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Originally Posted by nyrb The Reliance Motors 790 HP and up were the exception to that rule, they were very specific in only using Texaco Premium RB Lithium Grease which does not mix well with Polyurea grease. Correct. I didn't mention the exception as the Reliance motor never showed up on any job or start up I ever performed.
Attachment 617541 This Timken chart says Lithium Complex (Texaco Premium RB for example) and Shear-Stable Polyurea (Chevron SRI 2 for example) are compatible.
Originally Posted by KnewYork YI used Chevron SRI 2 grease exclusively my entire career. It is one of about 2 or 3 lubricants that York approved. If I remember correctly lithium based greases were not approved. You cannot go wrong with the Chevron SRI 2 grease. The Reliance Motors 790 HP and up were the exception to that rule, they were very specific in only using Texaco Premium RB Lithium Grease which does not mix well with Polyurea grease.
Y Originally Posted by MechTech2013 I know this is an old thread. The Texaco Premium RB (a lithium complex) has now been shelved as obsolete by Chevron Lubricants. Chevron Lubricants recommends purging the bearings of old grease and using Chevron SRI 2 (a shear-stable polyurea). I know a few Chiller guys that use LPS ThermaPlex (also a lithium complex) in place of Texaco Premium RB. I used Chevron SRI 2 grease exclusively my entire career. It is one of about 2 or 3 lubricants that York approved. If I remember correctly lithium based greases were not approved. You cannot go wrong with the Chevron SRI 2 grease.
We as a company use this
I know this is an old thread. The Texaco Premium RB (a lithium complex) has now been shelved as obsolete by Chevron Lubricants. Chevron Lubricants recommends purging the bearings of old grease and using Chevron SRI 2 (a shear-stable polyurea). I know a few Chiller guys that use LPS ThermaPlex (also a lithium complex) in place of Texaco Premium RB.
Maybe the problem was on the other side of the counter where the bearings were bought?
Originally Posted by klove The bearing type used in the motor is stamped on the nameplate. I've changed a bunch of them and bought a standard across-the-counter bearing per the type stated and never had a problem. The only thing that's "loose" would be that the rear bearing floats with the expansion of the rotor. If that float is missing due to improper machine work on the bearing housing during repair, then you will most definitely have problems. I've changed a few myself, and had similar results as you. But I've also had some dealings with other types of machinery and found bearings that were made differently. Pretty sure there are speed ratings on most bearings. Somehow those einsteins got ahold of the wrong variety. Don't ask me how. But I was standing next to the chiller the last time it let go and pushed the stop button when the smoke rolled. Then I watched it start up after the bearings were changed. Still running to this day.
The bearing type used in the motor is stamped on the nameplate. I've changed a bunch of them and bought a standard across-the-counter bearing per the type stated and never had a problem. The only thing that's "loose" would be that the rear bearing floats with the expansion of the rotor. If that float is missing due to improper machine work on the bearing housing during repair, then you will most definitely have problems.
Originally Posted by IGBTech I know this is an old thread, but....what hppened with the bearing issues? I'm guessin you're talking to me? They finally got it resolved. Turns out they were talking to the motor manufacturer and that's where the bearing specs were coming from. They finally put a call in to York and they gave them a spec for a looser bearing. Been running ever since. Some of you more experienced guys can chime in, but I'm pretty sure there are different classes of bearings with different speed ratings. The faster speed the looser the bearing to take up for heat expansion? Maybe?
I know this is an old thread, but....what hppened with the bearing issues?
We can't all be a rocket scientist.
update I pulled the relief plugs and the grease fittings from the motors. grease fittings - green grease, more than likely Texaco RB relief plugs - blue polyrex The factory guys have taken care of these chillers since new, I know most of them and they're all pretty sharp guys. Looks like they didn't know about the service bulletin either and were going by what the O&M manual said to do. I actually found stickers on the motors saying to only use polyeura based grease, but they're painted over with Caribbean Blue. It's never easy!
update
I think his has been an issue for a year or so now. I've been trying to stay away from it but got sucked in. Pretty sure this last time. Everything but the outer cases were replace. The motor dude told me it got so hot be whole shaft was black. Pretty bad deal i guess.
Originally Posted by dave50 I think these guys are a dedicated motor shop. Fairly well known around here. I was in there this morning and the customer told me that the motor guys had just now contacted the manufacturer about comparing specs. They've tried blaming the chiller, but I don't see how that's possible. But they've got people on it that I hope know more about it than I do. So who knows. If they're a motor shop and they're on their 4th set of bearings in as short of a period of time as I take it's been, somebody needs to wake up and smell the coffee. Tell 'em I ain't cheap, but I'm easy!!
Originally Posted by turbomaster Instead of pulling the relief plugs, pull the grease fittings and see what they have been pumping in there. Where I work you don't have to do that. You can see from the grease that's left all over the alimite. I did try pulling the relief plugs on a YT one time, to "flush" old grease out, and that crap didn't work. The fire department is going to love me, when they try to put that fire out. (4160V).
I think these guys are a dedicated motor shop. Fairly well known around here. I was in there this morning and the customer told me that the motor guys had just now contacted the manufacturer about comparing specs. They've tried blaming the chiller, but I don't see how that's possible. But they've got people on it that I hope know more about it than I do. So who knows.
Originally Posted by dave50 Nice. I figured that. Ive got a 1700 ton that the customer brought an electrical contractor in on because it was eating bearings. I think they as on their 4th try now and it ran for a good 2 1/2 hrs before smoke started rolling. Chiller looked good while it was running though. I got stuck in there when they bought a new coupling from us. They are scrambling for answers and the grease was quite a stretch I thought. Sounds like they need to stop, regroup, and get someone that knows the motor to do the work. Not all, but the majority of, electrical contractors pull wire and mount devices. They aren't necessarily the folks that should be inside the motor. From what you say, it sounds as if there are other issues that desperately need to be addressed, but they have to know what questions to ask first.
Nice. I figured that. Ive got a 1700 ton that the customer brought an electrical contractor in on because it was eating bearings. I think they as on their 4th try now and it ran for a good 2 1/2 hrs before smoke started rolling. Chiller looked good while it was running though. I got stuck in there when they bought a new coupling from us. They are scrambling for answers and the grease was quite a stretch I thought.
Originally Posted by dave50 How long will it take one of those big reliance motors to eat bearings with the Polyrex i it? How many dogs will fit in a doghouse? Nobody can predict failure time on anything that is running under abnormal conditions other than to say that premature failure is imminent. But are the conditions really abnormal? When I replace bearings in one of those, I go back with Polyrex from the beginning. It's not the type of grease used that matters (as long as the specs are correct for the application) so much as the mixture of greases with different characteristics.
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