DC question

[meika123]

Got a question which may or may not be STUPID, but I'm gonna ask it anyway. On the Clear Vue installation instructions, it says "When hooking the impeller to the motor, to tighten the nuts to 5 foot lbs. each." How do I go about doing this with a female hexagonal nut?
Or am I trying to get too technical?

[ptt49er]

Get a torque wrench

I wouldn't think it would make a difference if it's a nut or a bolt.

Best of luck!

[MIKE NOAH]

Dave,
I have a torque wrench and a few hex bit sockets. I can't remember the size req'd. let me know if I can help.
Mike

[ptt49er]

Originally Posted by MIKE NOAH

Dave,
I have a torque wrench and a few hex bit sockets. I can't remember the size req'd. let me know if I can help.
Mike

Yeah, the bits would help too...I totally had a mind fart when you said female...

I've gotten a few bits from the auto parts store for stuff like that.

Best of luck!

[meika123]

Originally Posted by meika123

Got a question which may or may not be STUPID, but I'm gonna ask it anyway. On the Clear Vue installation instructions, it says "When hooking the impeller to the motor, to tighten the nuts to 5 foot lbs. each." How do I go about doing this with a female hexagonal nut?
Or am I trying to get too technical?

"NUT". I meant "BOLT". "BOLT". Told ya it was stupid!!!

[Jim Murphy]

Amazingly enough, I used 7.5 pounds of free weights placed on the impeller blades while the shaft was horizontal. The distance from the screws to the end of the blades is (IIRC) about 8". That means you need 7.5 pounds operating on the 8" to achieve 5 ft/lbs of torque. I held the driver secure and started out using the 5# weights, allowing the weight to pull down the blade as I held the driver tight. Worked around the shaft, then added a 2.5# weight and did it all over again. My impeller hasn't hit the ground (yet). Think about it, it makes sense.

[McRabbet]

Just so you get the nomenclature correct, they are socket head cap screws, and they should be torqued down with a 5/32" hex bit socket (e.g., see this set from Sears; I bought my set at the Blue Borg). I used a 1/2" drive torque wrench that I've had for more than 40 years with a 1/2" to 3/8" drive adapter on it. First, make certain the shaft key is in place and that the impeller clears the blower housing by at least 1/4". What is critically important is to insert the cap screws into the clearance holes in the outer split bushing collar (they are unthreaded) and screw them into the threaded holes in the main bushing itself. Tighten each a little at a time until they are snug and then torque them to the required 5 ft-lbs. This pulls the tapered split outer collar into the main bushing and tightens it around the motor shaft. The other set of threaded holes are used when you want to remove the impeller from the motor shaft -- move the cap screws to those holes and they push the bushing halves apart. Hope this helps.

[meika123]

I have been that far already. Everything else is hooked up, tightened up, and otherwise assembled.
All I lack is: from an oversight on my part, I failed to cut a rabbet around the edge of the MDF where it fits into the blower housing. I have to figure a way to do this, then I will be ready to mount the impeller into it, and fire the "Sucker" up. Boy, am I apprehensive, and full of anticipation at the same time. WHEW!!!!

[meika123]

Originally Posted by meika123

All I lack is: from an oversight on my part, I failed to cut a rabbet around the edge of the MDF where it fits into the blower housing. I have to figure a way to do this.

Well, I figured out a way to do this today, and it worked rather well. Got it fitted, and made the hold-down clips for the impeller and motor mount. Installed the impeller to the motor shaft and squared everything up.
Now, I've gotta transport the thing home to its permanent location and start hooking it up.
Been a job, but a lot of satisfaction.