4)(5) 3042(4)(5) 3044(4)(5) 3045(4)(5) |
|
Every 2400 service hours or 12 months | |
|
|
|
454-6791 Ball Bearing | 6326-2Z
|
N5100 | |
Every 2000 service hours. See generator nameplate. | |
|
m6 tolerance |
|
478-5520 Ball Bearing | 6034MC3
|
B5600 | |
Every 2000 service hours. See generator nameplate. | |
|
|
|
504-2119 Roller Bearing | NU1026M-C3
|
B5600 | |
Every 2000 service hours. See generator nameplate. | |
|
|
|
504-2139 Roller Bearing | NU1034C3
|
B5600 | |
Every 2000 service hours. See generator nameplate. | |
|
|
|
515-2383 Ball Bearing | 6330M-C3
|
B5000 | |
Every 2000 service hours. See generator nameplate. | |
|
|
|
515-2388 Roller Bearing | 6322M-C3
|
B5000 | |
Every 2000 service hours. See generator nameplate. | |
|
|
|
519-2952 Ball Bearing | 6322-2Z
|
N4300 | |
Every 2000 service hours. See generator nameplate. | |
|
m6 tolerance |
|
522-5924 Bearing | 6322 | E3800L4 | |
Every 4000 service hours | |
|
|
|
550-1423 Bearing Drive End | 6234 M/C3 | Y5000 | |
Every 2200 service hours | |
|
|
|
550-2326 Bearing Non-Drive End | 6324/C3VL2071 | Y5000 | |
Every 2200 service hours | |
|
|
(1) | Indicates the alarm temperature set point that the bearing should be continuously operated at on the specified generator frame size. Shutdown set points are typically |
(2) | |
(3) | For Australia use only |
(4) | 1800 frame generators and 3000 frame generators shipped before 2012 use double-shielded bearings with synthetic grease. There are no threaded holes in the bearing brackets for the grease tubes that are used to add grease. Therefore, no grease can be added to the bearings. Beginning in 2012, 1800 frame generators and 3000 frame generators that are shipped will use a single-shielded bearing with |
(5) | All 2700 and 2600 frame generators, regardless of ship date, as well as 1800 and 3000 frame generators shipped beginning in 2012, use a single-shielded bearing design. Replacement bearings received from the Parts Division will have a shield on each side of the bearing. The shield facing the outside of the generator must be removed when the new bearing is installed. (Exception: 1866HE generators packaged with serial numbers GLM00116, GLM00121, GLM00122, GLM00129, GLM00130, GLM00131, GLM00132, GLM00133, GLM00138, GSJ00163, GSJ00166, although shipped in 2012-2014 time period, were shipped with double-shielded bearings, |
(6) | The generator uses a non-shielded bearing design. Although replacement bearings may have a shield on each side, both shields must be removed when the new bearing is installed. Replacement bearings are shipped as dry bearings and must be packed to 50% grease fill at time of installation. |
Bearing Replacement
Refer to the appropriate publication for each specific generator for bearing replacement procedures.
Replace both bearings of a two-bearing generator.
Replace any bearing wear sleeves and lip seals when the bearings are replaced.
Most replacement bearings are pre-lubricated. The pre-lubricated bearings do not require more grease at time of replacement. If the replacement bearing is shipped dry, the bearing is to be 50% packed with grease during installation.
For bearings that require relubrication, the old grease must be removed from the bearing bracket cavity.
Note: The bearing bracket cavity is the space between the bearing and the bearing bracket wall.
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Illustration 8 | g06110034 |
Bearing bracket cavity packed with grease |
The bearing bracket cavity must be packed with new grease from one-third to one-half full. Refer to Illustration 8 for an example. The grease tubing must be packed with new grease.
Note: Generator set alignment is required after the bearings are replaced.