1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

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1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by D.R.H. » Sun May 20, 2018 6:21 pm

I first want to say thank you to Farrell Fox for posting the Craigslist ad here on the "G" that lead me to this Gem of a Generator.
I drove to Cornelius Oregon yesterday to pick it up and I am the 3rd. owner now. The guy I purchased it from bought it at an estate sale just three weeks ago. When he saw it, it was located in the 1st. owners basement under a wall of W.W. 2 and Civvy Ham radio gear all in perfect working order. The 1st. owner purchased the generator at auction in 1952. The 2nd. owner decided that the "197" was not practical for his farm and put it up for sale. In my opinion and from my experience I know I payed less than what it is really worth. It has a total run time of 128.8 hours showing on the hour gauge, clean oil in the engine which is not stuck and turns over freely. The only things missing are the compliments of the tool and spare parts boxes.
I must say that the Olive Drab Gods do smile once in a while and that I feel lucky to be the new caretaker of this Generator. And with it I will be able to put together a correct K-63A Gen. Trailer.

Here are the photos of my P.E. 197, enjoy.
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Clean battery stowage, zero rust.
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Tool Box Stowage Area.
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Super Clean Instrument Panel.
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I have already returned the fuel line from the tank to stock configuration.
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The Radiator is holding clean coolant, zero leaks.
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All wiring has been Moisture and Fungus Proofed and is in excellent condition.
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Thanks for looking.
Last edited by D.R.H. on Wed May 23, 2018 7:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.


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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by Farrell Fox » Mon May 21, 2018 2:25 pm

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Last edited by Farrell Fox on Sat Oct 26, 2019 12:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by Farrell Fox » Mon May 21, 2018 2:30 pm

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Last edited by Farrell Fox on Sat Oct 26, 2019 12:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division
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D.R.H.
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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by D.R.H. » Mon May 21, 2018 5:03 pm

Again Farrell, Thank You. I asked Robin to save one for me. He has 6 W.W. 2 Jerry can holders for my trailer that I will retrieve in the next few months.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by macjeeper » Tue May 22, 2018 8:08 pm

Very nice PE-197!

Newer than my 4 each that I have of which I'll try to get 3 running.

Thanks, for sharing!
Mac
1944 PE-197 Generators SN: P-6124; P-7106; P-7305; & P-7319.
1955 Willys CJ-5 SN: 9892
1960's M-416B1 1/4t trailer
1968 Kaiser M-715 SN: 31642
1970 Kaiser J-3600 Gladiator

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D.R.H.
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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by D.R.H. » Wed May 23, 2018 3:51 pm

Thanks Mac.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by D.R.H. » Sat May 26, 2018 8:45 pm

Well Gents, after a bit of cleaning, tinkering and adjusting, the generator fired right up and ran very well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn7Nl_epCyU.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Jun 23, 2018 2:38 pm

David,
I found my TM 11-487E Directory of Signal Corps Equipments, POWER EQUIPMENT. March 1951 I can copy the page w/ photo and Data for the PE-197. for you.
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HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by D.R.H. » Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:21 pm

Thank You very much Ben, I am excited to see the tabulated data that You have. Private E-mail sent with my Name, Rank and Serial No. :wink: :) . I found a Tech. Manual, but received it in a photocopied stack of paper. I have asked the boys at Portrayal Press to search their archives for an actual T.M. in book form.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by Franklin » Mon Jul 08, 2019 7:22 pm

Hi All,
just found and purchased a PE-197 from an antique shop.
I am missing the Air filter housing and filter, the crank, one spring clip for the bonnet door,and a door hook to hold the bonnet open.
if any of you can help with finding the parts, Id appreciate it.
Frank.. frener@aol.com
Franklin

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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by D.R.H. » Tue Jul 09, 2019 12:16 pm

Hi Franklin. Great job on the rescue. Here are some references to help you with your search. I see that you have already found SMOKSTAK.COM. Take a look at this page; viewtopic.php?f=34&t=16916, it will teach you to load photos to the album index and then to the "G". You will be able to start your own thread and commentary WITH pictures, and we all love to see pictures of new acquisitions!! :) A quick note about photos. When I first started adding them to my threads, the connection time between my computer and the album index would run out. So I downloaded an image re-sizing application that reduces the pixel format and allows the photos to be transferred more quickly. This helped the process tremendously. Finally as far as extra parts go Frank, I am sorry to tell you that I do not have any. What you saw on Smokstak and here is all I have.
I hope this helps you Frank, 'cause I hope to see some photos of your '197 soon. Dave.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

D.R.H.
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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by D.R.H. » Mon Mar 01, 2021 11:48 pm

I haven't done very much with my generator lately, she's more or less just been sitting in the trailer. This is not such a good thing for these old machines, they need to be exercised frequently. About a week ago I pulled my K-63A Trailer out of its' 'shop in a box' and ran the engine. Three times I started it up and three times I had to shut her down. There seems to be a problem with the thermostat. I made a video of my finding. Take a look if you'd like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_BhOq85nSE&t=1s.
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by D.R.H. » Sat Mar 13, 2021 10:03 pm

I have been concentrating on my G-506 and neglectful toward this generator. It had a bit of a carburetor flooding issue which I remedied today. Sorry, no photos only a video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YR4lcDs5hg...
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

D.R.H.
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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by D.R.H. » Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:37 pm

Things are starting to come together. About two years ago a guy sent me the original cast iron elbow and an old nasty air cleaner for the '197. I had a spare air cleaner for a P.E. 75 that I thought I could retrofit into the '197's, but just couldn't 'see' how to make it happen. Then a week ago, everything clicked when I found a paper element. Here are some photos of what I did.

Elbow with all-thread secured in place and cut to length, ready to accept the top, filter and bottom of the air cleaner assembly.
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Where my finger is pointing was closed off with a small hole for the mounting bolt into the elbow. I realized it didn't really matter where this 'tube' was closed off, so I found a old freeze plug in my junk box and soldered it in place at the bottom.
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The paper element pressed into the top with my thumbs and held fast.
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I slid the all-thread through the three parts of the assembly and secured everything with a washer and nylock nut.
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It went together beautifully and I am well pleased with the results.
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Finally the installation is complete, on the carburetor and filtering air as required.
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Here is a video I made of this exercise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ninm6bIMYQg
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

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Re: 1943 Hobart Bros. Co. P.E. 197

Post by gpwmke » Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:02 pm

Thanks for sharing about your great find. I enjoy reading about this kind of stuff.


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