Canadian powerhouse

pooch

pooch

Well-known member
Was mentioned in another post that Canadian powerhouses had a taper to the body, while USA ones didn't?

Does anyone have a pic of the correct one for a june 28 Canadian.

Am temporarily running an alternator, but want to repair and fit the 5 brush PH, but if it is the wrong one, I may not.

Mine looks square on front.
 
Here is my PH.

Front edge is straight over, no taper, I think the cutout is supposed to be round?

Are round ones only 6 volt, and this one is rectangular because it has been changed to a 12 volt?

But it is charging 18 volts.

Has a drama with the field coils methinks.

PH2.jpg


PH1.jpg
 
d9b6f96a.jpg


Here is a picture of the Canadian Powerhouse generator. Everything is the same as other powerhouse generators except for the main body. You can see how it has a larger diameter and as soon as it leaves the rear cover it tapers up to the larger diameter. Also notice how much more rounded the front edge is on the main body, and how the output stud has a raised portion for mounting it.

BTW, when I did research on the powerhouse generator at the Benson Ford Research Center I couldn't find any pictures or information on it, so I'm not sure if it was the only generator used on 1928 Canadian Model A's, or if the other more common style powerhouse would also be correct for 28's and the first half year of 29's.
 
Last edited:
pooch said:
Here is my PH.

Front edge is straight over, no taper, I think the cutout is supposed to be round?

Are round ones only 6 volt, and this one is rectangular because it has been changed to a 12 volt?

But it is charging 18 volts.

Has a drama with the field coils methinks.

PH2.jpg


PH1.jpg
Click to expand...

Dodge and Delco and some other makes had rectangular cutouts and they are 6 volt, so the shape means nothing as far as voltage.
Your powerhouse can put out over 30 volts and must be connected to a battery so it doesn't burn itself out from the high voltage.

I make an electronic voltage regulator that also controls the output voltage to a safe level, so even if the battery is disconnected or has a bad connection, the voltage won't rise to an unsafe level and do damage to the generator and lights.

If you disconnect the field wire from the adjustable brush (or just slip a piece of paper between the brush and commutator) then you can measure the ohms of the field windings. Your generator was used about the first 8 months of 1928 and should have about 3 ohms. So, if you connect a 6 volt battery charger to the field wire, you should show about a 2 amp draw on the meter of the charger.
 
pooch said:
So, mine is a USA model PH.

82 years, bound to be a few added parts.
Click to expand...

After thinking about it, your powerhouse might be correct for your car. I've never seen a Canadian style powerhouse with the tension bracket, as shown in your picture. My 9-27-28 Phaeton also has the tension bracket.

The Autolite (long style generator) was released for production in the U.S. in October 1928, but very few Model A's had them until mid 29. I wonder if this large diameter powerhouse might have been introduced in Canada about the same time the long generator was introduced in the U.S.? They aren't very easy to find, and a late introduction could be the reason why.

Need someone in Canada to do some research on this. :)
 
So, can my cutout be a standard 6 volt and work with a 12 volt battery?

I just assumed it must be a 12 volt one.

I have been searching for my 6 volt charger with amp meter for a few days now to check field windings , it will turn up.
 
The cutout voltage should match the battery. A 6 volt cutout will click closed as soon as the generator starts putting out 6 volts. Change to a 12 volt battery and the same thing holds true, but the voltage isn't enough to start charging the 12 volt battery until the generator output reaches about 13 volts.

Why not just stick with a 6 volt battery?
 
Probably cost and the fact battery was already in it.

6 volt batts here are $130, bulbs a bit hard to find.

6 volt blinkers hard to see etc.
 
Pooch,

I'm running 6V positive ground with 5 brush powerhouse on my Feb, 29 Roadster. I insalled the Logo-Lite turn signal kit, the lights are LED and show up very well. With the 21/3 headlight blubs I did not even increase the charge rate, set at 6 amp charge. The fuse in the Logo-Lite circuit is only 1 Amp..

Ron
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top