Hammond T-211 help

[Dan Deaton]

I just purchased a well used T-211. Right now the tone generator is very noisy. I am waiting on some Hammond Oil to address this. It has some other problems that I want to fix. There doesn't seem to be any audio signal to the built in Leslie speaker. When I switch the speaker on...volume to the main speakers drops but no sound from the Leslie speaker. Also when I switch on the Vibrato tab...all audio cuts out (no sound) Any advice on this or other T-211 tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Papus]

Is there a brown coloured drum roughly the size of a toilet roll behind the motor? - if so, there should be a belt connecting it to a pulley on the back end of the motor. That's the chorus/vibrato scanner, it needs to turn to produce vibrato.
Remove the back cover and check that the Leslie is spinning, if it isn't then check the round multi-pin plug is connected at the bottom left corner of the Leslie mechanism (as you look at the rear of the organ).
Volume drop on the main speakers is normal when the Leslie is engaged - some of the bass continues to be routed to the main speakers, the rest goes to the Leslie.

[Dan Deaton]

Are you referring to the Tone Generator motor for the vibrato scanner? If so, I don't see one. Also the Leslie is spinning and responds correctly to Fast, Slow switch...just no sound from the speaker itself. Could be blown Speaker? At this point I am avoiding running the organ too much until I get the Tone Generator oil. Should have it by Friday this week. Thank you for responding.

[Papus]

Are you referring to the Tone Generator motor for the vibrato scanner? If so, I don't see one. Also the Leslie is spinning and responds correctly to Fast, Slow switch...just no sound from the speaker itself. Could be blown Speaker? At this point I am avoiding running the organ too much until I get the Tone Generator oil. Should have it by Friday this week. Thank you for responding.

If there is no brown drum behind the TWG motor then you probably have a pie scanner at the opposite end of the TWG, it is difficult to access but you could check to see if the pie scanner is stuck.

Also: IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTIFICATION -
The motor run capacitor is the large metal canister in front of the motor. If it is the original cap, it will be filled with toxic (lethal) PCB oil.
These capacitors are getting on 50+ years old and are prone to bulging and exploding, sending PCB oil and burnt paper soaked in oil everywhere, plus toxic smoke.
Symptoms of a failing cap are wavering pitch, or the organ running flat in pitch.
Individual wavering or flat tones are a different problem associated with mechanical issues in individual tone wheels, but if the entire organ runs flat or wavering then you almost certainly have a bad motor run cap.

YOU SHOULD CHANGE THE CAP IMMEDIATELY.

If you are in 110V-Land, you should be able to obtain a new replacement cap from one of the online Hammond & Leslie stores.
Ensure you match the capacitance labeled on the original cap and on the motor. Too low a value and the motor won't turn over fully, or may run slow and place great strain on it. Too high can burn out the windings.

DO NOT INSTALL A "NEW" OLD CAPACITOR - buy a NEW unit.

If you're in 220V-Land, you'll need to hunt around for the right capacitance.
Unfortunately the 220V motors require a non-standard capacitance by modern standards, I had to double up on two caps to obtain the correct value.
Modern ceiling fan run capacitors are generally suitable.
Note that you want a MOTOR RUN capacitor, NOT a start capacitor.
The cap is required to pull continuous duty while the motor is running - a start capacitor will NOT suffice.
Now is a good time to change that cap while you await delivery of TWG oil.

Consider doing a naptha flush while you're in there with new oil.

The Leslie speaker might indeed be fried. Any 8" full-range speaker rated for at least 40 watts should work as long as the basket and magnet clears the available space. You'll want to match the impedance so you don't stress the T's amp too much. A full-range speaker with coaxial tweeter will be a fantastic improvement on the stock POS.
The Leslie swings out on hinges on the right-hand side, from there you can inspect the mechanism, speaker and electronics.

If you are interested in converting your T into a fire-breathing beast a bit more like the large console organs then try the modifications on this site:

https://www.keyboardpartner.de/hammond/t-mods.htm

Here's a sample of my T202 with most of the modifications from keyboardpartner.de and a number of modifications from this forum - search T Series, you'll find a ton of information from members like Kon and Brendon.

Disclaimer: I am not a keyboard player!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CyFheCk7MU

Welcome to the T Club!

[tpappano]

HaHa, you do seem to be a keyboard player!
Nice vid!

[Papus]

Thanks! I just mash out crude attempts at Jon Lord tone

[Dan Deaton]

If there is no brown drum behind the TWG motor then you probably have a pie scanner at the opposite end of the TWG, it is difficult to access but you could check to see if the pie scanner is stuck.

Also: IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTIFICATION -
The motor run capacitor is the large metal canister in front of the motor. If it is the original cap, it will be filled with toxic (lethal) PCB oil.
These capacitors are getting on 50+ years old and are prone to bulging and exploding, sending PCB oil and burnt paper soaked in oil everywhere, plus toxic smoke.
Symptoms of a failing cap are wavering pitch, or the organ running flat in pitch.
Individual wavering or flat tones are a different problem associated with mechanical issues in individual tone wheels, but if the entire organ runs flat or wavering then you almost certainly have a bad motor run cap.

YOU SHOULD CHANGE THE CAP IMMEDIATELY.

If you are in 110V-Land, you should be able to obtain a new replacement cap from one of the online Hammond & Leslie stores.
Ensure you match the capacitance labeled on the original cap and on the motor. Too low a value and the motor won't turn over fully, or may run slow and place great strain on it. Too high can burn out the windings.

DO NOT INSTALL A "NEW" OLD CAPACITOR - buy a NEW unit.

If you're in 220V-Land, you'll need to hunt around for the right capacitance.
Unfortunately the 220V motors require a non-standard capacitance by modern standards, I had to double up on two caps to obtain the correct value.
Modern ceiling fan run capacitors are generally suitable.
Note that you want a MOTOR RUN capacitor, NOT a start capacitor.
The cap is required to pull continuous duty while the motor is running - a start capacitor will NOT suffice.
Now is a good time to change that cap while you await delivery of TWG oil.

Consider doing a naptha flush while you're in there with new oil.

The Leslie speaker might indeed be fried. Any 8" full-range speaker rated for at least 40 watts should work as long as the basket and magnet clears the available space. You'll want to match the impedance so you don't stress the T's amp too much. A full-range speaker with coaxial tweeter will be a fantastic improvement on the stock POS.
The Leslie swings out on hinges on the right-hand side, from there you can inspect the mechanism, speaker and electronics.

If you are interested in converting your T into a fire-breathing beast a bit more like the large console organs then try the modifications on this site:

https://www.keyboardpartner.de/hammond/t-mods.htm

Here's a sample of my T202 with most of the modifications from keyboardpartner.de and a number of modifications from this forum - search T Series, you'll find a ton of information from members like Kon and Brendon.

Disclaimer: I am not a keyboard player!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CyFheCk7MU

Welcome to the T Club!

Thank you for all the info. I feel a bit overwhelmed at the moment. First, I got the TWG oil and it's running much quieter now, but still have an intermittent screech. I don't think I have a motor cap problem. Organ does not have a flat or wavering pitch on any notes. One note....this T does have the blue coloured motor. There is a scanner at the right side of the TWG, but I can't see any pulleys...just seems to be driven internally...so can't tell if its stuck. Vibrato still not functioning. When I turn it on all audio cuts out (except for percussion voices- they seem to be working correctly) I did notice a Red wire that comes down on the top side has become disconnected. It has a connector on it but I have been unable to find the pin that it belongs too. I know this is a vague description of it but instinct tells me that wire being disconnected could have something to do with the Vibrato circuit. Again, thanks for the help and info. :)

[Papus]

The red wire is probably crucial to the vibrato circuit.
It could be any number of things..... the signal send to the delay line, or the send or return from the scanner, or the power for the vibrato board.
You'll find the T-Series schematics online, then just hunt around for a vacant pin!

[Dan Deaton]

This is the sound my TWG is making right now. After the screech, a sort of squeeging sound, then quiet normal TWG sound until it screeches and repeat. Anyone like to make a comment? Note everything has been oiled, funnels, motor. Even when sound appears...organ plays normally and quite well. I just discovered that the G# note on the manuals and Bass pedals are not functioning correctly. During the normal TWG sound they are fine, then go flat after the screech. Anybody know which tone wheels are responsible for the G# or Ab note? BTW, I replaced the speaker in the internal Leslie and it is working great...still missing the Vibrato but the Leslie can make up for it. Thanks again for any advice or opinions. :)

[Papus]

Probably stuck tone wheel.
Try doing a naptha flush (instructions are searchable on this forum).
Give it a week or two after flushing and refilling with proper Hammond Oil - the sintered bearings need time to absorb the oil.
If that doesn't fix the screeching then you might need to apply lubricant directly to the offending tonewheel bearing with a syringe.
It's possible one or more of the oiling wicks to the tonewheel bearings has broken.
Sometimes a piece of debris just won't budge, and you'll need to manually wiggle the bearing back and forth to dislodge it.
Other forum members are much more experienced at fixing screeching TWG's than me.

[Dan Deaton]

Just a note to say thanks for all the help on my organ. Finally got all the tone wheels quiet. Other than a couple of drawbars not making good contact its sounding great. Finally found the place for the red wire (it was power for the Vibrato board) Now when you turn it on there's audio but no vibrato. It's okay cause the internal Leslie is working fine. Again, thanks for all the help and if anybody wants to post additional stuff they might know about the T-212, please do so.

[Dan Deaton]

It's me back again with my T-211. Finally got everything working right...and the TWG motor run capacitor failed. I was able to find a replacement and installed it, now the organ plays but is almost a half note flat of standard tuning. Does anyone have any ideas on this. The organ is in tune with itself, but flat to standard. Motor running slow? Can it be adjusted? HELP 😲

[Papus]

Hopefully it didn't explode or leak, sending carcinogenic PCB oil and burnt paper and smoke everywhere.....

[tpappano]

Interesting, if the motor has a capacitor of the correct value, it will run at the correct speed *unless* something is dragging it down, or If there are issues with the motor's bearings limiting the torque it can produce. Did it produce the correct pitch before the original capacitor failed? What were the symptoms when it did fail?

[Dan Deaton]

Interesting, if the motor has a capacitor of the correct value, it will run at the correct speed *unless* something is dragging it down, or If there are issues with the motor's bearings limiting the torque it can produce. Did it produce the correct pitch before the original capacitor failed? What were the symptoms when it did fail?

Thank you so much for the input....but now I have egg all over my face on this one. The culprit is an out of tune piano which I was using to check the organ against. The Hammond is in perfect tune. Wow, I feel like a complete idiot. Sorry 🤪

[Papus]

Glad it resolved itself.
Now do all the Carsten Meyer modifications to unleash the beast which lurks in your T

[Dan Deaton]

Thanks Papus....I really would like to do those mods...but have to hold off for a bit. Thanks again.

[tpappano]

You have a great outcome, doesn't matter so much how you got there 8) I bought a used piano many years ago that was in ‘perfect' tune from the dealer, not to A440, but to A435! It caused me a fair amount of confusion until I found a tuning fork. Could not be pulled up to pitch because the pins would'nt hold, eventually wound up junking it 8)

[KC9UDX]

But you could tune the Hammond to A435 to match!

[tpappano]

I guess that's certainly true, but it was about 1983 when I got rid of the piano (a 1906 Bush & Lane) 8)

[KC9UDX]

I'm guessing this was a spinet/console/upright. I don't lose much sleep over those. 🙃

Yeah in 1983, tuning a Hammond was a little less feasible! (Imagine a motor-generator in your living room!)

[Dan Deaton]

Thanks again all you guys. And no the cap didn't explode, just was leaking a little oil. When it failed, the motor would not start. Now everything is A-OK. I really want to make those modifications mentioned, but I'm holding off for a bit on that. Just happy everything is working again. 😎

[enor]

Just discovered this thread.

Sounds like your scanner is still stuck. Getting it loose isn't difficult, and well worth the effort! Even if the Leslie works, the chorus is a different sort of sound altogether and one of the things the T-series does best .. it's just like the chorus in the M-100.

Don't be lazy. Get in there and get it loose! ;)