Hi folks, this is not a problem, per se, but it is bugging me.</p>
My 1958 M-3 has three oil reservoirs. The two on left and right empty into funnels attached to the tone generator, which makes sense, but the middle reservoir has no funnel below it.</p>
As far as I can tell, the middle reservoir does not even drain. After oiling the organ for the first time in many years (I just got it as a gift), the left & right reservoirs emptied quickly but a week later the middle one is still full of oil.</p>
Mr. Benton has put together some of the most helpful information on the 'net about Hammonds on his site. Have you removed the fiberboard cover from the top of the generator to check for any obstructions? Another very informative site is HammondWiki: http://www.dairiki.org/HammondWiki/. Welcome to the madness.</P>
Thanks for the Benton link (I was aware of the HW).</p>
Yes, I removed the fiberboard cover -- that's how I discovered there are only 2 funnels beneath the L/R reservoirs -- and no, there is no visible obstruction to the middle reservoir, although the certainly must be since the oil refuses to drain out of it. But again, that seems like a good thing, since it appears as if the oil would otehrwise just drizzle all over the top of the TG. That can't be right, can it?</p>
Oil drains from the funnels into a trough running the length of the generator and lined with a felt pad. A network of cotton threads wicks the oil from the trough to the moving parts of the generator. There's lots of discussion about why you should use only Hammond oil all over the internet. Another great information resource is the HammondZone group on Yahoo!.
Looking from the back of the organ, there are three "caps" that cover three funnels that are built into the generator cover. This allows oiling the motor and generator without removing the cover. The two on the right (bass end) go to the generator while the one on the left (treble end) goes to the motor. These are just funnels and do not stay full. The generator has two funnels under the cover funnels that again do not stay full, but drain into the generator trough. The motor has an oiling tub (under the left most cover funnel) that in fact does not drain off.</p>
Oiling the generator is actually better to do with the cover off. That's the only way to see if it has or needs oil. On the left, the motor oiling tub has a felt laying in it and you can see strings coming off the felt going to various bearings. This felt should be moist only. No standing oil here. If you have over filled it, take a paper towel and soak some out.</p>
The generator funnels have no visual way to show that the generator has enough oil. Instead, I look at the motor shaft that goes into the end of the generator. There is a felt that lays on top of the shaft. See if that felt is moist. If so, you have plenty of oil. If not, you may need to add some. Understand that it takes a week or more for added oil to get where it's going. You can also check the felt on the other end where the start motor is located. We just want moist felts.</p>
It's possible to have a missing funnel. In that case, you have to oil it way more carefully. Still can be done.
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A generator can run fairly dry but if you get squealing, you have dry bearings and it should be shut down and oiled. You may even have to directly oil any offending bearings. (topic for another post!)</p>
The generator has two funnels under the cover funnels that again do not stay full, but drain into the generator trough. The motor has an oiling tub (under the left most cover funnel) that in fact does not drain off...On the left, the motor oiling tub has a felt laying in it and you can see strings coming off the felt going to various bearings.</p>
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OK now I am properly oriented, thanks. It's now clear that I am not missing either of the 2 funnels that drain into the generator (one of the cover funnels is clogged, though) — I am missing the motor oiling tub!</p>
Directly under the leftmost cover funnel, where you'd expect to see the oiling tub, there's nothing but a brass screw:</p>
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Guess I do have a problem, huh? Why would someone remove the oiling tub? And more to the point, where do I get one?
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Synchronous motor/vibrato scanner assemblies like this come up on ebay often. I don't know that I've ever seen just the tub, though. A spare motor wouldn't be bad to have, though.
This auction is for a Hammond oil reservoir, which is used in conjunction with the vibrato scanner, part # AO-21869-1, and the motor. Free Shipping! </P></BLOCKQUOTE>
Better get it while it lasts... 11 hours... I'm sure he'll repost it ;) Only $4.99 with free shipping....</P>
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thekennel.... here's a link for an M-3 oil reservoir...</p>
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Ha ha, thanks Noah! As it happens, I had already bid before you posted -- and I won it for $7.50. Thanks for pitching in! Now all I need to do is figure out to mount the darn thing, with the oil threads and all...be brave, Jim, be brave...
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You're going to have to determine if the original threads are still there. Likely not. You will have to run a thread from each bearing on the scanner and motor to the tub. They pass through the copper tubes into the reservoir. Then, carefully wrap the threads around the rectangular felt. There should be a retaining flat piece of metal that squeezes into the tub and holds the felt down. Looking at the tub, you will notice a much longer tube on one side. Cut it down with some side cutters. It should not be able to go into the scanner. This was an update made in the field. Once cut, just pass the string that was going thru it into the other shorter tube next to it.</p>
You're going to have to determine if the original threads are still there. Likely not. You will have to run a thread from each bearing on the scanner and motor to the tub. They pass through the copper tubes into the reservoir. Then, carefully wrap the threads around the rectangular felt. There should be a retaining flat piece of metal that squeezes into the tub and holds the felt down. Looking at the tub, you will notice a much longer tube on one side. Cut it down with some side cutters. It should not be able to go into the scanner. This was an update made in the field. Once cut, just pass the string that was going thru it into the other shorter tube next to it.</p>
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Thanks George! I don't see any threads hanging around the motor. From the photo on eBay, I think the tub I just bought has threads, but who knows what condition they are in. I read somewhere that ordinary white cotton sewing thread will serve as a substitute, yes?</p>
Is there a diagram somewhere that illustrates what I need to do?
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