Forty something Arvin auto heater - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 10-06-2013, 07:47 PM

OK, I bought this heater on line for my 39 Studebaker. Turns out it was built in Colombus In. heh!

I would like to pull the fan blade off the motor shaft so I can service the motor. I don't see how its held on. looks like it must be pressed on. Anybody familiar with this ancient technology?

Its a great looking art deco design with a little red fan speed knob which lights up when the fan is on.

barry12345 · #2 10-06-2013, 09:20 PM

Tom, my 39 buick had two separate 6v motors. One for general heat and one for the defrosters. Both in the same under dash enclosure.

So I wired them in series to use on 12 volt system. Basically for the few times I needed the windshield cleared of moisture or needed a little heat. Depending on your heater you may want to substitute a 12 volt motor. That's if it is a single motor unit.

You are also doing so much you will probably put in a new electrical fuse box. Cars before the fifties did not fuse everything like they did in later years..

t walgamuth · #3 10-07-2013, 06:54 AM

There are little converters one can use for converting 12 to 6 volts. It is a single motor design.

barry12345 · #4 10-07-2013, 09:08 AM

Quite a current is drawn by those motors. Hard to drop 12 down to six volts without being wasteful at those type of current draws.

Any form of 12 to 6 volt converters in that current range may be expensive as well. Although a string of cheap fifty amp diodes would do it but they will generate some heat. Yet still very cheap and will work well.

I might identify the motors frame number and see if I could find a twelve volt motor. With the same motor frame type as a reasonable alternative.
At least have a friend or yourself do a current draw check at six volts to find the actual draw of that motor.

The rheostat fan speed control burst into flame on my 1954 Plymouth a lot of years ago while I was driving along. I pulled over beside a mud puddle and the two young ladies in the front seat with me jumped out of the car into the mud with their high heel shoes on. I had turned the control off by then and the flames where gone but there still was some residual smoke. I guess from the female perspective the girls though the car was going to explode or self incinerate.

I suspect without knowing that most 12-6 volt decent switching type converters are not easily found or cheap at the current range heater motors draw. Not a big issue in context but just a detail. The heater box below the dash on the firewall seems to not interfere with anything in my case either.

The Clk Man · #5 10-07-2013, 10:11 AM

Pics PLease.

t walgamuth · #6 10-07-2013, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

Quite a current is drawn by those motors. Hard to drop 12 down to six volts without being wasteful at those type of current draws.

Any form of 12 to 6 volt converters in that current range may be expensive as well. Although a string of cheap fifty amp diodes would do it but they will generate some heat. Yet still very cheap and will work well.

I might identify the motors frame number and see if I could find a twelve volt motor. With the same motor frame type as a reasonable alternative.
At least have a friend or yourself do a current draw check at six volts to find the actual draw of that motor.

The rheostat fan speed control burst into flame on my 1954 Plymouth a lot of years ago while I was driving along. I pulled over beside a mud puddle and the two young ladies in the front seat with me jumped out of the car into the mud with their high heel shoes on. I had turned the control off by then and the flames where gone but there still was some residual smoke. I guess from the female perspective the girls though the car was going to explode or self incinerate.

I suspect without knowing that most 12-6 volt decent switching type converters are not easily found or cheap at the current range heater motors draw. Not a big issue in context but just a detail. The heater box below the dash on the firewall seems to not interfere with anything in my case either.

Apparently I need to do some more homework.

P.C. · #7 10-07-2013, 11:35 AM

Any chance of finding a compatable 12 volt motor?

t walgamuth · #8 10-07-2013, 11:51 AM

I'm gonna take it to a motor place today and see if they can do that.

t walgamuth · #9 10-08-2013, 09:42 AM

I didn't have any luck finding a compatible 12V motor at the usual local auto parts places or in the internet.

I think maybe I'll use two six volt batteries wired in series and pull six volts off the center of them. I did that with no issues in my 51 caddy hearse a couple of decades back.

panZZer · #10 10-08-2013, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

OK, I bought this heater on line for my 39 Studebaker. Turns out it was built in Colombus In. heh!

I would like to pull the fan blade off the motor shaft so I can service the motor. I don't see how its held on. looks like it must be pressed on. Anybody familiar with this ancient technology?

Its a great looking art deco design with a little red fan speed knob which lights up when the fan is on.

ditch the 70 yro fan and put a modern 8" spal fan on it. gives you closer to the firewall space too

t walgamuth · #11 10-08-2013, 11:29 PM

Actually the fan sits under the horseshoe shaped heater and sucks the air down, so I am not sure if any kindof modern fan would work. I have a small one on my race car I will check to see if it might work. Are any dc motors capable of running different speeds? I think maybe yes.

barry12345 · #12 10-09-2013, 10:48 AM

Dc motors are variable in speed.

Why not post a drawing of your motor with dimensions. Some member may have a 12 volt motor around similar enough to work for your application. Without a small motor catalogue it might be hard to find a 12 volt equivelant. Motor manufactures many years ago needed a way of identification so they technically identified and cataloged them. Frame number comes to mind.

t walgamuth · #13 10-09-2013, 01:45 PM

OK...later.