Thread: 1956 Series 1 with PTO welder (home made)

Originally Posted by gromit

The plate is difficult to read, there is a layer of what looks like varnish which has turned brown with age.
I had a quick look last night and it looked like 30V but the previous owner said get it up to about 60Volts (on the voltmeter) for welding. I need to check the plate and also the scale on the meter.

Mention here of a P3 system Canberra Electrical Systems
28Volts DC.

Colin

That is a type of varnish/electrical sealant, you can gently get it off if you like though it wont be easy. Maybe some scotch-brite or very fine steel wool however it would be easy to take off the paint underneath. You could also try a razor blade. Being an older varnish type methylated spirits may get it off too.

If in doubt just a clean with soapy water on a rag is about all you can do safely if you want to keep it looking original.

Hope that is some help
Matt

Originally Posted by MattyGM

The housings look identical and somehow I doubt they have changed much over the years. I assume US aircraft have used 28 V DC and 115 V AC for quite a long time

Cheers
Matt

Yes, 28v DC and 115v 400Hz were established standards in WW2 (and possibly before). If this unit is being used as a welder, I'll bet it is 28v. (Although the actual voltage will be dependent on engine rpm and current draw. As a welder it is probably completely unregulated.

John

it looks to me to be a generator off a radial engine, I didn't think the Canberra would have been fitted with such an antique bit of kit,
and yes, I bet it is 28 volt, I don't think you would be able to get 60 volts out of it.
reading the Canberra stuff, 400 amps is mentioned, that would throw a good arc.
to read the name plate, just wipe some thinners on a rag over it gently to only take the varnish off.
most of those plates had acid etched lettering, so the lettering was raised over the black background paint.
if you did wipe off all the paint the writing would most likely still be evident by the corrosion of the unpainted lettering.


I will ask my aircraft generator ace tomorrow, forgot about this until now.

OK, maybe it was 30 Volts.......

DSCN2960 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

For some reason 60 Volts stuck in my mind but looking at the voltmeter 30 Volts is about right.



Colin

Just took delivery of a master cylinder thanks to wrinklearthur highlighting the Minerva ones for sale on Ebay. Not sure if it's NOS or a replica.

DSCF2136 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Mine has a damaged lug on the mounting flange. I slipped the broken piece under the bolt head when I put it back on and it's still there.
I just honed it and re-sealed it and i'ts always been in the back of my mind to get a replacement, well now I have one....
Now that I have a replacement the original will never play up of course.

You can see the unpainted broken part of the lug in this picture.

DSCF3457 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

One thing I do remember is that the overhaul kit I purchased came with the copper washer for the end cap. It leaked like a seive. When I took it apart I found the copper hadn't been annealed and there was a mark across the sealing surface. Annealed the original washer and it has been OK since 2008.


Comparing the photo of the original with the Minerva one, the ports are offset on the original whereas they are in the centre of the body on the Minerva unit.
If that's the only difference it just means re-bending the pipes slightly.



Colin

Mine had a broken lug as well; so I put a piece of copper where the hole should have been; pre-heated the stripped master cylinder to a very dull-red; and built the missing lug up with Weldall arc electrodes; post heated it and when it had cooled naturally, I filed my welding to shape,

Cheers Charlie

Just checking the Series I over for a run to Yarra Glen tomorrow Home - Historic Commercial Vehicle Club of Australia

DSCF1891 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Found a brake light out so had to take one of it's Pork Pies apart for the first time in many years. Then found a huge Huntsman guarding a sac of eggs in the storage lockers, quickly found that a new home.

Petrol is a bit stale but she started & ran OK, a quick wash over and later today I'll fill out the logbook and take her for a short drive to get some petrol.


Colin

Left the Series I out last night for an early getaway this morning at 6am to go to the Wantirna market.
A quick look round and then off to Maccas on the way to Yarra Glen.

DSCN3320 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Fantastic event, Yarra Glen Racecourse is a better venue than Sandown racecourse. Some great restored & unrestored trucks.

Interesting chats with a number of people about the Landy and several discussions about whether to restore or not restore.

DSCF3049 by Colin Radley, on Flickr



Picked up some plastic lens sidelights for the series I (copies of the original Lucas ones), a couple of leads to Dormobiles (people making phonecalls & getting back to me) and then.......


a possible '48 for sale, have to go and look at it and check out the chassis number


Colin