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ECN7697 Drawn: February 26, 1999

Customer Technical Bulletin No. 51

CHAIN ADJUSTMENT & CHAIN REPLACEMENT

General

This bulletin provides chain adjustment procedures and chain replacement guidelines
for each model of Ariel Reciprocating Compressor. The chain drive system is
crankshaft-driven at the auxiliary end of the frame. Depending upon the compressor
model, one or two chains drive the lube oil pump and force feed lubricator. Chain
tightness is controlled by an idler sprocket(s) attached to the eccentric adjustment
cap(s). The chain dips into the crankcase oil and, as a result, is constantly lubricated (in
the case of the two-chain configuration, the splash action of the lube oil chain provides
lubrication for the force feed lubricator chain).

A typical one-chain drive system is illustrated in Figure 1. This configuration is used for
the following compressor models:

JGM, JGN, JGQ, JGP & JGI

JG & JGA
JGW, JGR & JGJ
JGH/2/4 & JGE/2/4
JGK/2/4 & JGT/2/4
JGC & JGD

Figure 1: Typical
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Customer Technical Bulletin No. 51

A typical two-chain drive system is illustrated in Figure 2. This configuration is used for
the following compressor models:

JGE/6
JGK/6 & JGT/6
JGB & JGV

Figure 2: Typical

NOTE: FOR PROPER CHAIN DRIVE OPERATION AND COMPONENT LIFE, IT IS

ESSENTIAL THAT THE FOLLOWING CHAIN-ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES AND
TOLERANCES BE USED.

Chain Adjustment: One-Chain Configuration

The following procedures should be used to adjust the chain for all one-chain
configurations:

1. Roll the machine to the tightest position of the chain. This prevents snugging
up on the chain at a slack position and breaking rollers or ruining the pump
and lubricator bearings when the chain goes through its tightest position.
2. Remove the capscrews and plugs from the eccentric adjustment cap. Rotate
the cap to line up two new capscrew holes to provide proper tightness. The
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Customer Technical Bulletin No. 51

number of capscrews and plugs and the amount of rotation for each
compressor series are shown in table1:

Table 1
Number of Rotation
Compressor Series Number of Plugs
Capscrews (in Degrees)
JGM, JGN, JGQ, JGP, JGI 2 8 6
JG, JGA 2 8 6
JGW, JGR, JGJ 2 8 6
JGH, JGE, JGK, JGT 2 8 6
JGC, JGD 4 12 3
JGB, JGV 4 16 3

3. If this makes the chain too tight, try turning the cap around in the opposite
direction for a different hole lineup.
4. Tighten the capscrews to the recommended torque, as shown in the Ariel
Technical Manual or toolbox torque charts, and roll the machine to check the
tightness in a number of positions. At its tightest position, the chain should be
adjusted so that the deflection on the most accessible span is within the chain
deflection limits shown in Table 2. The deflection is measured in one direction
from a straight edge held on the chain wrapped over the two sprockets. The
allowable deflection is measured at the center of the span, while a force of 2
to 10 lb (9 to 45 N) finger-pressure is applied to the chain.

NOTE: COMPRESSORS MAY BE ORDERED FROM THE FACTORY TO OPERATE

IN EITHER STANDARD OR REVERSE ROTATION. IT IS IMPORTANT TO IDENTIFY
THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION, FOR SOME MODELS, TO DETERMINE
DEFLECTION LIMITS (SEE TABLE 2). LOOK FOR THE ROTATION ARROW ON
THE COMPRESSOR. STANDARD ROTATION IS CLOCKWISE, WHEN FACING THE
COMPRESSOR AT THE DRIVE END (I.E. STANDING AT THE COUPLING), AND
REVERSE ROTATION IS COUNTERCLOCKWISE.

NOTE: DEFLECTION LIMITS ARE CALCULATED AS 0.0075 TO 0.0125 (0.75 TO

1.25 %) OF SPAN.
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Table 2
Deflection Limits
Compressor Model Force Feed Lubricator to
Idler, Inches (mm)
JGM, JGN, JGQ, JGP, JGI 0.04 to 0.06 (1.0 to 1.5)
JG/2/4, JGA/2/4 0.05 to 0.08 (1.3 to 2.0)
JGA/6 0.03 to 0.05 (0.8 to 1.3)
JGW/2, JGR/2, JGJ/2, JGW/4, JGR/4, JGJ/4 0.07 to 0.11 (1.8 to 2.8)
JGJ/6 0.05 to 0.09 (1.2 to 2.3)
JGH/2/4, JGE/2/4, JGK/2/4, JGT/2/4 Standard Rotation 0.06 to 0.10 (1.5 to 2.5)
JGH/2/4, JGE/2/4, JGK/2/4, JGT/2/4 Reverse Rotation 0.07 to 0.11 (1.8 to 2.8)
JGC/2, JGD/2, JGC/4, JGD/4 0.10 to 0.17 (2.5 to 4.3)
JGC/6, JGD/6 0.10 to 0.16 (2.5 to 4.1)
JGC/6, JGD/6 Reverse Rotation and
0.11 to 0.18 (2.8 to 4.6)
With External Thrust Bearing

5. Replace the plugs in the eccentric adjustment cap to keep dirt out of the
unused holes in the end cover.

Chain Adjustment - Two-Chain Configuration

The following procedures should be used for adjustment of the chains on all two-chain
configurations:

1. Roll the machine to the tightest position of the chain to be adjusted. This
prevents snugging up on the chain at a slack position and breaking rollers or
ruining the pump or lubricator bearings when the chain goes thru its tightest
position.
2. Remove the capscrews and plugs from the eccentric cap of the chain to be
adjusted. Rotate the cap clockwise, when facing the cap from outside, to line
up the two new capscrew holes. The number of capscrews and plugs and the
amount of rotation for each compressor series are shown in Table 1 above.
3. If this makes the chain too tight, try turning the cap around in a
counterclockwise direction for a different hole lineup.
4. Tighten the capscrews to the recommended torque, as shown in the Ariel
Technical Manual or toolbox torque charts, and roll the machine to check the
tightness in a number of positions. At its tightest position, the chain should be
adjusted so that the deflection from a straight line is within the chain
deflection limits shown in Table 3 between the idler and the force feed
lubricator sprockets and also between the crankshaft and idler or lube oil
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Customer Technical Bulletin No. 51

pump sprockets. The deflection is measured in one direction from a straight
edge held on the chain wrapped over the two sprockets. The allowable
deflection is measured at the center of the span, while a force of 2 to 10 lb (9
to 45 N) finger-pressure is applied to the chain.

NOTE: COMPRESSORS MAY BE ORDERED FROM THE FACTORY TO OPERATE

IN EITHER STANDARD OR REVERSE ROTATION. IT IS IMPORTANT TO IDENTIFY
THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION TO DETERMINE DEFLECTION LIMITS (SEE
TABLE 3). LOOK FOR THE ROTATION ARROW ON THE COMPRESSOR.
STANDARD ROTATION IS CLOCKWISE, WHEN FACING THE COMPRESSOR AT
THE DRIVE END (I.E. STANDING AT THE COUPLING) AND REVERSE ROTATION
IS COUNTERCLOCKWISE.

NOTE: DEFLECTION LIMITS ARE CALCULATED AS 0.0075 TO 0.0125 (0.75 TO

1.25 %) OF SPAN.

Table 3
Deflection Limits
Force Feed Lubricator Lube Oil Pump or Idler
Compressor Model
to Idler in. (mm) to Crankshaft in. (mm)
JGE/6 Standard Rotation 0.02 to 0.04 (0.5 to 1.0) 0.03 to 0.06 (0.8 to 1.5)
JGE/6 Reverse Rotation 0.03 to 0.05 (0.8 to 1.3) 0.04 to 0.07 (1.0 to 1.8)
JGK/6 & JGT/6
0.02 to 0.04 (0.5 to 1.0) 0.03 to 0.06 (0.8 to 1.5)
Standard Rotation
JGK/6 & JGT/6
0.03 to 0.05 (0.8 to 1.3) 0.04 to 0.07 (1.0 to 1.8)
Reverse Rotation
JGB/4/6 & JGV/4/6
0.11 to 0.18 (2.8 to 4.6) 0.08 to 0.13 (2.0 to 3.3)
Standard Rotation
JGB/4/6 & JGV/4/6
0.10 to 0.18 (2.5 to 4.6) 0.09 to 0.16 (2.3 to 4.1)
Reverse Rotation

5. Replace the plugs in the eccentric adjustment cap to keep dirt out of the
unused holes in the end cover.
6. Repeat this procedure for the second eccentric cap.
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Customer Technical Bulletin No. 51

Chain Replacement

The chain(s) should be replaced if the elongation exceeds 0.084 inches (2.13 mm) over
a 10-pitch length. The section of chain to be measured should be stretched tight, in
place, in the compressor and measured with vernier calipers. A reading made outside of
the rollers at 10 pitches should be added to a reading between the inside of the same
rollers and then be divided by two. If this calculation exceeds the elongation limit given
in Table 4, the chain should be replaced.

Table 4
Compressor Series Chain Pitch Maximum Elongation Limit
JGM, JGN, JGQ, JGP, JGI 3/8 3.834 inches (97.38 mm)
JG, JGA 3/8 3.834 inches (97.38 mm)
JGW, JGR, JGJ 1/2 5.084 inches (129.1 mm)
JGH, JGE, JGK, JGT 1/2 5.084 inches (129.1 mm)
JGC, JGD 1/2 5.084 inches (129.1 mm)
JGB, JGV 5/8 6.334 inches (160.9 mm)

Additional information is available in the Ariel Technical Manuals. If further assistance is

required, please contact Ariel Field Service at telephone numbers 740-397-0311 or 740-
393-5052 or fax number 740-397-3856.