What's new
What's new

10EE - No Exciter Voltage

Cal Haines

Diamond
Joined
Sep 19, 2002
Location
Tucson, AZ
Here recently we’ve had two 10EEs with motor/generator (MG) drives that have stopped working because the exciter was no longer putting out voltage. In both cases flashing the exciter failed to get it working again and in both cases the exciters tested OK at a motor shop. In the first case, docswarf was able to get his machine running again by applying 12VDC from a car battery to the exciter:
Very Interesting Round-Dial 10EE -- EE27264

The other recent case is rustytool’s 10EE, which has not been resolved yet:
rivett & monarch a vist to a friends house


2-Wire, 3-Wire and Inline Exciters

The MGs used on older 10EEs used a 3-Wire exciter with a remotely mounted shunt resistor; newer machines, including most (if not all) square-dials used an exciter with only two wires brought out to the MG terminal panel. To further complicate things, the first generation of MG machines had an in-line exciter, built on the same shaft as the AC motor and DC generator; electrically, it’s essentially the same setup as the later belt-driven 3-wire exciters, but I don’t know enough about them to speak definitively. It’s easier to understand what’s going on with the belt-driven 3-wire machines, so rather than try to discuss all three types in one post I’m going to concentrate on just the belt-driven 3-wire exciters.

You can find some excellent information on exciters by Peter in this thread:
10EE M-G Exciter Diagram and Operation


Initial Checks

Here are some initial checks any time an exciter problem is suspected:

  1. Check rotation of MG (use arrows on MG not exciter).
  2. Unhook the wire from the machine side of the E1 terminal in the MG junction box and then check for voltage from the exciter (removes any load side problems). Hook this wire up only after the exciter is producing voltage.
  3. Check exciter resistances. All check are done with the indicated wires disconnected from the MG terminal panel—make sure you mark the wires as you remove them.
    • A. Series Field and Armature: Disconnect the wires from the exciter to terminals E1 and E2 and measure the resistance between them. (The exciter wires are the 3 wires that come into the right side of the terminal panel via the conduit leading from the exciter.) This measurement checks for problems with the shunt field, brushes and armature windings. You should read about 20Ω.
    • B. Shunt Field and Resistor: Measure the resistance between exciter wire E1 and generator wire E2. This checks the exciter’s shunt field and the series resistor mounted in the generator (more information below). You should read about 530Ω.
    • C. Insulation: Check the resistance between the exciter case and each of exciter wires E1 and E2 as well as generator wire E2. This check for problems with the wiring and winding insulation. You should read over 50KΩ (old insulation may show some leakage but 50K is still OK).

Diagnosing Problems with the Shunt Field Resistor

A problem at step 3B, above, may be due to the exciter shunt field series resistor. It’s a variable resistor that's used to adjust the exciter's output voltage. For reasons known only to the Gods on Mount Sidney, that resistor is usually located in the end bell of the generator, not with the exciter as the wiring diagram indicates. If the resistor is bad the exciter won't work. A problem with the secret wiring (not shown on the diagram) that connects the resistor to the exciter can also cause the problem.

Here’s a link to the section of original round-dial wiring diagram, showing the MG: EE_2674 Exciter Detail
Here’s my modified version of the diagram, showing the actual resistor wiring:
EE_2674_Exciter_Detail_Actual.jpg

There are three wires coming from the exciter. Docswarf’s were labeled 1, 2 and 3: Wires 1 and 2 connected to terminals E1 and E2, respectively, on the vertical terminal strip in the MG terminal panel. Wire number 3 connected to an unlabeled wire that went to the variable resistor in the generator end-bell. The other side of the resistor was connected to a wire labeled E2 and connecting back to the E2 terminal. Wire number 3 does not connect to the MG terminal strip; the connection is via a taped up splice, tucked into the right side of the terminal box.

The generator wires come out of the same hole in the back of the terminal panel as the 9 numbered AC motor wires; it may be possible to identify them by differences in the appearance of the insulation.

As far as I know, the exciter shunt resistor should have adjustment range of 40 to 250 Ohms. This is based on information from Denis Foster, who found that his shunt resistor was a 250Ω resistor made by Ohmite: link
The resistor appears to be an Ohmite 210 series resistor, about 25W; if so it’s Ohmite part number D25K250E.
Ohmite 210 Series Resistors
Ohmite D25K250E 250Ω, 25W resistor at Newark

To verify that the resistor and its wiring are OK, disconnect the wires connected to MG terminal strip position E2 and check the resistance between the slider and the opposite terminal of the resistor (look above the generator's commutator, below the exciter: link). The expected value is between 40 and 250Ω, probably closer to the high end (docswarf’s was adjusted to 150Ω, as is mine). Inspect the resistor and its wiring, looking for cracks and signs of overheating. Be careful with the resistor; you can easily damage the windings under the slider! DON'T MESS WITH THE SLIDER UNLESS YOU HAVE TOO! But if it’s loose, that’s the problem. You should be able to read resistance from the slider to the terminal on the other end of the resistor.

Next check the resistance between the exciter wire 3 and wire E2 from the generator. The reading should be nearly the same as that made directly at the resistor.


Flashing the Exciter

If the exciter shunt resistor passes the above tests and inspection, you can try “flashing” the exciter to try to restore its residual magnetism. This is done by briefly shorting terminals E1 and E2 together with a section of wire and a 2A fuse; the use of a push button to safely control the process is highly recommended. Check the voltage across E1 and E2 after each try and see if it’s returning. Normally it’s only necessary to flash the exciter a few times to restore the magnetism. Flashing won’t work, however, if there is no voltage between E1 and E2.


Using a Battery to Jump Start the Exciter

If exciter won’t respond to flashing, it’s time to try jump starting the exciter with an external DC power source, such as car battery or a 9V alkaline battery. To protect the battery from the exciter and vise versa, we need to use a common diode in series with the battery. A 1N4004 diode (1A, 400PIV), available from Amazon (link) or your favorite electronic supplier will do the trick. A set of test leads with alligator clips is all you need for hookup.

Connect the diode to the battery’s positive terminal with the stripe (which indicates polarity) away from the battery. Connect the diode to exciter wire #3. Wire #3 (which is labeled ‘F’ on my machine) stays connected to the generator (there’s no need to do more than remove the insulating tape to get to the splice between the exciter and generator wires). Make sure that the wires from the exciter and generator are hooked back up to terminal E2, but leave E1 disconnected for now. When you’re ready to go, connect the battery’s negative terminal to exciter wire E1 (the exciter’s negative lead).

Start the MG and monitor the voltage across E1 and E2. If the procedure works, the exciter voltage should begin to climb immediately. As soon as the voltage across the shunt field exceeds the battery voltage the diode will disconnect the battery from the circuit and prevent voltage from the exciter from trying to overcharge the battery.

If the exciter voltage doesn’t climb to something close to 115 VDC, you can try flashing the exciter, as discussed above. Don’t forget to disconnect the battery before you try flashing the exciter!

Thanks to hitandmiss Bill for reading this over and giving me some great suggestions!
 
Last edited:
It has been a very long time since I worked on 10EE's. I worked on some with a DC motor and big vacuum tube drives.

I seem to remember that they have a field loss relay that will prevent the motor from over speeding.

My understanding is that as the field voltage decreases, the armature voltage increases

causing the motor to spin faster. At some minimum threshold field voltage the relay will kick out and the motor won't turn.

I don't know if this is relevant to your issue.
 
It has been a very long time since I worked on 10EE's. I worked on some with a DC motor and big vacuum tube drives.

I seem to remember that they have a field loss relay that will prevent the motor from over speeding.

My understanding is that as the field voltage decreases, the armature voltage increases

causing the motor to spin faster. At some minimum threshold field voltage the relay will kick out and the motor won't turn.

I don't know if this is relevant to your issue.
Thanks for the tip.

This model of 10EE uses a motor/generator (MG) to drive the DC spindle motor. The DC exciter provides the voltage for the fields of the spindle motor and DC generator as well as powering the relays in the DC control panel. In this case the exciter isn't putting out voltage so nothing runs.

Monarch didn't use a field loss relay on the MG machines. I guess they figured that the only way they would loose field is if the exciter failed, in which case the generator would also loose field and stop providing voltage to the spindle motor armature, plus the forward or reverse contactor coil would loose voltage and open.

Cal
 
Cal
You have done the community a big service with this thread.
It may be worthwhile to point out that if the lathe has not been operated for time, this problem can pretty much be expected. The exciter WILL loose residual magnetism if not run. Stand-by generators often incorporate a circuit that flashes the field coils because they are expected to go without running for months. I understand that even the behemoth generators in commercial power stations sometimes need help from a lantern battery to get started.

Paul
 
Paul,

Thanks for the kind words. It was your success with the battery jump start that was the inspiration.

What terminals did you use when you jump started your exciter?

A buddy of mine who is an industrial electrician and maintains a lot of DC machines told me that some exciters never need to be flashed, a few others need it every time they are started. It's his impression that exciters that have been rewound seem to need to be flashed more often than those with original windings. The exciter on my 10EE sat for about 6 years and fired right up without flashing, so I'm sure it varies.

Cal
 
A historical note ...

The T4 terminal on that terminal block is intended for a two-phase 10EE.

Eventually, the four-terminal motor is converted to a three-terminal motor at the contactor.

Two-phase 10EEs are very rare, and are usually found in and around Niagara Falls, ON and Niagara Falls, NY, Buffalo, NY, Philadelphia and Reading, both in PA, and Camden, NJ.
 
Paul,

Thanks for the kind words. It was your success with the battery jump start that was the inspiration.

Cal, with the amount of support you dole out on this forum, the appropriate words would be enough kinder to be downright embarrassing.
I and many others owe you quite a debt of gratitude. 27264 is humming like a top. I LOVE this machine.

What terminals did you use when you jump started your exciter?

Ah... Speaking of embarrassing, I'm not quite sure I remember. But I'm pretty sure that I put the battery in parallel with the series field by connecting to E1 and the brush holder from the series field. It seemed to make sense at the time in the fatigued state I was in. It may be that I actually flashed the armature. Anyway, it worked. Any recollection that made through the ensuing flush of joy and champagne should not be taken too literally!

A buddy of mine who is an industrial electrician and maintains a lot of DC machines told me that some exciters never need to be flashed, a few others need it every time they are started. It's his impression that exciters that have been rewound seem to need to be flashed more often than those with original windings. The exciter on my 10EE sat for about 6 years and fired right up without flashing, so I'm sure it varies.

Wow! I guess it does vary. I thought I was beginning to understand the matter. Clearly a newbie's delusion of adequacy. I'm better now.
Keep up the good work!

Paul
 
If I want to bench test a piggyback MG without the DC control panel etc. How do I need to connect the exciter output to the generator?

I assume it's output is connected across GF1 and GF2 per the drawing in the first post above.
 
A tip of the hat to you Cal! We've got our second Monarch up and running (the first didn't need much help). The flashing of the exciter was all it took and she's humming beautifully.

Thanks for all the great work you all do!
 
Cal, sorry to trouble you but the "link" isn't working for me (let's see if my attempt at a quote worked):
To verify that the resistor and its wiring are OK, disconnect the wires connected to MG terminal strip position E2 and check the resistance between the slider and the opposite terminal of the resistor (look above the generator's commutator, below the exciter: link).

Ron
 
Cal, sorry to trouble you but the "link" isn't working for me (let's see if my attempt at a quote worked):
...
To verify that the resistor and its wiring are OK, disconnect the wires connected to MG terminal strip position E2 and check the resistance between the slider and the opposite terminal of the resistor (look above the generator's commutator, below the exciter: link). ...
Ron
Here's the image:
36839d1312284504-43-ee-will-only-turn-1250-a-mg-unit.jpg


Cal
 
Cal Haines: Here's the image.

Thanks (one day I'll figure out how to tell when Tapatalk is really telling me there's a new post)!

Ron
 








 
Back
Top