I am wondering if anyone in the forum is involved in the analysis of reciprocating engines and compressors. This requires the use of specialized equipment such as the Windrock 6310PA. I'd sure like to compare notes with anyone involved. I'm thinking of Waukesha 5790, 7042 and Cat engines primarily fueled by natural gas.

These machines generate torsional vibrations.
Therefore I use a FM demodulator based on an electronic PLL circuit.
As input for this circuit I use the output of a magnetic speed sensor often readily available on diesel and gas engines.
The output of this circuit is fed into a spectrum analyser.
This is low-cost home-made yet very effective for diagnosis of torsional vibrations of rotating components!
I had to design and make it myself as the market does not provide such a simple diagnostic tool.

Yes I do this kind of work... Mostly Cat engines, but the occasional Waukesha...

Lots of Ariel compressors but also Dresser, and Thomasson...

We use the Dynalco 9260 to analyze reciprocating engines and compressors, mostly Waukesha 7042, The dynalco will hook up to a one time pickup to get the RPM/TDC signal, Also it uses pressure tranducers to collect pressure data from the compressor cylinders to calculate horsepower and show pressure traces, the Windrock 6310 does the same thing

Dave, I use the mag pick for a once per turn pulse also. But, I would much prefer using the encoder especially with some engines that surge a bit. Problem is finding a spot from which to drive the encoder. Do you find the once per turn pulse sufficient for accuracy when checking a valve set for example? I see a lot of 7042's and 5790's myself (same block, different bore).

Yvan,

What would you like to know about recips? I currently work for Windrock, (now a part of Dover's Gas Equipment Group).

I'd be happy to help you in any way that I can.

Best regards,

Buddy Lee
Regional Sales Manager
Windrock, Inc.

865-388-3802 Cell