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Post by tkrueger3 on May 14, 2009 10:32:37 GMT -5
:help: I have a recently-acquired (not new except to me) AR2. I'm turning 2 barrels, one that's about 5/8 full with 60/90 grit and rough agate, the other about 5/8 full with medium grit and smaller quartz. My problem is - after a day or so of running, one or the other of the barrels will ride up over the "keeper" wheel on one end or the other of the idler bar. Subsequently, since that barrel then stops turning, but still has one end resting on the idler, the increased friction overheats the motor, and the motor's overload kicks in.
Could it be that this tumbler simply won't run unattended unless it is PERFECTLY level? I'm not sure I have a surface in my garage that is sufficiently level to produce that degree of level-ness. I've replaced both axles on the tumbler, as well as the drive belt, and have thoroughly cleaned and correctly lubed everything.
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wildoaks
starting to shine!
Member since November 2008
Posts: 31 
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Post by wildoaks on May 14, 2009 19:32:38 GMT -5
I have an AR2 also and the barrels can drift. I'm not convinced being perfectly level solves the problem. I think it also has to do with the shape of the flexible barrels and their load. It helps to keep both loaded, even with just water if your only using one. Try removing 1 barrel to see which way the remaining one drifts. You can then turn one or both around so that they tend to drift into each other rather than ride up the keeper. Try to keep keepers and barrels clean to eliminate friction.
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Post by 150FromFundy on May 14, 2009 19:43:55 GMT -5
I have had my barrels drift and thermally shut down my A-R2 twice when it was newer. I don't think being perfectly level is the issue either. I run mine on a folded beach towel to cushion the vibration and keep the noise down. Not exactly a level surface.
Make sure your rubber rollers and your barrel rims are clean and soft. If the rubber has formed a glossy sheen, give them a light rub with fine sandpaper to freshen the surface.
Over time, my rollers are becoming dished to the shape of the barrel rims. One the ruts have formed, they tend to keep the barrels on track, so to speak. This will eventually occur, and the only thing you will have to worry about is a barrel popping a lid.
If your not already doing this, make sure both lids face each other when tumbling.
150FromFundy
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Post by tkrueger3 on May 14, 2009 22:40:55 GMT -5
Thanks, folks. The tumbler itself is not new - I'd guess several years old. When I got it, the 2 axles' bearings were quite loose and wobbly, but also like they were running on a sandpaper shaft, so I ordered new ones. I just had put the new ones on, with a new drive belt, and had removed and cleaned the motor and reinstalled it, and started the latest 2 loads when the most recent accident of this sort happened. I have now sort of levelled the tumbler, at least to its own liking, by putting it on a towel, with several sheets of excess sandpaper under, and a small screwdriver wedged under one front edge. By moving the screwdriver in and out (thus slightly tilting the tumbler to left or right), and observing the barrels, I have managed to obtain a sort of equilibrium, wherein the barrels tend to stay in the middle rather than wandering to one side or the other. Thanks for the advice about facing the lids - I'm doing that, for sure.
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sgemmett
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2009
Posts: 24
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Post by sgemmett on May 15, 2009 10:42:20 GMT -5
Can you send a picture? Something sounds amiss. I purposely angle my AR2 to keep a single barrel to one side if I remove one to clean/recharge. There is a wheel on each end of the idler shaft which keep the barrels in the middle. Are you saying the barrel is riding up over these? A slight angle should not make any difference, if it is actaully ridding up over these wheels they would have to be very loose, maybe missing a c-clip.
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Post by johnjsgems on May 16, 2009 7:32:52 GMT -5
I think you need more load. Load to 3/4 full in each barrel. If you put the barrels on empty this riding up is common. If you don't have enough rock use a filler to bring up to 3/4 (ceramic media, pea gravel, small rock chips, etc.).
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Post by tkrueger3 on May 20, 2009 23:06:02 GMT -5
I finally got it to work right without intervention. Loaded both barrels to about the same weight, placed them on the axles with the lids facing each other, then turned it on. Used a small screwdriver wedged under one end of the front of the base and moved it in and out till I found the point at which the barrels stay centered and don't touch either of the keeper wheels. Yes, the barrel was climbing up over the keeper wheel. My suspicion is that with the lids turned away from each other, the one that went to the keeper wheel was riding up on the "rubber band" lid ring. At least that's what I think. All is well now, though, and I dobee happyer'n a pig in slop.
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