Sheared bolts on generator

[morford49]

I am still going with Ike. The bearing shows no sign of wear or siezing. What is left of the bolts are still protruding about 1/8 in through the holes of the rotor showing that the were long enough and had not backed out. I ran the engine at least 15 minuites trying to see why there was no output. Could not tell that the generator was not turning until I tried to turn by hand to check the diodes. Boy, was I surprised. The windings seem to be fine and I will let everyone know the result when I stick it back together. It will be this weekend before I get the chance. I still wonder about the multiple plates. Thanks to all for the help. .

 

[ETN550]

I am still going with Ike. The bearing shows no sign of wear or siezing. What is left of the bolts are still protruding about 1/8 in through the holes of the rotor showing that the were long enough and had not backed out. I ran the engine at least 15 minuites trying to see why there was no output. Could not tell that the generator was not turning until I tried to turn by hand to check the diodes. Boy, was I surprised. The windings seem to be fine and I will let everyone know the result when I stick it back together. It will be this weekend before I get the chance. I still wonder about the multiple plates. Thanks to all for the help. .

Yes, confirm the correct number of flex plates prior to assembly. If one required then three is a likely problem. If three required then good possibility it will be just fine when re-assembled.

 

[derf]

Is it possible the bolts were hand tightened and then the assembler forgot to torque them?
Add that to a sudden loading and/or unloading and you might get enough force to shear them.

 

[morford49]

Got everything back together, cranked it up, and POWER!!!. I used the three flex plates that came out of it and everything seems to be working fine. No vibration. I want to thank all of you for the valuable help. It's always helpful to have a hand to hold when you're working on a 10KW generator.

 

[derf]

I'd bet the guy who last put it together forgot (or neglected) to torque the bolts. He probably just put them in finger tight. That might explain what you had.
Congrats.
I love it when I get a surplus gen going.