Mixed fortunes have been experienced with the exhauster overhaul! On Saturday, the stored set of batteries was moved into the shed and with one cell less than the normal quota of 48 in circuit (see D1010 report) these were used to power the exhauster for testing purposes. The motor performed exceptionally well with perfectly clean commutation apparent. However, the exhauster would not produce any appreciable amount of vacuum and even allowing for the lower supply voltage, it was obvious there was a problem. The most likely cause was considered to be sticking blades which it had been hoped would sort themselves out once some centrifugal force was applied.
So unfortunately, on Sunday the exhauster had to be stripped down again to allow removal of the end bearing plate for access to the blade chamber. I predicted this was going to be an absolute b*****d of a job having had previous experience of stripping Reavell Rotary Exhausters and was not disappointed! But at length, the bearing plate was removed and each of the four blades was taken from the rotor cleaned, and checked for freeness in the slots.
At least two of them seemed to be rather "sticky".
The bearing plate was then re-fitted and it is hoped to fully re-assemble the exhauster next Saturday and try again.
This is doubly frustrating as the No.2 exhauster on the loco worked perfectly first time without needing any attention when it was tested a couple of years ago!
Work continues apace at Cranmore. A picture has appeared on the Preserved Diesels website on:
http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/2010b/33057_4.htm
This makes an interesting comparison with the similar view taken by Clive last Sunday that appeared on this (DEPG) website and clearly shows the rate of progress.