So… This week I learned that gaskets and o rings do not last thirty five years. I came to this conclusion when we made it to Moses Lake (I know real far right) and we were leaking fluid from everywhere it seemed. I managed to drop out the transmission and replace all of the seals and o rings minus the front seal (I didn’t have the tool but someone else did) and the pressure plate gasket (because that would have required taking the whole thing apart). I also managed to (with help and much advice and research) remove and replace the rear main seal in the engine. This required two full days of fenagleing. I tried pounding it but it compressed against itself. I tried threading a screw into it and using a pry bar to pull it out which cause it to pull irritatingly small pieces out. I even got the damned tool for the damned thing for 60$…. So I had to drop the crank shaft down a quarter of an inch by slightly loosening the housing then I used a 3/8 ths aluminum rod and was able to pound it out. Now after an 8 hour day the transmission is back in place and it can be started tomorrow hopefully after I get all the attachments connected to it.

Hours this week: 50 h (I’m also sick)

Hours total: 133 h

This week I learned that just because a vehicle runs okay doesn't mean that there aren't any other MAJOR issues. I properly packed and seated my bearings and changed my belts. I tried to bleed the brakes for the third or fourth time and they rotted in on themselves and I learned how to use a pipe bender in order to not pinch your pipe. I learned how to wire in a trailer connection. I learned to not trust the idiots at the part store to get you the right part. I learned how to replace the fluid in a differential. I learned what a bad brake pad can do to a rotor. I learner how to replace a distributor cap and distributor cap rotor and how to find a firing sequence if you mess it up ( I needed a little instruction with this one). I also have several pictures which I will be posting as soon as i get a key board replacement (I also learned that if you water a computer it does not grow.(this one was the most disappointing of my lessons.))

Time this week: 61 h
Time total: 83 h

 whoo they are working now

 some one removed the positive line on both reverse lights so i rewired them

all custom interior everything was beyond nasty

its funny what a little TLC can do

For my internship this winter I am going to Tennessee to lead a green energy project on a beginning farm just outside of Nashville. This week I have focused all of my time on two main things; finishing the few things left to take care of before I can hit the road and learning as much as I can on how to design a hydro electric system for my particular geographical location.

Through my studies I have learned the particular wheel design I would like to go with. Because of the geography I believe the Pelton wheel is going to be the most efficient for the situation but I'm still torn between the Fransis turbine but i guess i need to get there to really figure it out. And because of its design it is more cost effective and time wise for me to purchase the wheel. I generally understand the design for the kinetic to mechanical energy and then the conversion to electrical but I cannot determine any of the exact components until I know what the head and flow rate of the river is. There was a very helpful video I found that shows you how to increase the output of an alternator using magnets which is a technique I might be interested in using again depending on the situation.

Three main types of hydro turbines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0BLOKEZ3KU

Power calculations and similar design http://www.pumpfundamentals.com/micro-hydro.htm

Buyers guide http://www.homepower.com/articles/microhydro-power/equipment-products/hydro-electric-turbine-buyers-guide

*Make Your Own Stand Alone Eco Electric Energy System*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo710lymAmg

My new favorite web site http://www.greenjk-solar-guide.com/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&Itemid=188

This week I have been hearing an abnormality coming from my cars engine every time I start the engine and just about every time I press on the gas pedal when I am in 3^rd gear or below… I have talked to two family members who are mechanics and ever one including myself thought it resembled a loose or broken engine mount. I popped the hood and caused the problem and watched and the noise is a sort bouncing going on, something you would think you would see if the engine mount was busted and sure enough I found a loose bolt on the transmission mount. I tightened it and started it up and the problem was still there. I have been looking online for answers. Until next week I guess.

Hours this week: 23

Hours total: 23

This week I had the opportunity to see in person how an ABS works on a freightliner truck after I took apart an actuating valve last week and this week I took apart a differential. Inside was a spiral bevel gear set according to my text book I also looked up what a power divider does; it divides torque between the two drive axles and provides differential action between the two drive axles.

 On that same truck I attempted to align for our school project but I realized after I had been cranking on the tie rod that it had not been touched since it had came out of the factory and since I was not being paid I decided it best to work on and easier truck. For this project we used an interesting method with two straight edges on fish hooks (fabricated tools), a piece of string and two measuring tapes. This method was fast and simple and very accurate.

 I also used a magnetic drill to drill a hole in the side of a steel frame within an eighth of an inch and I inspected an Alison transmission and made it work using the air hose I have a quick video of this I hope I can post without technological issues. Jeff our instructor also had us inspect another transmission with 6 speeds forward and one reverse. I have a video but i don't think I'll be able to post it along with half the pictures i have taken because of some technical difficulty.

 This week I have been reading  for a lot of my school time, I obtained; The Handbook For Renewable Energy Technology, Electric Power Generation, The Physics of Free Power Generation,  

The Homeowners Guide to Power Generation, Catalytic Micro Reactors, Home-Skills Wiring And Residential Wiring the  17^th edition.  There isn’t too much dire information in the beginning parts of the books I have started; just basics like the efficiency of battery storage vs. other sorts of storage I didn't even know existed such as water storage being used as energy storage, pumping water up a tower can be as much as 80% efficient. I also learned about the two designs for a micro hydro system the completely submerged one and the water wheel type, and the basic anatomy of the system itself. These books have really got the cogs turning as far as designing my micro hydro system. I am very excited to start building.

Hours this week: 30

Hours total:

This week I learned how to adjust the alignment on a Freightliner truck as seen here

We watched an instructional video

 were a man used a very simple method with a few simple tools. First we set the toe in on the steering axle 1/16 of an inch. To do this we used a fabricated tool as seen here:

Hours this week: 13 1/2
Hours total: 177 1/2

This is the week before last when I failed to post pictures of the 10 wheel end disassemble assignments.

This week I completed an assignment on control modulating valves. I choose to study the one on the freightliner in our shop. I found the valve, found the part number (550414), found the service information and dissembled it.  

 I had a hard time with one of the screws, I was proud of how mangled it was when i got that sucker out.

a control modulating valve applies the spring brakes gradually, so you can control the spring brakes if the service brakes fail. 

 

This is the break canister I took apart last week, as explained in previous blog.