Testing Spheres

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womble3go
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Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:24 pm
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Testing Spheres

Post by womble3go »

Hi Guys,

Is there any way of testing Spheres with out putting them on the car? I do have spare front and rear rams that could be used?

Thank you for any help.

Kevin.
thorter
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Joined: Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:18 pm
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
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Re: Testing Spheres

Post by thorter »

Here are a couple of easy ways to make a sphere tester using a rear suspension cylinder/piston, and a pressure gauge. Best not an estate cylinder as this will increase the force needed. The high pressure gauge from an oxygen regulator may be suitable.

The pressure gauge needs to be connected to the cylinder inlet. You can use a length of 3.5mm pipe, and silver solder on the gauge fitting. Needs to be leak free at 60 bar.

The first method needs a large wood vice.
The attachment SphereTest1.JPG is no longer available
With the cylinder upright and the piston most of the way out, fill with LHM to the bottom of the thread. Screw on the sphere, transfer the assembly to the vice with a strong support spacer like an old ball race outer. Tighten vice, and the pressure rises rapidly, then stabilises when the fill pressure is reached.

You really need to retract the piston to where it started before undoing the sphere or you may get an LHM shower!
SphereTest1.JPG
A portable tester can be made like the one in the second picture. A large bolt, typically M16, is needed to compress the cylinder. The housing can be made from an empty MIG cylinder with an M16 nut welding in. The whole thing needs to be strong enough for up to a ton force. Again, to get the LHM drawn down when unscrewing, it is best to retract the piston using a spring etc.

Fit a base so that the unit can stand upright, then you have a portable tester that can be used in a scrap yard! Also a good idea to have a sealing cap made from the base of an old sphere so that it can be stored full of clean LHM ready for use. Use moly-grease on the thread to reduce friction

In use, standing on the base to keep it stationary, the sphere and cylinder can be rotated using both hands. It is fairly but not excessively stiff.

Fred
thorter
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Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
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Re: Testing Spheres

Post by thorter »

Second picture die not make it (OK in preview).
Attachments
SphereTest2.JPG
womble3go
Confirmed BX'er
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Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:24 pm
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Re: Testing Spheres

Post by womble3go »

Thank you for that pic say a thousand words,

What sort of pressure should they sit at I front and back and regulator my car is an estate?

Kevin.
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