Powerhouse Generator identification?

[Goldfinch28]

I think I can do it with an electric drill turning it and a file. Then smooth it down with emery cloth.
Does anyone know why they switched from the power house? Too much cost? Just curious at this point as the PH sure seems well built and machined.

[Tom Wesenberg]

The powerhouse is my favorite generator and is very well built as well as easy to work on. I'm sure it was a cost thing that made Ford switch to the tube style generator.

[Goldfinch28]

Here is a pic of the commutator after turning it down via the drill and file method. Looks decent. New brushes should be here in a few days. Will send more pics before final assembly/installation.

[jthomas6]

I can't tell from the pictures, but does the PowerHouse have 'oil holes' for the bearings/bushings - like there are for the long gens?? If not, how are they lubricated?

[Tom Wesenberg]

You did good on removing the wear steps in the commutator. I would use some fine crocus cloth to polish it even more though.

No oil holes. The bearings are packed with grease and will stay well lubed for many years.

The armature bolt should be a special stepped bolt, though your grade 8 bolt may do the job as long as the armature runs true.

[Tom Wesenberg]

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Originally Posted by jthomas6

I can't tell from the pictures, but does the PowerHouse have 'oil holes' for the bearings/bushings - like there are for the long gens?? If not, how are they lubricated?

Here's a picture of a powerhouse generator I restored a few years ago. This one still had the original grease and probably would have gone for many more years. It was getting a bit thick though, so I cleaned it out and used Mystik JT-6 High Temp grease to repack the bearings.

I also show pictures of a couple armatures that I polished. Unfortunately someone turned a lot of copper off the powerhouse commutator, but I could still polish it and use it. The smoother the commutator is, the longer the brushes will last.

[jthomas6]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Here's a picture of a powerhouse generator I restored a few years ago. This one still had the original grease and probably would have gone for many more years. It was getting a bit thick though, so I cleaned it out and used Mystik JT-6 High Temp grease to repack the bearings.

I also show pictures of a couple armatures that I polished. Unfortunately someone turned a lot of copper off the powerhouse commutator, but I could still polish it and use it. The smoother the commutator is, the longer the brushes will last.

Tom, thanks for the info & pictures - wonder why they switched to 'oil holes'? Maybe easier for the common person to maintain.