PE-75 AE generator
c. 1943 PE-75 AE Power Unit

I recently acquired a very nice PE-75 power unit. This unit has some very interesting insignias and markings. First is the tag that says it was overhauled at the Yokohama Signal Depot in 1955; obviously this unit was overseas.

The PE-75 is a Power Unit or generator in civilian terms. It is a WWII era (The engine serial number makes it circa 1943) generator rated at 120 volts, 60 cycles at 22 amps. It features a Briggs & Stratton model ZZ gasoline engine running at 2200 RPM. The generator is a four pole type and turns at 1800 RPM. If you study the pictures you will note the engine pulley is slightly smaller than the one on the generator.

The second marking is from CAL-NAT in Grass Valley, California and was assigned a serial number that has been lost to time and elements. I have tried to find more information on this military unit but have been unsuccessful. If you have information please write me!

The last tag is this one. I am trying to figure out what the yellow marking to the right of the name plate is.

I am hoping to find more information on this military unit and where it was stationed. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I am in the process of locating a manual for this power unit and hope to find one soon.

After I bought this unit it was time to get it running. I pulled the flywheel and cleaned and checked the points. As I figured they were filthy but otherwise in good condition and the gap was checked and set. After much hammering and reforming the blower housing sheet metal it closed up and held without the flywheel rubbing against the housing.

Cleaned the fuel tank and much rust came out. A new sediment bowl was installed, along with an in-line fuel filter and fuel line. Added fuel to the tank and there is gasoline everywhere. The carb gasket is rotten. My good friend John Fraser came through with a new gasket. Installed and no leaks. Thanks John! It took two pulls and the engine ran and it runs very well. (The final adjustments shall be made when the alternator section is in place and under load.)

Removed the brush cover off the generator and cleaned the brushes, commutator bars and slip rings. De-greased it and installed a new belt. Started the engine and no voltage. Tapped the brushes and still only 2 volts. The field coils are now getting hot and this is not good. There is a short in the field coils or rotor. Searching for a motor rewinding company is easy until you tell them it is for a 1943 generator! Then companies start to shy away.

I found an outfit in Santa Fe Springs, California called Eurton Electric that did not hesitate for an instant when I told them what I had. Their attitude was: "Bring it in! Windings are windings whether it be a motor, or a generator, and we probably have the brushes in stock." These guys had a "can-do" attitude and very well equipped shop; I knew I had found the right place.

Shortly after leaving the generator with them I received a called from Eurton Electric (http://www.eurtonelectric.com) in Santa Fe Springs, CA informing me my generator was ready for pickup. (This is NOT a paid ad... Just a friendly way to say thanks for doing a GREAT job and that they were willing to work on elderly equipment.) They had found the problem and repaired the rotor, cleaned and refinished the commutator and slip rings. It now produces a clean 118 volts AC at 60 cycles!

Above we have three PE-75 Power units for show. From left to right: PE-75 as manufactured by the Leland Electic Company of Cleveland, Ohio, PE-75 A-E, and an unusual model PE-75-J. This model is a 50Hz model and that's about all we know about it. We are not sure why this model was designed as it is rated a 120 volts AC 50 Hertz. These models are owned by: (left to right) John Fraser, Escondido, CA; Ron Foo, Vista, CA; and Erik Groscup, Escondido, CA.

A suitable job was located and it was to provide lighting power to our show display.