MTFCA Forum

Looking at rebuilding my starter armature. It has 3 lifted segment where the bars are attached too the commutator.
Are the windings attached by solder ? Has anyone done a documented procedure on this ? Can't check continuity until fixed.

johnr wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 25, 2024 11:12 am

Looking at rebuilding my starter armature. It has 3 lifted segment where the bars are attached too the commutator.
Are the windings attached by solder ? Has anyone done a documented procedure on this ? Can't check continuity until fixed.

Please post pictures.

Yes, they would be soldered but reading your description, lifted commutator segments, think you would be better off just finding a different armature, preferably one that has been checked on a growler. This would not be something in the normal realm of someone repairing, so unless you can dig up a YouTube video or other how-to information, don't think you will have much luck.

I would source another. Just not that rare.

Here a way to rebuild your armature.
It will take some training but it can be done.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/r ... ajaxhist=0

I never tried a starter armature but did a few dynamo armatures on the kitchen table.

Good luck
Andre
Belgium

An automotive generator/starter shop may be your best bet. If you can find a long time establishment even better.

Are you saying you have 3 lifted commutator segments, or 3 lifted winding buss bars??

Andre,
Your generator armature rewinding looks really nice. I am interested in rewinding an armature that burned up because of a loose connection to the battery.
My questions are
1. What is the white material along the slots.
2. Any preferred wire brand or supplier.
3. Are the wires soldered to the commutater one by
one as tge loops are wound. Or are the wires soldered
after all the loops are completed.
4. What is the cardboard material that is place in each
slot before the wire I inserted.

Any hints, suggestions, or warnings will be much appreciated. I am not interested in going into business, or competing with anyone.

Art Mirtes

Art,
The wire I use is 0.80mm insulated electric cupper coil wire.
The cardboard is 0.25mm gasket paper. You need 42 of them, two for each slot one on the bottom and one to close the spool.
To close the slots I use hard wood strips from the local RC model airplane shop.
The soldering job is done after all the windings are in place.
After the soldering the windings are secured with cotton wire.
After testing the armature on a growler it is soaked in electric insulating varnish and baked to dry.
Before using the armature, the excess of varnish is cleaned off in a lathe.

Each spool have 10 windings, you will need to make 21 spools.

Before you start with the job just keep in mind that it was broken before you start, you can not make it worse.
Just take your time while taking it appart and observe where each spool was connected and in which slots it was. Write it down, you will need the notes as you start the rebuild.

Good luck
Andre
Belgium

Find yourself an Lejay Electric catalog. Has more about winding armatures then you can use.
Also has wiring diagrams for many makes of armatures.

Hello John,

I have a few extra starter armatures if you’re interested.

Send me a message.

David Woods
Williamston T Works

Andre: That is first class work, thanks for sharing. Best to you for 2025! jb

Andre,
Thanks for sharing the detailed information on winding armature. The explanation is excellent. I am now excited to start.

One question is the size of the wire. The old wire is approximately 1.25 mm. You use .8 mm diameter wire.
The thinner wire will be easier to handle. I am hoping that your stated dia.eyer is not a typing error.

Please keep in mind, this I'd the only armature that I plan to rebuild, unless someone in my area wants to learn. I am willing to pass on what little skill I have. This is all part of the hobby.

Art Mirtes

What happened to the OP and his STARTER armature??

Art,

The original wire had cotton woven arround for insulation and is 1.25mm thick.
The nude original wire was a little under 1mm.
The best I could find was 0.8mm varnish insulated wire.
It work fine for me in the past.
I did this for five Model T generator armatures, they all work well till now.

At this time I have to much work to rebuild the three bad armatures left.
It is a time taking job and make the about $300.- + core and shipping, for a rebuild one at the parts shops, cheap.
I will try to add a little film about the growler test of a bad armature.
The little film didn't work, on the photo you should see a spark near to the collector.

Good luck.
Andre
Belgium

Andre,
Thanks for clearing up my wire diameter concern. I will order the .8 mm, which is American Wire Gauge (AWG) 20. It will be easier to handle than AWG 18, 1.0 mm.

I am interested in the use of a growler. I have one, but don't fully understand how to interpret the results. I watched my father use one. He never explained it and apparently never tested a defective armature.

Art Mirtes

Art,
just send me a PM with you Email adresse. I will send you a few files with the way to use a growler.

Andre
Belgium

Just replace it they are super easy to get I have a bunch of starters on hand if you need one.