Wurlitzer 44 Organ Surgery- Help Revive!!!

[Guest]

I recently acquired this antique organ, and am anxious to get it running again ( I was able to play it for one day at least...). While powering on I smelled burn electronics and immediately turned the organ off. Upon opening her up, I found that the power supply fuse (for the motor) was out (the power amp still functions). I tried the motor in an external outlet, and at first wouldn't even complete a single revolution. A few minutes later I tried it again, and the motor spun. I thought to check the capacitors, as I hear they give out and let high voltage to the path of least resistance, which rarely ends well. I was not lucky enough to find any fried electronics.
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Does any one have any helpful information to help this antique live a bit longer? I am going to dismantle the motor to check for damage, but if that proves fruitless, I have no clue as to a next step.
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[OrgansR4Me]

Re: Wurlitzer 44 Organ Surgery- Help Revive!!!

See the post http://organforum.com/forums/post/51170.aspxfor information on the Wurlitzer experts.

[Guest]

Re: Wurlitzer 44 Organ Surgery- Help Revive!!!



New info: the motor that spins the reeds in the reed chest has burned, which is causing the fuse to the power supply to short. Does anyone know where to get a replacement motor? Also, if the motor burned, should i be concerned about the reed chest components, maybe the gearbox? I do not want to open the reed chest if i don't have to, but I will if there is reason to.
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[bluetantra]

Re: Wurlitzer 44 Organ Surgery- Help Revive!!!

Lookfor a business locally that services and rewinds electric motors; it's unlikely that you'd find a replacement motor easily. Parts inside the reed chest should be OK. I think the 44 has some type of coupling between the motor and blower rather than an actual gearbox,but it wouldn't hurt to give it a once-over.

[Guest]

Re: Wurlitzer 44 Organ Surgery- Help Revive!!!

Thanks for the rewinding tip, I wasn't aware that was an option. I am not sure how the motor/blower connection, but I am worried the motor may have spun too fast and possibly damaged the blower or any components. Is that possible?

[Guest]

Re: Wurlitzer 44 Organ Surgery- Help Revive!!!



The Emerson motor in my 4602 is going to need a rebuild in the near future as it gets rather hot after a short while. The gearbox needs new oil as well. I'm not sure if your 44 is the older style transmission like mine, but you may consider doing the same.  </p>

[Guest]

Re: Wurlitzer 44 Organ Surgery- Help Revive!!!



From your maintenance video on youtube, my organ is nearly identical, minus the perc. unit. Any info on reed chest maintenance you may have I would greatly appreciate. My organ seems to have been neglected for over a decade, and I hope get her back where she should be.</p>

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[Guest]

Re: Wurlitzer 44 Organ Surgery- Help Revive!!!



Here is what I believe has happened to my organ: The gearbox (inside the reed chest) was drier than the tinman. This caused physical resistance on the the motor that spins it. The motor burned, not to death, but enough to continually blow a fuse.</p>

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The motor spun freely when plugged into an outlet and disconnected from the organ. I opened the reed chest to access the gearbox. I cleaned out what may have been graphite or other powdered lube and replaced with oil. The organ works perfectly except that the motor only works when plugged into an external outlet, as the fuse will trip in the organ.So Wurlitzer ES Organ owners, OIL YOUR GEARBOXES! </p>

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Now to replace the motor...</p>

eventually...
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[Guest]

Wurlitzer 44 Organ Motor blows fuse, works with extension cord fine

I know this is a VERY old thread, but hello from the future, where I, too have an inherited model 44 which did exactly as described...the 5 Amp fuse for the motor blows. I too plugged the motor in separately and it runs the blower fine, (the amp works fine) so plugging an extension cord into a fused power strip and then the motor makes the organ work fine! Sounds great, but I know this workaround with 2 cords to keep from blowing the fuse in the Organ isn't probably good for long-term. I am truly unenlightened in the operation of this Organ, and without a manual a bit fearful of opening the reed chest, but I guess this must be my next step? The fuse still blows when plugged into the Organ itself. There are penciled notes on the reed chest "Oiled-and 1955, 1956 (year I was born!), 1957, 1960" I imagine that is when my inlaws bought the Organ-about 1960-61 or so. Do I open the reed chest? Any info on how, and what to expect? I hope someone in the know finds this....help! :-) -Nick

[tucsondave]

Maybe this will help.

td

[Guest]

Again, old thread, I know. I just started the disassembly process of the organ above (btw, I am the spouse of Nick Griffin Miller, who posted about a year ago!), but ran into a curious difference between my model 44 and the model 44 reed box info posted by tucsondave. Incidentally, I do have the manual, it was located after Nick made the above post.
The difference is that my reed box has a metal box on top of it, not the structure shown in the diagram.
As a new member of the forum, I cannot yet post attachments - but when I can, I will do so. Perhaps someone can explain what I'm looking at and how to complete the reed box removal!