RELIABILITY WIRE - by www.ReliabilityDirect.com

Volume 6, Issue # 6 - November, 2005

In This Issue

Visit our Suite of PdM Websites: 

• www.ReliabilityDirect.com

• www.Extech-Direct.com 

• www.MaintenanceAreaDirect.com 

• www.HazardousAreaDirect.com 

Contest Winner: Joe Halbrook - Valero - Three Rivers

New Products: What's New at the Largest e-Catalog for Condition Monitoring

• VO Fiber Optic Inspection Scopes allow you to look inside engines, behind walls, into pipes and many other places without costly disassembly. A great tool for Automotive, Marine, Aviation, Law Enforcement, Renovators, Maintenance, Pest Control and more!

• The Sound TRAP1000 Ultrasonic Inspection Kit can effectively be used for investigating Air Leaks, Gas and Liquid Turbulence, Electrical Discharge, and Mechanical Wear.

• Our Precut Stainless Steel Shims are manufactured from the highest quality, corrosive-resistant stainless steel. The shims come in a variety of standard assortments and each kit is offered in a sturdy metal carrying case with a removal tool. Shims are also available in any custom assortment to fit your needs.

• The ThermaCAM® E25 is a rugged, ultra-portable, easy-to-use infrared camera. Now with the world’s most powerful infrared detector, the E25 offers unmatched temperature measurement accuracy and image quality. With your choice of optics, the E25 is built for harsh environments, is rugged yet flexible, feature rich and affordable.

Ask The Expert:  Automotive and Fleet Maintenance Applications for low cost ultrasonic inspection

• Engine Mechanical: Find vacuum leaks instantly. Pass the hollow probe  under the hood, listen for the "hissing" sound, observe the LED bar-graph and pinpoint the vacuum leak.
• Electrical Systems: Separations in high tension spark plug wire conductors can be quickly identified from the corona discharge "snapping" sound emitted. The same applies to arcing within electrical motors and accessories. Circuits are best tested under operation and load. Wiggle the wiring for short circuit and connection checks - electrical problems will call out to you.
• Air Conditioning Systems: If no Freon in the system, pressurize with Nitrogen to about 150-250 psi and listen for leak with hollow probe. On supper slow leaks, spray a soap solution on A/C components and lines and you will hear the bubbles from more than 3 feet away. You can also pull a vacuum on the system and listen for air sucking into the system. Another alternative is to use the accessory transmitter and inject ultrasound into the system - the wave will escape were the leak is occurring. The wave is so short that it will escape from an opening 1/20th the thickness of a human hair. This s how most commercial companies would find an A/C leak.
• Ignition Systems: You can hear the coils and plugs firing. Best method for diagnosing Coil Over Plug systems. Also works great on Distributor-less Ignition Systems. Use the solid probe and listen at both ends of the plug wire to determine problem area.
• Injectors: Place solid probe onto the injector while engine is running. You'll hear injector working and fuel flow. A clean injector will make a sharp ringing clicking tone, while a dirty injector will have a muffled clicking tone.
• Air Brake System: Build up full pressure and sweep the hollow probe from one end to the other. Once the general area of leak has been determined, the probe can pinpoint the exact location of the leak. Check the air horn, wipers and other air actuated equipment as leaks in accessories can produce a gauge drop.
• Tires: Use the hollow probe to seep the tire and pinpoint the leak.
• Leaking Valves: Using the solid contact probe, all valves will emit a sound in a very close meter and sound pattern when the probe is placed on the intake manifold opposite the intake port. A suspected valve can then be positively checked, with the engine off, by bringing that cylinder to full compression and placing the probe on the valve stem. The "hiss" of escaping gas across the valve seat will be distinctly audile on the leaking valve.
• Cooling System: Air in the cooling system can cause hot spots, resulting in burned liners and heads in a short time. Use the Sound Trap 1000 receiver with Head phones in suspect areas, such as the head gasket, water pump, and injectors, will usually detect the source of the leak. All such tests should be conducted while the engine is idling. Internal leaks may also be pinpointed immediately after shutoff when internal pressure is at its highest point.
• Exhaust Systems: With the engine idling, pulsation in the exhaust system can be detected with the receiver. Using Headphones, leak points will five off much louder and sharper sound.
• Wheel Bearings: A bearing in good condition and properly lubricated produces a soft "whirring" sound via the headphones. Lack of lubrication introduces scraping sounds. Flat spots or nicks cause a clicking noise, depending on the speed of rotation and degree of damage. Use the solid probe and touch the spindle while spinning the wheel for best results.
• Drive Train Bearing and Gears: Using the receiver, headphones and solid probe, it is possible to determine which gear of bearing is faulty. Allow the drive train to run with the wheels off the ground to discover the point of greatest noise generation.
• Hydraulic Systems: Since hydraulic systems employ very high pressures, the intensity of the ultrasonic sound given off by an internal leak is very high and easily detected by the Sound Trap 1000. Use the hollow or solid probe for this test.
• Body Weather Stripping, Seals, Fuels Tanks: The Sound Trap 1000 transmitter, placed inside a vehicle, fuel tank or any enclosure, can locate leaks in weather stripping, seals, or the structure itself. This is very useful for inspecting fuel transporters and storage tanks and will save many hours of downtime and labor.

What's Hot: Seriously Cool Tools for less than $1,000.00

• EXTECH 42510 IR Thermometer offers the widest temperature range (up to 1000°F) available in this price range. Built-in laser pointer identifies target area, while backlighting illuminates the display for reading measurements.

• The EXT-407730 is our best selling digital sound level meter. It Record Max/Min values over time and has Auto power off and Max Hold functions.

• The PT908-E-0 Vibration Meter utilizes an external accelerometer and magnetic base to improve frequency response and provide a more repeatable vibration reading. It is available in both English or Metric units for only $685.00

• Alemite’s 1056-S4 is our top-selling heavy duty grease gun and a top choice of industrial users worldwide. This patented-design grease gun features an adjustable linkage to generate high pressures or high volume output.

• www.Extech-Direct.com is your source for HVAC/R instruments.

  Whether you need a Multi-Meter, Clamp Meter, Anemometer, Thermometer,

  Psychrometer, or any other type of meter, we offer a full range of HVAC/R

  products.

Contest Winner:  Joe Hallbrook, Valero - Three Rivers

frequency which our ears can interpret.

Prize:  Extech 407730 Sound Level Meter  & Reliability Direct Mouse Pad!

November Question: The SKF THAP series Air-Driven Hydraulic pumps are available in three different pressure versions. They are used for mounting and dismounting OK couplings, for dismounting large pressure joints such as bearings, ________, _________, railway wheels and in many similar applications.

To enter the contest, send e-mail to dgallagher@reliabilitydirect.com with correct answers and contest in the subject line.

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