Backlash

[RyanN]

Originally Posted by sdcantrell56

It is ok to put in none and then just run them in. At least I'm pretty sure it's ok. It is not the "best" method but it accomplishes the same goal and you don't have to worry about to much backlash and power loss.

With steel, I would say that would be fine, but with aluminum it would wear out fast. Another idea... what about brass bushings.

[Ken Patton]

We have typically used a 0.08 mm increase in gear center distance with our custom-made geartrains. My guess is that this is on the high side compared to some others who make their own boxes, but these are typically wire-edm'd gears whose surface finish is a little rough before run-in. Our gears are not very wide either.

We run them in at no load (i.e., not driving the chassis around, but just running the wheel while it is off the ground) for an hour or so. We have been using the same tube of Amsoil grease (apparently its "racin' grease" ) for several years now....

If I was using purchased, nicely finished, wider gears, I think something in the 0.05 mm range would be my choice for the amount that the center distance is increased.

The looser distances like I am suggesting here make the boxes easier to assemble and get low geartrain friction, in my opinion.

Ken

[JVN]

Originally Posted by Ken Patton

We have typically used a 0.08 mm increase in gear center distance with our custom-made geartrains. My guess is that this is on the high side compared to some others who make their own boxes, but these are typically wire-edm'd gears whose surface finish is a little rough before run-in. Our gears are not very wide either.

We run them in at no load (i.e., not driving the chassis around, but just running the wheel while it is off the ground) for an hour or so. We have been using the same tube of Amsoil grease (apparently its "racin' grease" ) for several years now....

If I was using purchased, nicely finished, wider gears, I think something in the 0.05 mm range would be my choice for the amount that the center distance is increased.

The looser distances like I am suggesting here make the boxes easier to assemble and get low geartrain friction, in my opinion.

Ken

In my opinion, Ken is THE expert on this subject.

I recommend everyone interested in high-efficiency gearboxes takes a close look at the practices he recommends. (You'll also find any other tid-bits of advice you can get out of him to be HUGELY beneficial.)

"Ain't nothing that rings like a Huskie..."

-John

[vivek16]

Originally Posted by Ken Patton

We have typically used a 0.08 mm increase in gear center distance with our custom-made geartrains. My guess is that this is on the high side compared to some others who make their own boxes, but these are typically wire-edm'd gears whose surface finish is a little rough before run-in. Our gears are not very wide either.

We run them in at no load (i.e., not driving the chassis around, but just running the wheel while it is off the ground) for an hour or so. We have been using the same tube of Amsoil grease (apparently its "racin' grease" ) for several years now....

If I was using purchased, nicely finished, wider gears, I think something in the 0.05 mm range would be my choice for the amount that the center distance is increased.

The looser distances like I am suggesting here make the boxes easier to assemble and get low geartrain friction, in my opinion.

Ken

So if I were to put two gears right next to each other, I would put a distance of .002" between them or .004"? .002"=~.05 mm

thanks, Vivek

[kramarczyk]

Originally Posted by vivek16

So if I were to put two gears right next to each other, I would put a distance of .002" between them or .004"? .002"=~.05 mm

thanks, Vivek

.002"
Ken is referrring to the center to center distance.

<edit>Baker recommends the same in this blast from the past... http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...0&postcount=11 </edit>

[Ken Patton]

Originally Posted by kramarczyk

.002"
Ken is referrring to the center to center distance.

Yup. Mark has it right, as usual