woods style pump coupler

creger.robert

any tricks of trade or suggestions for aligning coulpings-

Intplm.

If the shafts are the same diameter, you can use a level.

ScottSecor

Without specialized tools, it can be a little tricky. I am assuming your working on a base mounted pump.

You need a least a straight edge, preferably metal. You use very thin metal shims under the motor and or bearing assembly to make shafts line up correctly. In simple terms you lay the straight edge on the top, bottom, left and right side of the shafts. Adjust with shims until the two shafts align perfectly.

Next install the Woods coupling, pump grease into the fittings. There are typically two grease fittings on motors, and one or two on a bearing assembly. Finally, run the pump and observe the noise and feel for vibrations. Readjust if needed. I have seen couplings last over ten years.

EBEBRATT-Ed

A hacksaw blade makes a good straight edge. Hold a piece of white paper or a light behind what you sight through will make it clearer.

Shims are tricky you get it lined up and it looks ok you tighten the bolts and it changes. It is finicky

pecmsg

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/201415/woods-style-pump-coupler

unless you have the tools and training it’s best to hire an alinement contractor.

Pumpguy

The Woods type of couplings I'm familiar with are primarily a sliding insert type which are less forgiving to misalignment than those that have a flex only type element. The Woods is a combination of a sliding and flex element type.

The most common sliding type insert type is the Lovejoy jaw type coupling. A Dodge Parallax is a flex type, essentially a rubber tire clamped between flanges. These are my favorites.

Before you start, you want to be sure you don't have a soft foot. You want to be sure the motor is sitting solidly at all 4 mounting points.

When aligning a coupling, you want to do it in angular and parallel planes.

First step is to get the vertical angular alignment. This is done with changes to shimming at the back and front of the motor. Check the clearances between the top and bottom of the coupling hubs first. If you're good with numbers, you can measure the differences at the hub diameters and motor hold down bolts and then calculate the difference in shim thickness. I just usually adjust and try until I get it close.

Once the hub clearances are the same at 6 and 12 o'clock, we need to set the vertical parallel alignment. For this, we change the shim thickness equally at all 4 hold down bolts. This change raises or lowers the motor without changing the vertical angular alignment.

Once these 2 settings are done, we move on to the horizontal. Fortunately, this doesn't call for any shim changes, so just tap the motor side to side, front and/or back end until the hubs have the same horizontal clearance at 3 and 9 o'clock.

Dial indicators are very helpful for this operation. Problem is you need to clamp the indicator on one shaft and have the probe touch the coupling hub on the opposite shaft. Its not always easy to come up with the hardware needed for this set up.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Don't they do it with lasers now as well?

Big Ed_4

It will come down sight and feel with a possible adjustment .. Feel the coupling as you "Hand" spin the shaft if misaligned you will know ..

Hope this helps..

Pumpguy

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1855617#Comment_1855617

Maybe, maybe not……. Last time I did it that way everything felt okay, but the coupling didn't compensate for all the misalignment and the stresses eventually caused a broken motor shaft. Admittedly, the motor had a very small diameter, maybe 5/8" or 3/4".

And yes, lasers are now used in coupling alignment, although I've never seen or done it that way.

Big Ed_4

Thinking when the "average" tech needs to align shafts with adjustments , I am assuming the tech would be working on a small pump set .

If out of alignment the coupling will bow . With the plastic slip type , the coupling will pull out of the end caps and you rotate . The hard rubber allen key type you keep one end loose and feel the resistance ..

Most jobs all you need is a fine tuning .. Replacing a non OMC motor could be another story…

Intplm.

It is best to align it as many have specified above. After it is aligned, it is a good idea to have /do a vibration analysis, as mentioned above. This can help to ensure the best performance possible, especially if you are worried about pump and/or motor damage.

You can use something like this device called "Smart Trac" that you can track on your phone, or there are more conventional ways of doing it.