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Circle of Life: Nearly 100–year–old GE Motor powers carousel again

FORT WAYNE, IN — After almost a century of operation, inactivity, weather and wear, a 1909 motor from GE Motors is expected to come back to life in the coming months in Nederland, Colorado, a community located 3,000 feet above and 17 miles west of Boulder, Colorado. Originally the main power source of a 1910 carousel, the GE Motor will reprise its significant, yet behind–the–scenes role in bringing sheer joy and exhilaration to children and families who will ride the recently restored carousel in the months and years ahead.

The 1909 GE motor has many of the same characteristics as modern GE motors, although energy consumption wasn't as much of a concern 100 years ago (well before NEMA premium efficiency standards were established).

"The core components of a GE motor remain the same, but there have been significant advancements over time," says Jim Kvas, AC/DC motors product manager for GE. "GE as a company today is very environmentally focused. Our motors are some of the most efficient available. Customers are demanding more reliable motors that cut wasteful spending on energy and lower the need for power that generates carbon dioxide emissions, while incorporating more safety features. If this century–old motor wasn't still humming along, a motor from our new line of energy–efficient GE Ultra X$D™ motors would be an ideal replacement."

Restoring the carousel has been a 20–year labor of love by Scott Harrison, a 58–year–old retired director with Amnesty International. In 1986, he had the opportunity to buy the frame of a 1910 carousel, along with its original 1909 GE motor and GE controller. The carousel had been stripped of all its animals, which were sold at an auction.

"I went to Utah to take a look at the frame and parts, paid the $2,000 asking price, took it apart, and moved it to Nederland," notes Harrison. "The carousel had been built by Charles Looff, who built the first carousel for Coney Island in 1876."

Many of the same qualities from the first GE motors can be found in present day motors. The top four applications of GE motors today are pumps, fans, compressors and material handling.

In addition to advancements in installation systems, today's motors from GE offer more horsepower per frame, meaning a much smaller motor could essentially have the same output as a large motor, like the motor that will be used to run the carousel. The new line of GE Ultra X$D motors would fit the bill as a replacement motor, meeting or exceeding the NEMA premium efficiency standards for energy consumption, while offering long motor life and improved operating performance.

Testing the GE motor
Harrison got permission to test the GE motor and GE controller at a radio station in Boulder, Colorado, because it had the three–phase 220–volt power that was needed. He called on several volunteers to help. George Gless, a retired professor from the Engineering Department at the University of Colorado, had his own meters and borrowed some old resistors from the school to help with the test. An electrician who had wired the studio at the radio station volunteered his time.

"We hooked the motor up to the power source, and we all stood back," reports Harrison. "We didn't know how loud the motor would be or whether it would snap, crackle or pop. We warned everybody that we didn't know what would happen. We turned the motor on, there was a little puff of dust, and then it purred like a kitten. You had to be within a few feet to even hear it. I couldn't get over it. I'm ashamed to say that motor even sat out in the snow for a couple of years. I didn't do anything to it to get ready for the testing. Didn't even oil it or clean it up. I'll say this; GE sure makes them to last."

Kvas agrees with Harrison and wasn't surprised to hear that the old motor successfully started and ran. "Since the GE Motors business was established, GE's engineers have made motors with a long–lasting, conservative design. We don't make disposable motors. When GE makes motors, we really do make them to last."

Carving out time for restoration
Over the past two decades, Harrison has been carving and painting new animals for the carousel using hand chisels and power tools and repairing and replacing mechanical parts. To date, he has completed 35 animals. "The first two I carved were a rabbit and a giraffe based on animals I had seen," he says. "After that, I went to a library and chose animal pictures and did drawings from those." Harrison also has carved sculptures to go around the top of the carousel to cover the joints. "I've had no training," he adds. "Just picked it up as I went along."

All of his animals are non–threatening and have closed mouths. "Some even look kind of goofy," he comments. "I didn't want the children to be frightened when they ride the carousel. He stores the carousel animals in a warehouse, two storage sheds and his home.

Harrison said in addition to the GE motor, he plans on using the original GE controller, which is like a trolley switch. "Between the switch and the motor are the resistor banks (used to control the electrical current), and we're still trying to locate some of those."

A Nederland town developer has donated land for a building to house the carousel. The Carousel of Happiness, Inc., established by Harrison, is a non–profit organization of volunteers who are raising funds for the building and will operate the carousel. Nederland is an old mining town with a mining museum. "We get a number of tourists coming through," Harrison said. "I can't wait to see the children riding the carousel and hear their laughter. It will be something that people can enjoy and a little revenue stream for the town."

About GE Motors
GE Motors is a world–class manufacturer of electric motors and generators with more than 125 years of experience. A business of GE Consumer & Industrial, GE Motors offers a full range of products, from fractional to 100,000 horsepower units, for highly demanding applications around the world. Driven by Lean Six Sigma methods and tools, GE Motors serves industrial and commercial industries such as Power Generation, Oil and Gas, Chemical, Mining, Pulp and Paper, Water/Wastewater, Cement, Metals, Electric Vehicles, and Appliances. GE Motors can design to any global standard and certification due to its extensive motor engineering and manufacturing experience. For more information, visit www.gemotors.com..