84 Blackface restoration and questions log

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I am starting this so I can benefit from the collective knowledge of the centuries worth of experience on here and with these machines also I would like and keep track of my progress as I go ......I am restoring a 1984 SA200 blackface code 8916serial A-1029744I have serviced the engine and found it to be in top shape so no rebuild on it just routine maintenance and new paint.Now moving onto the generator I would like to make this machine as close to the welding characteristics of a short hood or red as I possibly can. I know I am too new to welding to really be able to appreciate the differences between an aluminum wound vs a copper wound , but I don't want to tear it down again anytime soon (if I can avoid it) ya see, the old man I worked side by side with for years, ran a short hood, and he swears there is no other machine that welds. He would get so damn mad if he had to run someone else machine he'd throw the stinger down and say f&%k it "I might as well just use a f&*kin caulking gun" .First question is, are there any other aluminum coils i should replace while i have it tore down? I have just ordered copper shunts with Arc Force from Hybriweld.com to replace the aluminum shunts. The exciter coils are new looking and all copper so no need to replace. Q1) Are Tom Fowler's 5 or 7 range series coils worth the buck or should I even bother replacing the series coils?Q2) Are the interpole coils aluminum?  And if so should I replace them as well ? I guess these are my first questions and I will post more pictures as I go along I just painted all the panels black at a friends shop and am going to pick them up later I will post pictures tonight.
Reply:copper holds heat better.  but there are a ton of aluminum wound machines out there welding side by side with short hoods and red faces.  I dunno much about the arc force from Fowler but I bet it wasn't cheap.  install it and use it. not a purchase I would've made but heck, if you have it, install it and tell us what you think.
Reply:What's the point of your project?  Are you trying to get a machine ready for the field or a restoration for fun? If it's a money maker for you is it your main machine or a back up, and how long can you afford for the machine to be down? If you want it to weld like a red face or short hood then get one of those. "I know I am too new to welding to really be able to appreciate the differences between an aluminum wound vs a copper wound" If the engine is sound and the generator will weld I wouldn't split it to replace any thing that isn't broken, spend the money you save by not fixing what isn't broken on needed tools and supplies. Are you the original owner? If not the coils may have already been replaced. I have no experience with the Fowler kit but there has been a lot of rod burned in the last 70 years on sa200s without it. Good luck on your project and keep us posted, especially if you go the Fowler route.
Reply:Originally Posted by lincweldcopper holds heat better.  but there are a ton of aluminum wound machines out there welding side by side with short hoods and red faces.  I dunno much about the arc force from Fowler but I bet it wasn't cheap.  install it and use it. not a purchase I would've made but heck, if you have it, install it and tell us what you think.
Reply:Originally Posted by gundog77What's the point of your project?  Are you trying to get a machine ready for the field or a restoration for fun? If it's a money maker for you is it your main machine or a back up, and how long can you afford for the machine to be down?
Reply:Has anyone installed the Fowler 7 selector and possibly have instructions or wiring diagram
Reply:could anyone tell me the top welding consumable producers in the EU? Also why have Chinese welding materials not been so popular in the region.
Reply:Originally Posted by paradox78Has anyone installed the Fowler 7 selector and possibly have instructions or wiring diagram
Reply:im excited!I have hybriweld shunts but no arc-force, the 7-selector should be fun to read about!don't leave us in the dark! keep us posted!bosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:Here are some pictures of the restore so far. The next step is figuring out how to wire the 7 selector kit and arc force to the interpole coils and brush holders... anyone know or have any ideas?????
Reply:here are the coils already pressed in but I dont know how to wire them since there are seven ranges now and more wires
Reply:im not going to make any guesses on how the fowler set up is, but on my machine, I bought a newer stator housing that had double the wires from my old stator housing.  Come to find out, there was 2 wires for each gear.  I ended up putting one wire on one side of the selector lug and the other wire on the other side.  I was told the newer machines have this setup as oppose to the red faces with the 5 wires- one for each gear.
Reply:Well the machine lives again its all setup and burns rod really well. I do have a little problem maintaining a long arc though. As long as I keep a very short arc it runs fine but if I come off the work piece very much at all it go out . Any ideas?
Reply:awesome! maybe turn down arc-force or turn up your fine control?bosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin