[TowerTalk] fernco rubber couplings: part numbers + thoughts on grease

[Kevin Normoyle]

<this relates mostly to use of flange bearings like us towers distributes>

There has been mention of use of fernco adapters as weather shields
on thrust bearings. I try to add some specifity here. I've not used any.
Comments invited.

Sometimes "fernco" is misspelled "furnco" on the web.

I've not seen specific part numbers mentioned.
so...searching on http://www.fernco.com ...

fernco part numbers  that seem useful to us

1056-215 1.9" o 2.4
1056-315 1.9 to 3.38
1056-415 1.9 to 4.38
1059-150 1.93" to 2.25"

http://www.fernco.com/LineArt/1056_215.jpg
http://www.fernco.com/LineArt/1056_315.jpg
http://www.fernco.com/LineArt/1056_415.jpg
http://www.fernco.com/LineArt/1059_150.jpg

I've seen online searches (like froogle) talk about 2"x3" adapters, but 
those
must be pipe I.D. because for example a 1036-32 has the relevant (for us)
dimension of 2.4"x3.38", which is too big for a 2" mast. The above urls
shows the dimensions we're interested in.

A 1056-415 is sometimes called a 4"x1-1/2" coupling, so have to watch
just how they are dimensioned.

http://www.plumbingstore.com/flexibleconnectors.html is not the best price,
but seems to have all four.
I suppose plumbing vendors charge amazing markups compared to what
the fernco price lists show. (example: $14.61 for a 1056-415)


here's a unique one that could be a possible if used upside down
2"x5" debris trap wc-500-238, http://www.fernco.com/WC.asp

Another manufacturer of similar product calls them "Ronco" couplings
http://www.ronfell.com/components/couplings/
but I can't find them online.

Although: the biggest risk to bearings may be from condensation which 
isn't helped by
stuff like this.

Also, I wonder if fretting corrosion on the ball bearings is a common 
failure mode for
thrust bearings, which this also doesn't help. Seems like we really want 
stainless
steel bearings.

Also: there has been discussion of "marine grease" on the common flange 
bearings
like from US towers, but I wonder if that is really optimal for the low 
rpm, outdoors,
low load, cases we have.

Would seem like we want a low viscosity, waterproof grease, with good 
operation
well below 0 deg F.

I've seen some waterproof greases which mention just -4 deg F or even 15 
deg F
at the low range.

Consistently, when I look at the specs for the "best" waterproof greases,
they give up low temp operation. Seems like they give up viscosity for 
waterproofness
in the recipes.

I wonder how much of our problems are due to non-optimal grease selection.
(although the lube schedule may be more important).

Maybe we really want synthetic greases advertised for wire rope and open 
gears.

I've been searching around, but haven't found something I'd say has
the best specs yet....save for another post.


 -kevin
ke6rad