AFCA Forums > Antique Fan Collectors Association > Buy-Sell-Trade > Antique P.E. Chapman Electric Company St. Louis Growler For Fan Motors
AFCA Forums > Antique Fan Collectors Association > Buy-Sell-Trade > Antique P.E. Chapman Electric Company St. Louis Growler For Fan Motors | |
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Stefan Osdene AFCA Member 
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Antique P.E. Chapman growler for motor repairs. The perfect companion for your Emerson fan. Appears complete except for one missing screw. Untested. Asking $65 plus shipping. SOLD. Attached Image (viewed 4816 times): Last edited on Sat Mar 7th, 2015 04:04 pm by Stefan Osdene |
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Stefan Osdene AFCA Member
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Second Image. Attached Image (viewed 3219 times): |
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Stefan Osdene AFCA Member
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Third Image. Attached Image (viewed 3270 times): |
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Cory Baughn Guest 
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Can I ask what it does in motor repair? I am intrigued to say the least! **** I did research and found out how it works. Neat piece for sure. Last edited on Sat Mar 7th, 2015 02:04 am by Cory Baughn |
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Stefan Osdene AFCA Member
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Chapman led the industry in the production of growlers for testing motor windings. Their location in St. Louis and proximity to Emerson, Wagner, Century, Valley, Baldor, and other manufacturers created a great market for their products. They also made motor winding equipment, much of which Emerson used to produce their fan motors. |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member 
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Thanks Stefan, As mentioned and pictured before, P. E. Chapman invented the growler, and practically every motor manufacturer in the world used his winding machines, because they were responsible for 80% of all motors made. It just closed a few years ago and Warren and I were at the auction and won and were given many things. Repeating myself but I still have the prototype Emerson winding machine that he used. It was half buried in the dirt floor of their basement. I don't know what to do with all of their wood and metal printing blocks. He was a buddy of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, camped with them and helped develop the first electrical systems for the auto industry. Some of the pieces we got were experimental and never went into production. I'm fortunate to have won at another auction (Bradford Electric of East St. Louis), a complete working winding machine of Chapman's. I see many of his motor vices in use by some of our members. One day while visiting, the phone rang and the then owner was asked by someone from the Middle East for a part that had finally worn out. This rarely happened because they were so heavily overdesigned and made. I heard him say "we'll ship it tomorrow". They kept very close records of every machine ever sold, and bought them back and reconditioned them whenever possible. After Mr. Chapman died his employees, some in their 90's, just kept coming to work until a new buyer was found who was a retired gentleman from Anheuser-Bush. His son is an artist and had no interest in keeping the company, so it was liquidated. Sorry for the repetition, but I think I have added a few more memories. I won't bother everyone with a bunch of photos unless someone like Larry wants them. |
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William Dunlap AFCA Member 
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I understood that the term "Growler" referred to the sound these gadgets make while in operation. The tag on this suggest that might not be the case. I've used them before, but much larger bench mounted types. Very handy if you have a lot of armatures to test. Cheers,Bill |
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Don Tener Guest 
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Bill Hoehn wrote: I won't bother everyone with a bunch of photos unless someone like Larry wants them.I think photos would be great. I would like to see the machines you are talking about. |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Hello William, I just lost my reply so I'll try again. The larger bench model growlers were first made by the Martindale Electric Co. of Cleveland Ohio. Mr. Chapman told me about their early lawsuit in which part of the settlement was that Chapman would make only the small handheld units and Martindale only the bench models. The Chapman uses the vibrating metal "finger" and works very well. I have the original instructions somewhere. The Armature Rewinding Co., Inc. of 3301 Washington Blvd., St Louis, Mo. also made a small bench model, but called it an Armature Tester instead of a growler. Last edited on Mon Mar 9th, 2015 02:04 am by Bill Hoehn |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Don, The winding machine is large and heavy. I'll post photos sometime. George Durbin was thinking about stopping today and I could have used him, again, but he couldn't make it. Did you warn him of the work? |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Don, Here is the Chapman like Stefan's with a ruler for perspective; Attached Image (viewed 2704 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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The Martindale with movable "jaws" for different size armatures; Attached Image (viewed 2768 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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& the Armature Tester. Attached Image (viewed 2768 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Went out to charge the '69 Dodge Daytona and Magnum SRT-8 and took a few pictures of the Chapman winding machine. They are cluttered because some of these motors weigh 400 # +. The big green machine is the Chapman---not the Daytona! Attached Image (viewed 2787 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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The top half; Attached Image (viewed 2805 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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& the tag. Attached Image (viewed 2675 times): |
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Don Tener Guest
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Bill Hoehn wrote: The top half;It would be cool to see it working. Thanks for posting the pics. |
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Russ Huber AFCA Member 
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Russ Huber AFCA Member
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Russ Huber AFCA Member
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Russ Huber AFCA Member
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Russ Huber AFCA Member
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Peerless Electric Co. of Warren, OH. Attached Image (viewed 2760 times): |
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Russ Huber AFCA Member
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https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US709179.pdf |
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Russ Huber AFCA Member
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Electric Light and Power - Volume 3 - Page 217 1925 - Snippet viewChapman Internal Growler STATORS from fan sizes up to 50 hp. can be tested by the Chapman internal growler, introduced by the P. E. Chapman Electrical Vorks, 1820 Chouteau Ave., St. Louis, M0. The device will also test armatures. The growler in the patent image was introduced to the market in 31. Chapman had an armature tester prior to 31. Attached Image (viewed 2688 times): Last edited on Mon Mar 9th, 2015 07:55 am by Russ Huber |
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Stefan Osdene AFCA Member
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Bill and Russ: thanks for sharing the historical background on P.E. Chapman. Much appreciated! |
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Don Tener Guest
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Stefan Osdene wrote: Bill and Russ: thanks for sharing the historical background on P.E. Chapman. Much appreciated!Ditto |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Going to try scanning some old photos of Chapman's and a couple of fan related postcards first. Many of our old-timer's will remember Acme Electric. They were located where the arch is now. Attached Image (viewed 2575 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Another postcard. Attached Image (viewed 2516 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Back to the serious business. This is the prototype Emerson motor used by P. E. Chapman to develop his first winding machine. Note the bicycle chain from the late 1800s to drive the counter. This was gear driven in his final machines. Attached Image (viewed 2631 times): Last edited on Wed Mar 11th, 2015 03:55 am by Bill Hoehn |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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It was right side up in my scan! The nameplate. Attached Image (viewed 2496 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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And my Sterling descriptive plate. Attached Image (viewed 2504 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Next are a few printing blocks, a piece off a winding machine and a light socket which hung from the ceiling of Chapman Electric. I have never seen another like it. I always admired it when I visited, and when they closed the owner gave it to me. It is ingenious in that it pulls the chain straight out of the socket when the string was pulled. I hope someone can tell me about it so I don't have to clean it to find out! Attached Image (viewed 2551 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Some of Chapman's literature showing a few of their products. Note the U. S. Government literature holders---WW II? Attached Image (viewed 2533 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Lastly, at least for now, one of their winding "heads". It weighs about 20 # and shows the extremely heavy construction for winding the fine wire used in stators and armatures for our fan motors. Attached Image (viewed 2512 times): |
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Charlie Forster Guest 
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I have one like the top pictures P.E. Chapman type 9225 internal -external on the handle I used it on the Robbins & Myers fan I had to re insulate the stator earlier this yr. I have a very early bench model that so far I could find no name on it . It has the white porcelain bulb socket and switch on it must be from the 20's era it has 120 volt continuity test probes that the handles are wood. if any one would be interested I can get some pictures. here is one on ebay that is very similar, this one looks to have Bakelite bulb socket and switch . http://www.ebay.com/itm/Primitive-Antique-Growler-Armature-Tester-Electrical-Testing-Device-T9-/221701984331?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339e77d04b. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ARMATURE-GROWLER-110-VOLT-TRIPLE-A-SPECIALTY-CO-/371273450252?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56719f430c the way these looks on ebay I wouldn't be afraid to use them. I am in no way connected to the sellerS. Last edited on Wed Mar 11th, 2015 08:18 am by Charlie Forster |
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Cory Baughn Guest
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Bill Hoehn wrote: Next are a few printing blocks, a piece off a winding machine and a light socket which hung from the ceiling of Chapman Electric. I have never seen another like it. I always admired it when I visited, and when they closed the owner gave it to me. It is ingenious in that it pulls the chain straight out of the socket when the string was pulled. I hope someone can tell me about it so I don't have to clean it to find out! So the chain comes out of that little arm sticking out? What is the curved part of it? Having a hard time wrapping my head around how that socket is put together. I would definitely clean it up though to the point of being useable (although don't remove the patina) and hang that thing up somewhere around the house. A nice shop or a "man cave" (I hate that phrase and hate using it) would be the best place to me. I'd hang the thing in my room though.  |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Cory, I see someone else has trouble sleeping! That light socket works, and was in use when he gave it to me. The pull string goes in the curved end and the pivot is the other end (straight) of the same piece, causing the chain to come straight out when pulled. I'll picture if wanted! We need the third sleepless "Musketeer", Russ, to join us with the patents!!! Last edited on Wed Mar 11th, 2015 11:09 am by Bill Hoehn |
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Cory Baughn Guest
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Yes sir! I am a night owl, I can never sleep. Ever. And I would love some pictures. I think that is such a neat socket. |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Hi Cory, First with the chain pulled; Attached Image (viewed 2473 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Next with a little "crud" removed (sorry---"patina"); Shows PAT PEND and the "glow in the dark" end of the pull cord---probably irradiated---not working now. Attached Image (viewed 2473 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Disassembled reveals it to be nickel plated and the grommet is Bakelite. The usual "PRESS" is visible and various numbers but no maker---yet. Attached Image (viewed 778 times): |
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David Hoatson Guest 
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Bill Hoehn wrote: Next are a few printing blocks, a piece off a winding machine and a light socket which hung from the ceiling of Chapman Electric. I have never seen another like it. I always admired it when I visited, and when they closed the owner gave it to me. It is ingenious in that it pulls the chain straight out of the socket when the string was pulled. I hope someone can tell me about it so I don't have to clean it to find out! I have seen several varieties of this kind of chain pull on eBay. The purpose was to extend the chain past the shade. Attached Image (viewed 741 times): |
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David Hoatson Guest
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Here is a Hubbell patent: Attached Image (viewed 694 times): |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Thanks David, Now, Who made it? Without the extension in your picture, I thought the purpose was to make it work better with the straight pull. I have replaced many that pull at a 90 degree angle. Just found your patent. Thanks again. Last edited on Wed Mar 11th, 2015 02:50 pm by Bill Hoehn |
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David Hoatson Guest
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I think yours is a Hubbell: http://antiquesockets.com/hubbell.html |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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David, I had no idea such information is available. I have trunks full of this early stuff with hundreds or thousands of variations. About every 10 years I try to sort it out a little. Doubt if I'll do it again though! 84 next month! |
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David Hoatson Guest
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I admire the early electrical designs. It's amazing that these things still work fine after more that 100 years. |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Last one for now David, Just putting away some Edison base screw in plugs. Found 16 brands and some unmarked plus over 64 varieties. They include Arrow, Beaver, Benjamin, Best, Bryant, C-H, Chi. Ill. Elec., G.E., Magnus, Mueller, P&S, Polar Cub, Stuart, T.E.C., U.E. and Yost. Attached Image (viewed 684 times): |
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David Hoatson Guest
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Looks like the Noah's ark of screw attachment plugs - two of every plug ever made! On eBay, you could get about $15 each. |
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David Hoatson Guest
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A good way to date sockets - The Nat'l Electrical Code specifies what data has to be stamped on the outer brass shell: pre-1899 no required markings, usually says something like "Edison Patents" 1900-1909 Candle Power (C.P.) and Volts marked on shell 1910+ Watts (W) and Volts marked on shell The shade holder (fitter) clamps over a raised ring on the socket or threads onto the socket. The threads (UNO threads) were first used in 1914. |
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Charlie Forster Guest
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These new sockets don't last long enough to get them out of the package . the wire in some of today's table lamps is smaller than bell wire. China stuff dosen't have to meet ul approve. |
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Bill Hoehn AFCA Member
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Thanks David for the dating info. No Noah's Ark selection here. Everyone pictured is different. Duplicates are in boxes and large trunks. Quite a bit of NOS. |
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David Hoatson Guest
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Bill Hoehn wrote: Thanks David for the dating info.Your picture is going to make the guys who hoard plugs start drooling. |
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Chad Hunter AFCA Member
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David Hoatson wrote:Your picture is going to make the guys who hoard plugs start drooling. His picture of attachment plugs are making me drool. Bill if you want to sell any doubles let me know. |
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