Charging Set, 300-Watt Variations

[Colin Alford]

Here are a couple of other images. It is certainly difficult to identify the specific model without looking at the data plate, as all models (military and civilian)with the frame guard are very visually similar from a couple of paces away.

[Bruce MacMillan]

My M152 sigs van came with the 30V PU-5008/U mounted on the right front fender. It was made by OMC. The back of the truck was kitted for either the C42 or WS52. Under the main table was a large iron bracket for securing the 52 set.

[David Dunlop]

Hi Colin.

Very nice assembly of manuals you have been able to put together.

I suspect a high level of part interchangeability within any given Brand, but do you get a sense of much in the way of parts swapping across the various brands?


David

[David Dunlop]

97 Pounds per unit all in. Yikes! And the majority of remote, or ground setups, calls for a pair of Chorehorses, plus two pairs of wireless batteries.

A 19-set ready to go on its Carriers No. 23 can just be carried by one man. Impossible task for a 52-Set. That beastie requires two men minimum carrying the set lengthwise between them. With two men in line, the set gets in the way of efficient movement. With four men, two at each end, in line movement is a piece of cake.

Colin. do your manuals show the canvas cover as always being part of the standard kit for the Chorehorse, or did it start showing up at some point following introduction? The 52-Set Manual recommends the operators use the issued cover at night to avoid condensation buildup on the Chorehorse. Keeping the magnetos dry perhaps.


David

[Mike K]

I have seen a few 'Chorehorse like' generators, that are a variation of the Canadian WW2 military version, these 'different' sets were made by PIONEER Chicago USA. The USA wartime Pioneer version has two outputs, the usual 12V DC and a second 240V AC outlet. I think these USA Pioneer models have a slightly larger engine bore than the Canadian sets. A club member , Bevan F. had one of these USA Pioneer sets and it was used on a few club trips, charging batteries.

Official nomenclature for the Pioneer set: Power unit DC/AC 250 watts No.1 [American] [1A ]

From the Smokstack forum:

I have one that I bought in April 1970. I got it from Hughes Trading North Coburg , Melbourne. I still have the receipt ! Mine is a 12volt D.C. and 240 volt A.C. I was told that they were used on tanks. It had a cast iron base that was the petrol tank. If yours has the same type of petrol tank, it needs to cleaned out well and painted with petrol resisting paint. I had a lot of problems with fine rust stopping it from running. You should start it with a 12 volt battery. Mine needs the 12 volts to energize the winding, if it hasn't been used for some time. When I was using it the crank shaft snapped in half. I was unable to get another one from Hughes Trading. I made up a straight shaft and used the cast base. The cylinder, piston and head were removed. A pulley was fitted on to the shaft and was then driven by another engine. I still have it all but not used it for many years. I think I could still have the cylinder,piston and head.

Spotted on Epay https://www.ebay.com/itm/195622723669

https://www.ebay.com/itm/19604447633...gAAOSw-elcOCUU

[David Dunlop]

Hello Mike.

I hope your summer weather is finally arriving.

I think another US Army supplier of similar equipment might also have been Homelite. I recall seeing one in a local surplus shop in the early 80’s, but recall little else about it.

David

[Colin Alford]

David,

Despite the branding change from Johnson Motors to Outboard Marine and Manufacturing Co. of Canada Limited, my understanding is that these Canadian produced Charging Sets were all made in the same facility in Peterborough. They certainly used the same part numbers.

Mike has introduced an interesting side note. The Pioneer GEN-E-MOTOR gaskets in his eBay link have the same part number (53-54) as those used on the Chore Horse (some sort of license agreement???)