The Organ Forum

Hello again:

Doing some work on the Moller Artiste and have some dead notes in the pedal division. I've been able to test the connections using a door bell wired to each pedal valve to make sure it sounds at the 16 foot level. My question is this: What's the best way to troubleshoot for lack of current? Some of the valves are not getting any current when they key is depressed. I've checked all the pedal contacts and they're fine.

 Any suggestions?

 

Swissmister, Milwaukee, WI
 

I would check the resistance of the solenoid/magnet at the valve.  If it is reasonable and not open circuit, look for a mechanical problem with the valve(s).

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Fred

Not knowing what contact system you have, lets clear that up first.

Moller used two types of contact systems for their pedal divisions.  First, the "pedal box" system.  This used a series of sliders inside an assembly inside the bottom of the console.  If it is still "boxed" up, there will be a thin wood cover over the top of the box, held in place with a few screws.  There will be an individual wire finger for each note coming out of the pedalboard side, which the pedal keys push down to make contacts work inside the box.

The second type of system is the "under key" system, which uses a curved rail under the pedal keys, and has a lot of contacts mounted on that rail.  If it is rather dark for you to see, you can use a flash light, and scan the whole length of one of the pedals...an under key contact rail will be  seen as an assembly mounted at 90 degrees to the pedal, and just under the level of the pedals.

What type do you have on your Artiste? 

 

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....."next" is a four letter word. Jay999

Does the organ use some sort of mechanical gangswitching for stop control? It seems like one of the little wires dropping down that makes the contact could be bent out of place.

 

(That's if the valves work when you hook current directly to them, but don't work when you try and use the pedal keys.)

Look at what Jay999 suggested. He actually knows what he's talking about. 

Well, it's just that Moller pedal box contacts have wires soldered onto the bottom of the contacts...underneath the pedal box...and the wires DO come loose from the solder joints.  Also, Moller magnets on pedal chests in an Artiste, are working on a horizontal plane, rather than a vertical one.  A lot of times the armature will snag inside the magnet cap, and prevent the valve assembly from exhausting.  Then there are all the other points that the pedal wires share a junction with other circuits, etc. etc.

Not to mention the possibility of the pouch or the primary needing adjustments, or releathering if the organ is rather old.  Or a dead magnet, or a corroded contact or buss, if it's an under key contact system.  Hope this guy's organ is not sitting in a damp basement....that's another can of worms!

 

 

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....."next" is a four letter word. Jay999

Ah well...he must have discovered his problem without any of our advice....he's not coming back to thank us.

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....."next" is a four letter word. Jay999

Isn't it possible that he has been busy with other matters?

David

Yes David.  You're right...it's that "instant gratification" thing we discussed in another place, kicking in.  In my old age, I'm getting less patient!

Where the heck is my chocolate!?

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....."next" is a four letter word. Jay999