Ward Aero Wind Generator

[Doc]

Anyone have any experience with the Ward Aero Wind Generator (circa 1960s)...especially with brush rebuild recommendations? Doc

[joea]

I have heard that people can take them into an old fashioned starter/generator overhaul shop (not the new ones like Pep boys) and get them overhauled no problem.

Just do not say the word "airplane" when you take it there as some will not touch them. Say its for an old tractor or go-kart or the like.

Joe A

[bigjim]

Dock if you get in a pinch!! There is a Elect, shop in FT wayne IN .Thats also a cert repair station. that will repair & return to service. I had them do some mags a few years ago an good work & fair price. J.D. Holbrook Warsaw IN.

[Doc]

I took the Ward Aero Generator to Aero Accessories in San Antonio...they bill themselves as "antique specialists"...in reality, their specialty is round engine accessories. They had a belly laugh when I showed up with my "antique"..especially the sales manual circa 1962 with the exorbitant price of $79.50 for the complete kit, to include the mounting hardware. Since I do not have a parts manual, I suspect I will have to follow the advice of finding an older electrical rewind shop for my "tractor" generator. Thanks for the advice! Doc

[joea]

Please let us know how it turns out.

Joe

PS, wish we had an AME in this area who flew an Aeronca!

[Mark Julicher]

RCS Electric Co. Chesapeake
1218 South Military Highway, Chesapeake, VA 23320-2208
(757) 420-7717‎

From the Taylorcraft tribe, an eyewitness says these guys are able to repair the Ward generator. They are reported to have a few spare parts and the original service manual and can rewind armatures, remake brushes, and provide a legitimate yellow tag.

[Doc]

Part of the mounting system for the Ward Generator

Aeronca Rudder.jpg (112.26 KiB) Viewed 25048 times

Tucson Creme with Insignia Blue and Gold pinstriping

Aeronca Rudder #2.jpg (95.14 KiB) Viewed 25048 times

This is the main attachment unit to the Ward Aero Generator, and it should be spinning both propellers in May. BTW, one of the Taylorcraft Club members is thinking about remaking the Ward generator propellers out of a single billet of aluminum....would be safer than the cast prop now on these units. I will send a picture of the refurbished generator when it returns! Best wishes. Doc

[joea]

Doc,

If he is going to make props, hope he makes several. I may need one.

Thx,

Joe A

[Doc]

Here is the name and address of the shop that can rebuild the Ward Aero Generator:

Lewis Riggs
R C S ELECTRIC CO OF CHESAPEAK,
1218 S Military Hwy, Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 420-7717‎

Lewis charges $20.00 to look at the unit.

Doc

[Steve D]

Just some kinda lose and general background on the Ward Aero generator, and no regulatory complance discussion. The Ward Aero generator is "similar" and in the picture I show a prestolite/autolite Generator off of a 40 HP Johnson outboard motor marine series generator next to the Ward Aero Generator.

These generators are currently in production and no shortage of parts. Very Very simple to maintain and repair. A 3.5 amp Champion wind generator with clutch, prop release cable, adjustable prop and internal "point" regulator is about 7.5 pounds. A Champion 10 amp wind generator, with internal "points" regulator and prop is moving you up towards 9 pounds.

The bare bones Ward Aero generator producing "close" to 10 amp is about 7 pounds...and the "points" regulator is typically mounted in the cabin. I believe that for a "points" regulator, P/N VBO-4202B -12volt and 40 amp (Autolite) is acceptable, and even earlier P/N I have is VBO-4201C-1 regulator , not sure....kinda one of the numbers I have jotted down over the years. From a voltage regulator standpoint, "solid-state" would be really the way to go...if the regulator "points" stick....there are going to be problems.

The prop, in a conventional sense, is reversed on a wind generator. That the back or flatside is facing forward...and the airfoil is on the backside. These days...machining a prop is very cheap and structurally strong....rather than a sand casted prop and potential internal defects, as was done with the early Ward Aero STC.

If you machine a prop add an extra inch or so on both ends. If you need to tweak the RPM there is some wiggle room with triming the blades. The Ward Aero generator makes a very nice installation with an Odyssey battery set up - good luck!!

[Doc]

Great background on the Ward...it was indeed a modified Johnson Outboard generator...and cases/parts are available if you have that information. All of the folks I spoke with recommend new blades...the sand casted ones apparently are very prone to shattering. Thanks for your advice! Doc

[David Johnson]

Anybody makes new blades I am interested. Just bought 2 Ward generators at Middletown and I plan on using them. A new billet prop sounds real good! Thanks, David J.

[David Johnson]

Anybody have a set of paperwork for the Ward Aero Generator I could get a copy of? Mine has lots of unreadable stuff. Thanks! David J.

[Doc]

I heard from Lewis yesterday morning. The Ward generator has been refurbished and is on its way to San Antonio. He mentioned it was corroded on the inside (Gulf Coast Airplane), and needed bushings and brushes. His fee was $95.00 to overhaul. It should be here in a few days. Now...the aluminum billet project for a new prop! Doc

[joea]

Excellent info guys! Keep it coming!