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Serious question, my foreman told me to always check the governor rope tension first on a noisy traction job.
He said it was a waste of time to start with the motor bearings. I had a call for a loud hum in a 15 story building downtown. I spent two hours on the motor before I finally checked the governor like he said. The rope was way too tight and the noise stopped as soon as I adjusted it. Anyone else get stubborn about a piece of advice that turned out to be right?
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wilson.anna1mo ago
That governor rope advice is solid gold. Seen it on old Otis units where a tight rope makes the whole car hum like a transformer. It's one of those things you learn the hard way after wasting a morning on motor mounts or bearings. Now it's the first thing I check on any traction car with a weird vibration. Saves so much time.
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masonb421mo ago
Exactly right, @wilson.anna. I learned that lesson on a Dover unit making a low rumble that you could feel in the floor. I was sure it was a bearing issue and almost called for a replacement. Then an old timer came by, watched it run once, and just pointed at the governor rope. It was so tight it was singing. Loosened it up and the noise was gone in two minutes. Now it's my first move too, before I even open a tool bag.
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emery_murray1mo ago
Yeah, I was totally in the "gotta be the motor" camp for the longest time. Figured the governor rope was too simple, like it couldn't possibly cause that big of a noise. Had the same thing happen on a job last year, spent forever on bearings before I gave in and checked the rope. Slack was way off. Felt like a real idiot, but it sure taught me to listen to the old guys. That basic check saves so much headache.
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