[HAM] Alignment of Start Motor. Warning about exposed AC mains

[Steve Leigh]

START MOTOR
US Hammonds:  There is assuredly 1/2 of the 110v feed present at the 
start motor if the organ is plugged into a live wall outlet.  The 
switch supplies the other 1/2 when engaged.  Exactly the same applies 
to the AO28 preamp, and run motor.  It can be proven in 3 minutes 
with an AC voltmeter.  Just remove the cover plate on the generator, 
find out for yourself.

European Hammonds:  I don't have a clue.

Alignment of start motor:  The start motor is mounted on the last 
plate of the generator "bin dividers".  Examination of the dividers 
shows they're simply stamped steel parts and CAN FLEX.  I don't have 
the incentive to go put a micrometer on one right now, but they're thin.

Removing/re-installing the generator can easily - with one decent 
bump - bend this end plate, and have an effect on the alignment of 
the motor gear to the generator start gear.  In my old days, I've 
repaired this problem about 2 dozen times.  It's quite easy to 
fix.  It also taught me a powerful lesson.

Determine the axis that the start motor is skewed.  Ie; does it 
"almost" engage, but not quite, because the shaft is slightly towards 
the front or rear of the generator?  Once this is determined, remove 
the start motor.  Spend 3 minutes thinking about which way the plate 
needs to go to regain proper alignment.  Use a pair of pliers and 
gently bend the generator plate as required.  Reinstall the start 
motor.  If you did a correct job of bending (and it only requires a 
very little bit of bending, usually only a few thousandths of an 
inch), the start motor should engage properly.

The problem is usually caused initially by allowing the start motor 
to bang against the interior of the Hammond.  This can be during 
generator removal, failure to lock down the generator, or a hand 
applying force to the start motor.

The lesson I learned was to have TWO people remove and reinstall the 
generator, keeping the start motor far, far away from anything 
against which it could hit.

Steve


Steve Leigh  :::  steve at sl-prokeys.com
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