Endurance E3120

[unczbobz]

Hello as a lot of you will know these turbine having many issues and there are different upgrades that solves these issue to a degree, but I think that you the farmers need be aware of the following issue mainly being seen on 36m towers

the door frames are cracking in the tower, half way up the frames due to stress and vibration, it’s not the best of news I know, and I am ware a lot of OEM companies are aware of this, however if yours does have a this crack happening, it needs to be welded correctly and UT tested before the crack goes through the frame and onto tower. If the crack hits the tower the two he turbine is not safe to run and would highly advise to avoid being near the turbine untilrepairs are in place to stabilise the crack for replacement towers

as far as I am aware there only two companies able to obtain these sections

1 is Natural Generation
2 is Brit Wind

1 Brit wind do however have a solution for this issue to strengthen the door frame which canonly be done by themselves as it is kept private

the are other companies working on different solution for this as well

I have attached images of how bad these cracks get to and what a typical weld repair will look like

also X27 & 29etc owners if you had new gearboxes within last two years be warned as these are failing again on main bearing not being man enough for the job, if your head is already down then you can get that bearing changed at same time during refurb for a updated bearing which will be more durable for that task

 

[unczbobz]

Pics

 

[Princess Pooper]

Hello as a lot of you will know these turbine having many issues and there are different upgrades that solves these issue to a degree, but I think that you the farmers need be aware of the following issue mainly being seen on 36m towers

the door frames are cracking in the tower, half way up the frames due to stress and vibration, it’s not the best of news I know, and I am ware a lot of OEM companies are aware of this, however if yours does have a this crack happening, it needs to be welded correctly and UT tested before the crack goes through the frame and onto tower. If the crack hits the tower the two he turbine is not safe to run and would highly advise to avoid being near the turbine untilrepairs are in place to stabilise the crack for replacement towers

as far as I am aware there only two companies able to obtain these sections

1 is Natural Generation
2 is Brit Wind

1 Brit wind do however have a solution for this issue to strengthen the door frame which canonly be done by themselves as it is kept private

the are other companies working on different solution for this as well

I have attached images of how bad these cracks get to and what a typical weld repair will look like

also X27 & 29etc owners if you had new gearboxes within last two years be warned as these are failing again on main bearing not being man enough for the job, if your head is already down then you can get that bearing changed at same time during refurb for a updated bearing which will be more durable for that task

Can you clarify do you mean 36m tower to 46m blade tip height or 26m tower to 36m blade tip? (I assume the former, but wish to check), thanks.

 

[unczbobz]

I can confirm 36m tower height

 

[Colin Lockwood]

All guys

There are other companies that complete this work. WindCare have completed plenty of these upgrades and provide competitive O&M service and Maintenance works on hundreds of turbines across the country. 01751472595. www.windcare.co.uk

 

[pk999]

Hi, am a new member of the forum.

Re the cracking to the 36m tower:

I have an E3120 on 36m tower, on an inland, mid wind speed location (5.5m/s), in Devon. Installed in March 2013. Flat root blades. Present Service Company Britwind. My turbine is currently out of service (2 months so far), awaiting a replacement bedplate - due to cracking. To be fair - part of this delay has been caused due to the need to obtain additional finance, prior to being able to commit to carry out the repairs. But even if sufficient cash had been available, Britwind were quoting a start of replacement slot in November/December. With return to operational status in January.

So far, I have seen no similar cracking (touch wood) at the tower access door, but have been informed that it is likely to occur on any 36m tower, even with the original bedplate, but more likely, if a heavier replacement bedplate is fitted. One exacerbating factor mentioned, was the relative position of the door aperture to the prevailing strongest wind direction. With worst situation being the downwind location? The location of mine is about 70 deg off from the prevailing SW wind direction, but I don't know if this is why we have seen no cracking to date. It would be interesting to know what orientation those suffering cracking have.

Britwind have highlighted to me, that the problem is caused by the natural frequency of the 36m tower when the turbine is operating. The 24m tower has different harmonic frequency, and thus does not suffer from this problem. They are currently developing a solution to move the harmonic frequency out of the danger zone (where damage results), by a ballast system installed in the nacelle. Their Finite Element Analysis (FEA) indicated it is a necessary further modification required, if they fit their heavier replacement bedplate - even if the turbine is operating within normal limits. But they also believe it will occur with the original bedplate, in time.

It should be noted that the GaleForce bedplate offered by Natural Generation, Earthmill etc., which is also heavier than the original one, have undertaken their own FEA analysis, but conclude it is not a problem with their bedplate, unless the turbine suffers a protracted 'Run Away' situation. A case of two, independent, FEA analysis coming to markedly different conclusions. Given that warrantees for the bedplates, I believe, do not include the subsequent effect on the tower, it is an obvious area of concern. Precise detail of the FEA analysis undertaken are confidential to the individual company.

Does any other owner feel it beneficial if there was a specific forum set up for owners relating to all issues on E3120s. Britwind said they would set one up, some time ago, but have failed to do so to date.

Suggest topics for common debate:

Bedplate cracking and Replacement Bedplate options
36m Tower cracking
Blade problems
Other mechanical/operating issues
Cost offered by Energy supply companies
Insurance Options and costs
Performance of Service contract Providers - speed of response to downtime etc.

If you know of any dedicated forum, where topics like these are discussed, please let me know.

 

[kill]

Pm sent

 

[DC21]

Here is a question for you. What is a warranty from a company worth? Without insurance backing it would be difficult for any company to stand a significant series of warranty claims (i.e. what happened to Endurance).

 

[GSB]

New bed plate installed on a 36m tower. Bed plate had a crack but hub has moved twice on the shaft. This turbine suffered a overspeed back in 2016 and caused a fair bit off damage. Insurance are involved thank goodness due to the overspeed "storm damage"!! No cracks in the tower and no dampering system fitted yet. Some drums will anti freeze might be a shout short term!!