Edison "Shock-proof" Governor

[Victrolacollector]

I am wondering what the shock proof governor does? I have a Edison B-19, how would I know that it has one? If it does not have one, then are they hard to find or install? Expensive?

[Valecnik]

A good question! Photo comparison would be even better. Anxiously awaiting someone's expert reply.

[VintageTechnologies]

I am wondering what the shock proof governor does? I have a Edison B-19, how would I know that it has one? If it does not have one, then are they hard to find or install? Expensive?

The B-19 governor has only 2 weights. The shock-proof has either 3 or 4 weights, I don't recall exactly because I have not examined the one that I have for years. I had it installed in my B-19 at one time, but subsequently moved it again into one of my other machines. It may take a while to find it in one of those other machines. I am surprised that I can't find a picture of one on the Internet.

The shock-proof governor was a late design. It may be hard to visualise the shock-proof design without pictures, but I'll try to describe it as best as I can recall. Every governor has two brass hubs that the governor shaft passes through. Weighted flat springs are fastened at each end to those hubs. One hub is fixed to the shaft with a set screw, and the other hub is also the friction disk that is free to float along the shaft according to centrifugal force. One of the shock-proof governor hubs has a fixed pin extending from it and running parallel with the governor shaft toward the other hub. The other hub has a socket that the pin slides into. So, the two hubs are locked in rotational sync with each other, but they are still free to expand outward from each other under centrifugal force. I think it would be impossible to twist and bend the flat springs if the turntable came to a sudden halt, and that probably was the idea.

If you could find one, the governors are interchangeable and can swapped out in minutes. I have found 2-weight governors to function fine in Lab Models, but the one in my B-19 is not as steady as the shock-proof governor with the added weights. "Your mileage may vary".

[Victrolacollector]

A very good description and makes sense as it sounds like the springs would not be able to twist. I will check around and see if I can find one somewhere. Thank you for your help.

[marcapra]

I assume I would have one in my Edisonic Schubert model from 1928.

[recordo]

Here's a quick video I made of the governor of my C-19 Diamond Disk Phonograph. I have always believed this was the shock-proof governor.

Sorry for the shaky video - it was tricky to hold the iPhone in my left hand, whilst kneeling low enough to get the angle and operating the brake with my right hand!

Regards, Glenn.

[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re3k_lUPTe4[/youtubehd]

[Victrolacollector]

Thank you posting the video on the shock proof governor. I can see where this could be more stable.

[VintageTechnologies]

Recordo, that is a shock-proof governor just like mine. I had forgotten the exact construction details since last swapping mine between machines years ago, but your video clearly shows the idea of the locking pins. I think I pulled my shock-proof governor from a late Edison BC-34 "baby console" model. I expect that same governor would have been supplied in a Schubert model.

[Valecnik]

I can see where that would be more stable however I'd not recommend replacing the older style if you can avoid it. Changing parts has a high probability of introducing extra noise, especially on machines that have had a little bit of use. If you introduce noise, even putting the original back is difficult because the teeth may align differently.

In addition, there's the originality issue. If you've got a machine from 1921 with a standard governor, introducing the later design to your earlier machine distorts the historical record for future generations.

[VintageTechnologies]

I can see where that would be more stable however I'd not recommend replacing the older style if you can avoid it. Changing parts has a high probability of introducing extra noise, especially on machines that have had a little bit of use. If you introduce noise, even putting the original back is difficult because the teeth may align differently.

In addition, there's the originality issue. If you've got a machine from 1921 with a standard governor, introducing the later design to your earlier machine distorts the historical record for future generations.

In the case of parts with straight-cut teeth, wear could be a factor that might increase the noise. I have quietened some noisy Edison Standard and Home governors by shifting them slightly. With a worm gear, I'm not so sure that the noise would increase. At least, I had no problems.

Your second point of distorting the historical record by swapping parts is well taken.