Lee Governor question - P1010005.JPG (0/1)

Feb 01, 2010 3 Replies

Rate this thread:

Ernie Leimkuhler 16 years ago

Anybody who has seen an old Airco track burner or pattern cutter has seen the speed controller with the letters instead of numbers.

These are made by Lee Engineering of Milwaukee WI. They have remained unchanged for about 40 years at my guess.

I have taken apart several of them, and for the life of me I can't figure out how they work.

As far as I know all that happens is the dial pushes the tab down in the middle, while the whole piece spins on the end of the motor shaft. There are 2 brushes that rub on the underside, and connect to both sides where the 2 spring arms touch.

As the lever is pushed down in the middle, the 2 arms are slightly deflected.

I just can't figure out how this thing adjusts the motor speed.

Anybody have any ideas?

Vote

dcaster 16 years ago

I do not have a clue. But you might try contacting Lee Engineering at this email address.

snipped-for-privacy@leeengineeringwi.com

Vote

Wayne Cook 16 years ago

It's a centrifugal governor. I can't tell enough from the pic to tell the weight distrubution but that's the only way it would work. When spinning fast the contacts will open. The spring pressure forces them closed. So the more spring pressure the faster it must spin to open the contacts.

Vote

Pete C. 16 years ago

The outer spring loaded contact has the weight, the faster the disk spins, the further out the contact moves. The inner contact is linked to the center pressure pad, so the adjustment knob pushing that plate pushes the inner contact further out, maintaining contact at higher RPMs. The two pads with the milled spots balance the whole rig.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required