European Leslie Model 16

[David Anderson]

I've run across something I've never encountered before, a Leslie Model 16 that was originally purchased in Germany and is marked for 234V on the back panel (apparently marketed through Hohner). It has a step-up transformer mounted inside next to the interface box supplying 230VAC to the box.

I haven't had time to get into it yet, but I was wondering which parts of it run on 234V. The transformer powering the relay? The motors?

I was under the general impression that Euro Leslies used stepped-down power to run the motors at US voltages.

[Drawbar Dave]

My rule of thumb was that the old tube Leslies in Europe gave the US spec motors 117vac and that the solid state models had 234vac motors. This has been the case for the 10 or so Leslie’s I’ve owned in Europe however another forum member, tobeycat I believe said this was wrong. I imagine this is an unanswerable question given the various Hammond concessions that sprung up in Europe back in the day. Sorry my answer is only based on personal experience :-/

[David Anderson]

In this 1969 Model 16, the motors are indeed 230V motors, but I have one additional question:

Was there a difference in pulley size?

If the motors were the same except for voltage rating, they would run more slowly at 50Hz, but a larger pulley on the motor shaft would compensate.

I don't have a 60Hz unit available for comparison, but the pulley on the Euro model has a diameter in the belt groove of 1.37", while another pulley I have has a diameter in the belt groove of 1.25".

So, should I put the smaller pulley on this Leslie for use at 60Hz with the 230V step-up transformer mounted in it?