Automatic Duty change operation of Pumps

[redbarron55]

I was once asked to program 15 air mist compressors to equalize run time. After proper warning about the above mentioned end of life problems I did just that and got the hour meter numbers, input them into the program and set to work.
Soon the compressors were pretty much exactly equal.And shortly they all were pretty much worn out at the same time.
There were not enough parts in the country to overhaul them all at the same time.
Soon I was asked to reprogram and set the program to stagger the units and
cycle them as stated above.
I prefer to keep the run time spread out, but rotated to keep them frequently operated.

But the way the above example created an extreme problem for the plant to maintain production.

 

[RheinhardtP]

I believe they call it exercising the standby unit to ensure it still gets some runtime on it.

We alternate on startup based on run hours but then exercise the standby pump every x amount of hours for an hour.

 

[redbarron55]

In my experience if you let a pump run to build the time split you want and after that you equalize the run times (keeping the desired spread) you can then allow nature to take it's course.
While I am a believer in exercising machinery, I am also a believer in not making problems where none existed before.
Equal run times for wear items is one problem I can do without and can handle easily.