Centramatic Balancers Update...

[Aage]

Photo won't open for me, Perry...

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I said I would post the dimensions of my wheels a while back to see if anyone could tell me if the Centramatics would fit my wheels. Here is a drawing of what the inside of my wheels look like. I made this drawing to see if I could use disk brakes with my wheels and the answer is no, they won't fit without some spacers. The question is if the centramatics will fit. If the Centramatics are bigger than 11.5 inches they won't fit.



http://www.motorcycleproducts.org/AS...Rim%5B1%5D.pdf

Perry

Your photo opened just fine for me.

That drawing shows that there is a 11.5 inch flat surface on the backside of the wheel.

If that's the case then the Centramatic that we have made will fit just fine.

Andy

[Silverwanabe]

Originally Posted by Aage

Photo won't open for me, Perry...

It is a pdf file.

[Airperson]

Was told that they were on my Airstream. Can I tell if they are without taking off tires.

[perryg114]

Andy what is the outer diameter and thickness at the outer diameter of your balancers?

What I need to do next is draw the drum. I think the main problem is how far the drum surface is from the plane of the mounting bolts. The boses for the lug bolts stick out past the drum surface a good bit so I don't think it will be a problem. I think the problems occur when newer drums are used with older rims.

Perry

[Melody Ranch]

Why not call the Centramatic Company. Located just south of Ft. Worth, Texas.....they are great folks and will do all to help you out. Drive in there with your vehicle and they will even install the Centramatics while you wait.

[perryg114]

I did call them and they make a special model 200-221 with a 10" outer diameter and 3/4" thickness at that diameter. This is probably the one Andy has.

Their standard model is a 300-356 which is 12-3/4" diameter and 7/8" thickness. This won't fit 15" rims but might fit a 16" rim. You have to measure the inside of the rim to find out.

These are both are a 6 bolt pattern on 5.5" bolt circle.

I will draw up my brake drums and post the entire assembly when I get it made. Hopefully this won't take as long as driving to TX. Ok so I have too much spare time at work.

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Why not call the Centramatic Company. Located just south of Ft. Worth, Texas.....they are great folks and will do all to help you out. Drive in there with your vehicle and they will even install the Centramatics while you wait.

Centramatic makes a "special model" for use, that is used on most of the Airstream and Argosy trailers.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I did call them and they make a special model 200-221 with a 10" outer diameter and 3/4" thickness at that diameter. This is probably the one Andy has.

Their standard model is a 300-356 which is 12-3/4" diameter and 7/8" thickness. This won't fit 15" rims but might fit a 16" rim. You have to measure the inside of the rim to find out.

These are both are a 6 bolt pattern on 5.5" bolt circle.

I will draw up my brake drums and post the entire assembly when I get it made. Hopefully this won't take as long as driving to TX. Ok so I have too much spare time at work.

Perry

Perry.

Yes, Centramatic makes the 10 inch version, for us.

The lip dimension on the outside of the circle, is 3/4 inch.

Andy

[perryg114]

Can you define what special means in this case?

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Can you define what special means in this case?

Perry

Special, in this case, means it is made exclusively for us, and is not in any catalog.

Andy

[Gene]

Several years ago when Inland Andy started carrying them I ordered them from him and they fit the 15" wheels. When I switched to 16" wheels, they still fit.

I think I saw them on the Centramatics website back then as well.

Gene

[Alumaholic]

I ordered mine directly from Centramatics.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

Several years ago when Inland Andy started carrying them I ordered them from him and they fit the 15" wheels. When I switched to 16" wheels, they still fit.

I think I saw them on the Centramatics website back then as well.

Gene

Ditto here...from Centramatic directly though.

[reinergirl]

I've posted this link below before, I bookmarked it because it theorizes that the 10 inch centramics are far less effective than the full size ones.... Would any armchair mechanics or those of you more technically inclined care to comment on that conclusion?

http://home.hiwaay.net/~tomorkim/Centramatics.htm

[Ag&Au]

I ordered a set a few weeks ago. The Airstream ones were not listed on
centramatic's website. I called Centramatic and told them I needed a set for 15 inch Airstream wheels. I placed the order with them. They showed up in about 5 days. They fit the drums and my new 16 inch wheels just fine. I recommend that you order them from the factory. That way you are assured of getting what you need.

Ken

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by reinergirl

I've posted this link below before, I bookmarked it because it theorizes that the 10 inch centramics are far less effective than the full size ones.... Would any armchair mechanics or those of you more technically inclined care to comment on that conclusion?

http://home.hiwaay.net/~tomorkim/Centramatics.htm

Marginally...maybe, IMHO. Centrifugal force will be somewhat less on a smaller diameter. HOWEVER, since Centramatic says that they become effective at 35mph, a smaller diameter (2"?) may become effective at 40mph?? Who cares?

The same argument could be made for a 12" set put on a 28" tall tire as opposed to a 32" tire. Centramatic doesn't sell different models specifically for taller tires, just different wheel shapes and configurations. I think it's much ado about nothing.

Also, I don't believe Centramatic advertises this product as a REPLACEMENT for spin balancing the tire and wheel. It is used in addition to balancing the tire and wheel, so the reduction in CALCULATED ability doesn't reduce the effectiveness of the product, unless you are WAY out of balance.

There is also the assumption that the same innerds are present in all models. I don't know if that's true or not.

[perryg114]

Tom who did those calculations is correct. The bigger the diameter of the balancer the more effective it is in correcting out of balance issues. However, if you get your tires balanced so they are in the ball park the balancers can take care of the imbalanced caused by the drums not being balanced. The reason they are 10" in diameter is so they will not hit the older 15" rims. If you are running 16" rims and you have 12.75 inches of space in the plane of the lug bolts then use the model 300-356 if you have 15" rims you need the 200-221 special which is the standard 5 bolt 200-221 drilled for 6 bolt rims. The standard 200-221 has a 5 bolt pattern so they need to know that that you want the 6 bolt 5.5in dia bolt pattern. If you order the ones from Andy they will fit and you don't have to worry about any of this.

Perry

Originally Posted by reinergirl

I've posted this link below before, I bookmarked it because it theorizes that the 10 inch centramics are far less effective than the full size ones.... Would any armchair mechanics or those of you more technically inclined care to comment on that conclusion?

http://home.hiwaay.net/~tomorkim/Centramatics.htm

[Melody Ranch]

Perry is right on. Call Andy and you will know what your getting...from my experience.

[ZoominC6]

Originally Posted by Airperson

Was told that they were on my Airstream. Can I tell if they are without taking off tires.

Sure you can. If your wheels are spoked aluminum you won't be able to see through them as the metal pan of the Centramatics blocks the view. One cool modification is to take the Centramatics off, clean them with a good solvent or denatured alcohol and then paint them flat black with a heat resistant type paint or epoxy. The spokes of your wheels will show much better. Good luck and happy trails.