Crane LMI Water Damage
Simple Steps to Prevent Down Time
This step first appeared in the December 2010 Issue of Crane Hot Line Magazine where Bode Technical Services published an article on water protection for crane owners for crane repair:
Much like the beads of water on an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day, condensation can occur in your crane’s electronics when air comes in contact with a cold surface. We see this often in cooler climates where cranes are garaged in warm buildings during the night. This effect can cause major crane lmi water damage. Electronics are typically housed in metal enclosures designed to provide protection from minor impacts and the elements. Crane Repair. However when these enclosures fail to seal correctly (detailed later) significant moisture build up can occur. In most cases this results from a day-night cycle where significant temperature differences are present. For example, a crane is stored inside at night and warm air slowly leaks into an enclosure. In the morning the crane drives out for a job, the metal parts of the enclosure quickly cool, and the warm air can not escape fast enough. Much like the condensation on the drink in summer, moisture forms on the cool metal parts. Unfortunately this forms on the inside of the enclosure where all the sensitive electronics are. This cycle repeats every morning and soon the moisture accumulates into small droplets and eventually larger puddles inside the enclosure. Crane Repair. Naturally this can create a whole array of erratic electronic behavior. Crane Repair
Our Recommendation: Check your enclosures. Are lids solid or do they rattle loosely? Are strain reliefs sealing or is there a visible gap? Are there tell tale rust or water spots near enclosures? Remember the condensation effect does not occur in fully sealed enclosures. Consider utilizing a one way moisture relief valve. Crane Reapir
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When moisture accumulates between the PCB coating and the eprom chip, it shorts out the legs, causing circuit malfunction and component failure.
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Bode Technical Services specializes in crane repair on Terex Cranes, Demag Cranes, Grove Cranes, Liebherr Cranes, and Krupp cranes. Beyond crane repair, Bode Technical Services also utilizes a global network of crane parts suppliers including PAT-Hirschmann, Load Systems International, Terex-Demag, Grove, and Greer to supply fast, cost-effective crane parts. Crane Repair
