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MMD > Archives > May 2019 > 2019.05.07 > 02Prev  Next


Motor For Gulbransen Recordo in New Zealand
By Ian Ferguson

Hello,  Thanks for the replies.  I had a local rewinders look at the
armature -- they told me that I would be looking at about $1500.00,
hence why I'm looking for another.

The electrical system is factory fitted, with the resistor in the
back of the piano.  The badge on the resistor reads

  VITROHM
  Ward Leonard Electric Co.
  Mount Vernon NY, 18 ohms

I assume that the few electric Gulbransens that came to New Zealand
and Australia would have had the same set up.

I want to keep the system original -- I have replaced all the wiring
and repaired the resistor.  The vacuum motor is in the original black
wooden box, with heavy noise proofing and suspended on springs.  The
coating on the armature windings were flaking in places from age so
I assume there is an internal short.

The motor itself has no markings, the wooden box has had two envelopes
tacked to the top of the box (now gone) and two brass badges, one saying

  MOTOR PLAYER CORPORATION Chicago, Ill.
  Manufacturers of Electric Vacuum Pumps for player pianos.
  Made in USA, pat. 10-28-19  type 1 serial no. H1725
  Volts 220 AC or DC 260 watts

I'm not sure why they would fit a 220-volt motor and then put in
a resistor (we are 230 volts in New Zealand).  I couldn't read the
voltage on the bulb in the spool box.

Any information would be appreciated, and I'm still looking for an
armature or someone who can rewind it for a reasonable cost.

Many thanks,

Ian Ferguson
Auckland, New Zealand
greenockgarden@xtra.co.nz.geentroep

 [   Armature and field coils
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/05/06/190506_230115_IMG_2168.JPG 
 [   Motor in box
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/05/06/190506_230115_IMG_2174.JPG 
 [   Lower action
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/05/06/190506_230115_IMG_1880.JPG 
 [   Top section
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/05/06/190506_230115_IMG_2184.JPG 

 [ Spencer Chase says, "Most shops know only how to replace brushes
 [ and bearings; anything more is a mystery to them so they charge a
 [ fortune.  If you know what you are doing you do not need to charge
 [ a lot. ... It pays to search and search until you find someone who
 [ knows what they are doing and can do it at a reasonable price.
 [ Often the cheapest shop can be the best because they know how to
 [ work efficiently."
 [
 [ -- Robbie


(Message sent Tue 7 May 2019, 06:01:15 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Gulbransen, Motor, New, Recordo, Zealand

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