Comparing roller chain oils
Comparing roller chain oils
(OP)
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone knows an effective method of comparing the effectiveness of roller chain oil lubricants. A vendor told me that I should use a data logger to collect the amp readings of the chain drive motor for about a month using Oil "A" and then collect the data for one month using oil "B" and compare amperage readings. Would this be a effective way of comparing oils?
Thanks,
Jorge
I was wondering if anyone knows an effective method of comparing the effectiveness of roller chain oil lubricants. A vendor told me that I should use a data logger to collect the amp readings of the chain drive motor for about a month using Oil "A" and then collect the data for one month using oil "B" and compare amperage readings. Would this be a effective way of comparing oils?
Thanks,
Jorge





RE: Comparing roller chain oils
Is the roller chain operating at a high-speed, low-torque or a low-speed, high-torque? I don't think you will notice as much difference due to the effects of lubricating oil for a low-speed, high-torque regime compared to a high-speed, low-torque regime.
If your drive and plc are currently capable of logging this info it might not take that much effort. If you have to buy equipment and a data logger, then I would analyze the situation before spending money.
RE: Comparing roller chain oils
Russell Giuliano
RE: Comparing roller chain oils
effectiveness at what? Reducing friction? Preventing wear? Looks like you have a couple of useful suggestions above, depending on what you're hoping to accomplish. In addition to chain stretch, you could look at the rate at which wear materials accumulate in the oil vs time, or you could take and compare profilometer traces before and after say 100hrs, 250hrs, and 500hrs running (at a particular link).