Lansing 415 field coil drivers

[tiborkaba]

Dear Members,

This is my first post here, I live in Europe and I'm a great fan of ALtec Lansing products. Unfortunately they are pretty rare on this side of the Atlantic. My main system has a pair of Model 19's, my other system has a pair of 9846-8A's.

Now I found a pair of Lansing 415 field coil woofers, but they need some tender loving care. They need to be reconed.

Does anybody an idea from where I can get a pair of recone kits? I need just the cones. I had the bad impression that cone of the first 515 fits, but the voice coil diameter is different.

What is the name of the 220 VDC field coil connector?

Best Regards,
Tibor.

[tiborkaba]

I know, a thread is worthless without pictures...
:)

[tiborkaba]

.

[srm51555]

Welcome to forum. Unfortunately I am no help when it comes to reconing them. They look to be in pretty good shape otherwise.

[speakerdave]

If as you suggest the voice coils are good I think it's very likely that a cone kit may be cobbed together by a competent technician using reproductions of the early 515 cones that are out there.

One of our LH founders has considerable expertise in early Lansing products. When he sees this thread you will have made his day, and he will no doubt chime in.

[Don C]

I looks like there may be some number along the rim of the electric connector. Look with a magnifying glass, or blow up the original photo. It might match to NEMA L2-20.

[tiborkaba]

Hello,

They have consecutive serial numbers.
One has Serial number 131, and 11809 stamped on the metal between the basket and the coil assembly, other has Serial number 132 and 11807 stamped on the metal.


The serials are the same on the metal nameplate and the paper attached to the basket. There is also a signature on the paper in the field Inspection, maybe the quality controller.

They are in pretty good shape, they are worth to rescue for sure.

The basket may have the same size like the early 515, but the voice coil diameter is ony 2". The 515 has a 3" voice coil.

@Don, unfortunately there is no numbering on the connector, there is just "FIELD" stamped on it, but NEMA seems a good starting point for me, many thanks, I greatly appreciate your help.

[Don C]

Try taking out those screws that fasten the connector to the cover, and look on the back with a magnifier. Numbers could be hiding. Hopefully there are not loose nuts inside afterwards.

[tiborkaba]

Hello Don,

There is P-921 written on the back of the connector and a logo, a shield with a G inside.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Tibor.

[Don C]

Hmm. Maybe it was made by General Electric.
You're going to have to measure the pin spacing and study some datasheets. Maybe Nema ML-1P

[Steve Schell]

Tiborkaba you have some treasures there. These woofers were made by Lansing Manufacturing Company in Los Angeles in about 1938. The 415 was the standard woofer in the Lansing Shearer horn systems for theatres at the time, while the 815 was used in the Lansing Iconic two way system with the bass reflex bass enclosure. Your woofers were intended for bass horn duty and, if properly implemented, you will have a tough time besting them with anything else past or present.

You need to find a specialist reconer who can install new cones and dustcaps while retaining the original spiders and dustcaps. Bill Hanushack at Great Plains Audio may be capable of this work; you should call him and ask. All of the prewar Lansing 15" woofers used a 2" voice coil, while all later ones beginning with the 515/803/604 used 3".

The 220 Volts DC refers to the power supply requirements to energize the field coil in each driver. The field must be energized before any signal is fed to the voice coil or else the voice coil will be damaged easily. With a properly energized field these woofers are very robust and durable.

Mr. Widget, thanks for letting me know about this thread!