Wireless of the Week - week 31

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

It must be a day for generator sets. I test fit one in the HUW generator cabinet I'm building. It goes back to the WIRE-5 discussion but you can see the sliding rails and plate for the mounting.

[Jordan Baker]

Here are some more pictures the Chorehorse and its NOS tool kit.

[Jordan Baker]

Some great background reading on the DND requirements for the Chorehorse Generator.

https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/o...7/3803?r=0&s=2

[Chris Suslowicz]

There was a pile of Chore Horse/300watt charging set spares in the well-known auction site this week, starting price 60 GBP and I was considering a bid (30 GBP shipping), but eventually decided not to bother as I'd never need about 5-each of new valves, pistons, brushes, and sets of gaskets/seals.

It went for 170 GBP + shipping, which was well over my limit anyway.

At some point I need to get the toolbox and funnel (etc.) for mine. (It came in a crate with the cover and exhaust hose/silencer but someone had extracted the metal box with all the other ancillaries.)

Chris.

[Mike K]

Tip: If you are having weak spark issues with your chorehorse, go to the ignition lead, the lead has a in-line resistor/interference suppressor, these resistors are often the source of the weak spark. I spent hours chasing down this issue.

Many of these sets were converted to 24V operation during the 1950s, basically for use with the Larkspur wireless sets, I believe the field coils were swapped out. I've seen a number of them in the 24V configuration, usually painted in post-war 'deep bronze green'.

I've not seen a Johnson badged version here, only seen the Outboard -Marine brand that is usually fitted with a metal cage/frame that bolts to the main set.

There was also a similar American built version, these have a dual AC/DC output voltage. I will have a look for a pic. https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/41162-ww2-generator/

A club member used to bring along his American 1A unit on many club trips - Bevan F. The output is: 240V AC and 12V DC more info https://www.smokstak.com/forum/threa...e-motor.55746/

http://www.internalfire.com/xenf/ind...enerator.4828/

Found on Facebook
"Lost Illinois Manufacturing
8 September 2018 ·
In 1962 the Pioneer Gen-E- Motor Corporation located at 5841 West Dickens Street, Chicago employed 400 people who made gasoline engines, mowers (Pincor brand), generators, power plants, and tools.
Sometimes incorrectly associated with General Motors, Pincor mowers were produced by the Pioneer Gen-E-Motor Corporation in Chicago. Ads refer to 1932 as the beginning o the company. When the company closed is not known."

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Mike K

Many of these sets were converted to 24V operation during the 1950s, basically for use with the Larkspur wireless sets, I believe the field coils were swapped out. I've seen a number of them in the 24V configuration, usually painted in post-war 'deep bronze green'.

It's much simpler than that: the generator is a 4-pole one, with two sets of field coils in parallel, so all they did was reconnect them in series and "Hey Presto!" it's a 30-volt charging set instead of a 15-volt one. (The rating plate on the flywheel cover gets changed to point out the new specification, but I don't think they bothered to change the ammeter.)

I have one still in its crate but haven't hauled it out to check the voltage - it's one of the British (BSA) 300 Watt charging sets.

Post-WW2 the "full" spares kit was slimmed down to just the necessary tools and a replacement spark plug (as far as I'm aware), as it was simpler to just swap out the whole unit and let the attached REME mechanics deal with it or send it back to workshops for a full rebuild or scrapping.

(Lots of things got slimmed down for peacetime: wireless spares were half (or less) the original issue, the 36-ft Aerial masts (two per Wireless Truck) no longer had 7 tubes instead of 6, etc.)

Best regards,
Chris.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Some great background reading on the DND requirements for the Chorehorse Generator.

https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/o...7/3803?r=0&s=2

Some drawings included for the FFW 8 cwt chassis. Very valuable source for those with a C8 or F8

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Some great background reading on the DND requirements for the Chorehorse Generator.

https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/o...7/3803?r=0&s=2

Thanks Jordan (and Mike); interesting. Pity the drawings are that dark, but it does show that the round hole in the corner of the cab rear wall of my C8 was most likely for a clamp holding the exhaust tube.

And inside the box..... a fantastic un modified Cnd Chorehorse. With a complete tool kit still in the cosmoline.

I completely missed this find! Well done Jordan.....and even the version with that elusive hinging cover! (not jealous at all)

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Pity the drawings are that dark,


I completely missed this find! Well done Jordan.....and even the version with that elusive hinging cover! (not jealous at all)

reversed the colours

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

reversed the colours

Why didn't I think of that . Thanks Mike!

Alex

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

I completely missed this find! Well done Jordan.....and even the version with that elusive hinging cover! (not jealous at all)

Incredible find Jordan!

Alex dragged me all the way to Belgium to chase one of these with the hinged cover. It turned out to be a wild goose chase, alas. (I'm sure Alex will share the pics and story one day )

[Mike K]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4387...2055421274688/

Iron Horse: I thought was a steam loco.

[NORTH-SHORE(CANADA)]

Hi,
i juste got one for 60$ but is not the right spark plug do you know what is the model of the plug i should use
thanks
eric