HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah to all you wonderful readers. It’s getting close to that time of year so we thought we might suggest a few gifts that you would certainly not find at Macy’s. Wind technicians have special needs and sometimes that pinch-penny company they work for will not spring for the latest cool tool.
Soo, the staff here at Windpower Engineering & Development has been tracking news of the curious, unusual, and possibly useful things that frequently cross our desks. So based on that and timing, we present the first annual Wind Technicians Gift Guide to spark ideas for that person brave enough to climb 80 meters to care for an ailing turbine in the middle of winter.
Keep hands warm (and safe) this winter with the SmartShell BKCR4599. This heavy-duty safety glove from Brass Knuckles offers three layers of protection on the palm and fingers. A category jumper, it is designed to provide slip, impact, abrasion, light oil, and moisture resistance. The BKCR4599 is a breathable yet durable mechanic’s glove that delivers ANSI level 4 cut protection. Even the back of the hand is made with sonically welded thermoplastic rubber padding to counter workplace scrapes and strikes. Expect comfort in a hardy construction that combines fit, form, and function.
Tinsel is made to toss and drop. Tools are not. Thanks to Gear Keeper’s new RT3-5605 heavy-tool retractable tether, tools stay close to the user’s body for safer climbing and work in cramped quarters. The tether is engineered for accessibility with a balanced recoil and retraction force. It offers a generous reach that extends more than 55 in. and employs a low, 7-oz force to prevent arm strain. The RT3-5605 also features a thumb-controlled gear lock to secure a tool regardless of extension length and a lanyard loop strap that can adapt to almost any tool. The strong, impact-absorbing Nylon webbing requires no additional shock-absorbing lanyard end.
Cold weather is not the only hazard wind tech’s face on the job. Cuts and bruises to the hands are common, so consider Hydratight’s new Safe T accessory for its line of RSL torque wrenches. It minimizes pinch points — and it makes a great stocking stuffer. Typically, one technician operates the torque wrench and another controls the hydraulic pump. The Safe T lets a single person simultaneously operate the wrench and its hydraulic pump, eliminating the chance of miscommunication in a noisy work environment. The tool houses a control panel with two main operational buttons, which must be pressed at the same time to ensure safe operation. If the operator releases his hands, the torque wrench and hydraulic pump immediately cease to operate.
A heavy, uncomfortable safety harness is bound to bring out the Scrooge in anyone. Help lighten the load with the DBI-SALA ExoFit STRATA, the first full-body safety harness designed and tested with data-driven, third-party research. This full-body device features the LIFTech load-distribution system that takes weight off a user’s shoulders and redistributes it down the torso. A vertical torso adjuster stores excess webbing and keeps it safely out of the way. Plus, an EZ-Link quick adapter simplifies and reduces connection and disconnection times by up to 80% compared to competitive harnesses. ExoFit promises less strain and worker fatigue and that means a happier, more productive technician.
ExoFit STRATA, http://exofitstrata.com
It has been said that the best gift is the gift of education. For the technician interested in brushing up on his or her skills, Abaris Training offers three to five-day manufacturing, engineering, and repair courses intended to provide a semester’s worth of insight in a week’s time. Each course mixes classroom theory with practical experience and industry best practices. For example, Abaris’ wind repair course teaches hands-on structural repairs of turbine blades using advanced materials and methods for producing sound results. Students walk away with a toolkit of skills they can immediately apply in the workforce.
Abaris Training | abaris.com
Don’t let your tech take a conventional portable computer up tower. They are too delicate. Give them a GammaTech Durabook R11 rugged tablet PC. It sports features an 11.6-in. TFT LCD capacitive touch display and a 5th gen Intel Broadwell Core processor. The computer is built for workers in the utility and public safety markets. It is the lightest 11.6 in. rugged tablet PC in its class at only 2.73 pounds, while staying tough with Military Standard 810G and IP65 certifications for drop, shock, dust, and water resistance. Its wide operating temperature range of -10° to ~55°C means it can stand up to the daily wear and tear encountered in field settings.
Let is snow, let it snow. Workers in cold weather can now enjoy comfort and conspicuity in the latest thermal gear. Ergodyne has taken some of their top-selling thermal gear and enhanced it to provide more visibility on the job. With these Hi-Vis products, wearers can expect the same style and comfort from Ergodyne’s N-Ferno products with the additional benefit of high-visibility through Hi-Vis lime fabrics and reflective accents. Besides a new color variety, the company has also added length to their balaclava and a completely new reversible hat. You can pair it with Ergondyne’s water and wind-proof heated jacket (it’s equipped with three heat settings: low, medium, and high) that features removable sleeves for greater flexibility.
All-weather grip protection means the wind technician in your life won’t lose another small part or tool because of oily or wet gloves. Hi-Line Utility’s Power Gripz protectors and work gloves offer adjustable Velcro straps and proprietary grip pads that stretch from palm to fingertips to ensure dexterity. The gloves come in Kevlar or Thinsulate to guard against the elements, and include arc and heat-penetration protection. Available in Class 1 to 4, Power Gripz exceed ASTM F-696 standards.
Hi-Line Utility Supply Co., hilineco.com
’Tis the season for better bolting. Hytorc’s new ICE series is currently the only industrial bolting system with a built-in auto-release to prevent the inconvenient lockup of tools. It also has a unique, patented hose connector for improved flexibility on tight jobs to make work a little easier on technicians. ICE tools feature a co-axial drive able to release pressure after bolting for quick movement from nut to nut, thereby improving operator efficiency and safety. A breakout-assist mechanism prevents the ratchet from moving backward, which makes for a quick and more powerful breakout — even if the nuts and bolts are damaged or corroded.
10. A drone for the toolbox
Eventually, a drone in a toolbox will be as common as a wrench. It’s the trend. The DJI Phantom 4 quadcopter kit, one drone example, is intended for photographers and comes with two spare batteries. The aircraft includes a gimbal-stabilized 4K, 12-Mpixel camera. A visual sensor allows for obstacle avoidance and lets it also avoid obstacles when returning home. The streamlined shell allows a top speed of 44.7 mph while the controller keeps in touch up to 3.1 miles. A battery provides up to 28 minutes of flying time.
B & H, bhphotovideo.com
11. WHAT’S HOT & NOT
11. Don’t touch parts in yellow.
The FLIR C2 is said to be the world’s first full-featured, pocket-sized thermal camera intended for a wide range of electrical and mechanical applications. Wind techs can keep it on them so they’re ready anytime to find and show hidden heat patterns that point out hotspots, energy waste, structural defects, and other issues. One feature adds key details from the onboard visible light camera to the entire infrared image in real time. The result is an all-in-one, undiluted thermal picture with visible light features that allows recognition of the problematic heat pattern. It’s also a reliable way to verify the success of completed repairs. FLIR | flir.com
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