I Had To Rebuild The Waterwheel, The Driveshaft Snapped!

Kris Harbour Natural Building2 minutes read

The water wheel experienced a catastrophic failure due to a failing shaft and gearbox, leading to a complete rebuild with a stronger, welding-free design. The rebuilt water wheel now has increased driving force and torque, ensuring durability and stability, with a reliable and secure final assembly.

Insights

  • The catastrophic failure of the water wheel's shaft and gearbox led to a complete rebuild of the Hub, necessitating the installation of a larger, stronger shaft without welding for enhanced durability.
  • The meticulous assembly process involved cutting off the old shaft, machining and fitting the new one with locking collars, and eliminating welding on the shaft to ensure a more robust and reliable water wheel system, resulting in increased driving force and torque.

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Recent questions

  • What caused the water wheel to stop suddenly?

    Failing shaft and gearbox led to halt.

  • How was the rebuilt water wheel improved?

    New design with larger, stronger shaft for durability.

  • What was the testing process for the repaired water wheel?

    Tested with water flow, reaching 5 L/second initially.

  • How has the rebuilt water wheel been performing?

    Producing 1,050 Watts currently, monitored for steady performance.

  • What advice was given to the customer regarding running the water wheel?

    Advised to run below a kilowatt initially for safety.

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Summary

00:00

Water Wheel Rebuild Enhances Durability and Stability

  • The water wheel experienced a major catastrophe due to a failing shaft and gearbox, leading to a sudden halt.
  • The customer sent a video showing the wobbling gearbox and the failing sensor, prompting immediate action.
  • The shaft sheared off completely during operation, necessitating a complete rebuild of the Hub.
  • The welding on the shaft caused it to deteriorate, leading to its failure, requiring a stronger rebuild.
  • The new Hub was machined and assembled with a larger, stronger shaft without welding for better durability.
  • The process involved cutting off the old shaft, machining the new one, and fitting it with locking collars for stability.
  • The assembly was challenging, requiring a sledgehammer to fit the components due to a tight friction fit.
  • The rebuilt water wheel now has increased driving force and torque, ensuring durability and stability.
  • The process involved meticulous alignment, welding, and bolting for a secure and reliable final assembly.
  • The new design eliminates welding on the shaft, ensuring a more robust and reliable water wheel system.

20:45

Water Wheel Upgrade Increases Power Output

  • The water wheel was repaired with four 12.9 cap head bolts, welded all around, and updated with a new 65mm shaft, bigger bearings, hub locking collars, and a larger gearbox.
  • The wheel was tested with water flow, reaching a flow rate of about 5 L/second initially, with full flow expected to be around 100-120 L. The setup was tightened to specification to ensure reliability.
  • The wheel has been running for about two months, producing 1,050 Watts currently, with a total of 9.2 kwatt hours since midnight. It has been monitored for output fluctuations and has shown steady performance.
  • The wheel's output history was detailed, showing variations due to maintenance, low river levels, and blockages, with the customer advised to run it below a kilowatt initially. The system has been certified by an electrician for safety and reliability.
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