Commutator And Brush Maintenance; Cooling System; Fuel Pre-Filter/Water Separator Assembly - Lincoln Electric SAE-400 Operator's Manual

SAE-400
®

Commutator and Brush Maintenance

WARNING
Uncovered rotating equipment can be dangerous. Use care
so your hands, hair, clothing or tools do not catch in the
rotating parts. Protect yourself from particles that may be
thrown out by the rotating armature when stoning the
commutator.
The generator brushes are properly adjusted when the welder is
shipped. They require no particular attention. DO NOT SHIFT THE
BRUSHES or adjust the rocker setting.
Shifting of the brushes may result in:
- Change in machine output
- Commutator Damage
- Excessive brush wear
Periodically inspect the commutator, slip rings and brushes by
removing the covers. DO NOT remove or replace these covers
while the machine is running.
Commutators and slip rings require little attention. However, if
they are black or appear uneven, have them cleaned by an
experienced maintenance person using fine sandpaper or a
commutator stone. Never use emery cloth or paper for this
purpose.
NOTE: If the welder is used in dirty or dusty locations, or if the
welder is not used for prolonged periods of time, it may be
necessary to clean the commutator and slip rings more often.
Replace brushes when they wear within 1/4" of the pigtail. A
complete set of replacement brushes should be kept on hand.
Lincoln brushes have a curved face to fit the commutator. Have an
experienced maintenance person seat these brushes by lightly
stoning the commutator as the armature rotates at full speed until
contact is made across the full face of the brushes. After stoning,
blow out the dust with low pressure air.
To seat the slip ring brushes, position the brushes in place. Then
slide one end of a piece of fine sandpaper between slip rings and
brushes with the coarse side against the brushes. With slight
additional finger pressure on top of the brushes, pull the
sandpaper around the circumference of the rings, in direction of
rotation only - until brushes seat properly. In addition, stone slip
ring with a fine stone. Brushes must be seated 100%.
Arcing or excessive exciter brush wear indicates a possible
misaligned shaft. Have an authorized Field Service Shop check
and realign the shaft.

Cooling System

The SAE-400® is equipped with a pressure radiator. Keep the
radiator cap tight to prevent loss of coolant. Clean and flush the
cooling system periodically to prevent clogging the passage and
overheating the engine. When antifreeze is needed, always use
the permanent type.

Fuel Pre-Filter/Water Separator Assembly

WARNING
When working on the fuel system
• Keep unguarded lights away, do not
smoke !
• Do not spill fuel !
The SAE-400® is equipped with a Fuel Pre-Filter/Water Separator
Assembly located before the lift pump mounted to the engine
block.
The assembly uses a 30 micron pre-filter/water separator element
that is designed to protect against gross contamination of the final
fuel filter. Using chemically treated paper media the element also
provides maximum protection against water in the fuel. The
assembly is also equipped with a see-through bowl for easy visual
checking for water. The recommended change interval for the
pre-filter/water separator element is 1,000 hours. See below for
information on the see-through bowl and for the procedure for
changing the element.
See-Through Bowl:
• Check the see-through bowl for water regularly. Water will
collect at the bottom of the bowl and appears different from
the fuel.
Note: The see-through bowl is re-usable.
1. Close the fuel shut-off valve.
2. Drain by opening the self venting drain valve and allowing all
water to escape.
3. Close the drain valve and open the fuel shut-off valve.
Pre-Filter/Water Separator Element:
1. Close the fuel shutoff valve located under the fuel tank.
2. Rotate the quick change ring (located just below filterheader)
clockwise approximately 1/2 turn and slide it down and off of
the element.
3. Grasp the element and pull down with a slight rocking motion
to remove the element from the grommet post on the bottom
of the filter header.
4. Slide the new element onto the grommet post on the bottom
of the filter header until the element no longer easily moves
up into the filter header. Now rotate the element (may take
almost 1 full turn) with a slight upward pressure until the
element begins to further engage the header. With the proper
orientation now established apply additional pressure to seat
the element in the filter header. You should feel the element
"pop" into place when properly seated.
Note: The element will only go on one way. Never use
excessive force when mounting the element to the header.
D-2
MAINTENANCE