Charging Set, 300-Watt Variations

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Hi David

Why is it that all the surplus models we acquired/available in the Ontario area were the British pattern with a cage and mostly converted to 24 volts?????

One of these days I must try to make one run!!!!

Bob C.

In Canadian service, they were part of the C-42 radio sets, which were 24 volt. If you were in an observation post, you could have the chorehorse set back a little ways and with the exhaust pipe slightly buried, it made almost no noise. When the C42 radios went surplus in the early 1980s, the Saskatoon surplus store also got the chorehorses. Some were used, some were still new in their crates with their lend lease decals.

[Alex van de Wetering]

It was my understanding that the ones without cage were intended for mounting on a vehicle (C8, C8A etc.) and the ones with cage were intended to be portable and to be used outside a vehicle, not necessary a difference between British and Canadian pattern (?).

On the left is the Charging Set 300-Watt MK I Canadian Pattern, OMC Model Number CHI-395-4. Note the use of a protective metal shroud over the Control Box

I missed out one of these sets with the shroud a couple of years ago (even though Hanno and I did have a great CMP-border raid that day). In case anyone has one of these shrouds laying around; I am still interested in one for my C8. I do have two Chorse horse sets, but both with cage.

[David Dunlop]

By 1944, the photos and illustrations in the 52-Set Manual and the Truck and Ground Installation Instructions for the 19-Set both have the 300-Watt Chorehorse Canadian as being equipped with the guard assembly.

I would not at all be surprised that as soon as Canadian troops encountered the British Chorehorse in the field, with guard, it proved too popular and the Canadian version was simply dropped. The guard makes picking the Chorehorse up and carrying it, extremely easy, especially if you have just shut it down after a long run. That engine gets hot and stays hot for a while.


David

[Bob Carriere]

.... is to take one down from the barn attic and have a go at make it run....

This tread will be very useful...... David and Jordan stay tuned...!!!!

[Colin Alford]

David,

I will attempt to fill in some of the gaps using these manuals. Collectively they cover CHI-395, CHI-395-1, CHI-395-2, CHI-395-3 (some prior to serial 27590 were designated Mk 1), CHI-395-4 (Mk1 Canadian), CHI-395-5 (Mk1 British), CHI-395-6 (Mk1 Star), CHI-396, CHI-397, CHI-397-1, CHI-397-2, and PU-5008/U (claimed to be modified CHI-395-6).

[Colin Alford]

Weight and dimensions:

The Jan 1945 instructions for the CHI-395-6, and the Jan 1958 handbook for the PU-5008/U include the weight and dimensions.

[Colin Alford]

The improvements for the Mk1 Star (CHI-395-6) appear to be a heat shield between the engine and fuel tank, a thick angled guard ( shield) to protect the bottom of the carburetor and air cleaner elbow, a modified tank with boss to accept carburetor guard, and an improved adjusting mechanism for the governor link.

While the handbook for the PU-5008/U claims that they are modified CHI-395-6, I have observed a number of local examples that do not have any of the CHI-395-6 features, which would indicate that they were modified from early CHI-395 types.

[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.