300w Charging Set Problems

[James D Teel II]

Anyone have any idea what the resistance value of this filterette is supposed to be? All I’m getting when I try to use a battery to start the set is a spark at the start switch and the set just tries to turn.

Attached link is of me trying to start it before restoration. It wouldn’t start because the magneto was bad amongst other things. As you can see, it’s turning very well here.
https://youtube.com/shorts/b1L97ZSMhms?feature=share

[David Dunlop]

Hi James.

No Filtrette specifications at all in any of my Chorehorse manuals. In 1940 Canadian money, however, it was worth $28.00.

A probable long shot, but did the maker bother to stamp/print the specs anywhere on the Filtrette itself?


David

[James D Teel II]

Hi David. There’s nothing I can find on it anywhere that shows any values. As you can see, it doesn’t have much of a value; at least this one doesn’t.

[James D Teel II]

Hi Chris. I have polarized it and it’s still a no go. I was telling Jordan Baker earlier today. When I try to start it using the battery, I get a spark behind the start button. The motor tries to turn, but that’s it. You can see right behind the start button where the spark takes place. There’s s bit of pitting there. Has it been doing it all along? I’ve no idea. I only noticed it when I took off the side plate.

[Mike K]

The sparking might be caused by oxidized contacts somewhere. I guess you have cleaned up the start button contacts and the cut-out contacts. Check the field coils for the correct resistance, there might be a shorted winding.

These are the correct tools for the Chorehorse.

[James D Teel II]

Checking the coils is my next task. I might have shorted one or more when I put it back together.

That’s a lovely NOS tool box. I have one and tools, but I’ve put it together. I’ve been searching for over a year for a proper wrench clip.

[David Dunlop]

James.

I just discovered an oddity in my Chorehorse manuals.

In one OMC publication the Start Procedure with battery advised turning the Rheostat Output Control full Left and adjusting the choke before pressing the Start Button. The other OMC manual states the Rheostat Output Control must be turned full Right. No date codes I can see on either manual to know which instruction is newer and no ‘Errata’ red flags either. Might not hurt to try the procedure both ways.

Also, I found a reference that the four coils should test close to 6 Ohms average, in series, if that helps in your trouble shooting.


David

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by James D Teel II

Anyone have any idea what the resistance value of this filterette is supposed to be? All I’m getting when I try to use a battery to start the set is a spark at the start switch and the set just tries to turn.

Attached link is of me trying to start it before restoration. It wouldn’t start because the magneto was bad amongst other things. As you can see, it’s turning very well here.
https://youtube.com/shorts/b1L97ZSMhms?feature=share

The filter resistance should be very low, as the set can charge at 20 amps.

If the output voltage is really low _and_ it won't run as a motor when the start button is pressed with a charged battery connected I'm thinking the stator may have been demagnetised somehow (connecting it up backwards may cause this if you try to start it).

I don't have any manuals for this (even though I have an unissued one in its crate - someone stole the toolbox before I bought it ) so I can't help much on this one.

If there's a section on "Remagnetising the generator" it's probably worth a look.

Best regards,
Chris.