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Author Topic: Odd Jensen 15 Generator  (Read 2228 times)

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Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« on: July 05, 2019, 05:20:31 pm »
Since we all have Jensen generators on our minds with Nick’s fabulous find, I figured I’d post up one I found earlier this year. It’s a regular old cast iron base three piece magnet 15, but the windings are cotton insulated and then painted with that curious robin’s egg blue paint. I have seen one other example like it that I can think of. If you look closely, you can see the not so neat paint job that was done.
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Mike

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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2019, 08:03:19 pm »
First Jensen 15 I have ever seen with the windings painted blue.  I once had a Jensen 10 with blue painted windings...maybe it was a short term effort applied to engines with generators and stand alone generators?

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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2019, 10:52:28 pm »
I have a model 10 with the same generator on it. Cloth covered wire painted Robbins egg blue. Look on 3rd shelve down from top far right.
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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2019, 11:31:35 pm »
Never seen one... Very interesting, but is it robins egg blue or the newer light blue matching the cast iron base?

Close-up of Randy's

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Nick

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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2019, 06:17:11 am »
Very nice generator Mike , I can almost see Mrs. Jensen at the table painting away on this one with 7 more on the table to do.
I was very glad to see you join the forum here, I for one really enjoy your input & we've been waiting for you : )
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2019, 06:36:45 am »
Quote from: Nick on July 05, 2019, 11:31:35 pm
Never seen one... Very interesting, but is it robins egg blue or the newer light blue matching the cast iron base?

Close-up of Randy's

(Attachment Link)

It’s definitely robin’s egg blue. I’m thinking, for whatever reason in a pinch, Tom Jensen used the cotton insulated magnet wire and probably figured it wasn’t durable enough, so a coat of paint would add a bit of durability to it. I’ve seen some antique toy motors with the cotton rubbed right off the windings due to wear from handling.
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Mike

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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2019, 06:44:12 am »
Quote from: St Paul Steam on July 06, 2019, 06:17:11 am
Very nice generator Mike , I can almost see Mrs. Jensen at the table painting away on this one with 7 more on the table to do.
I was very glad to see you join the forum here, I for one really enjoy your input & we've been waiting for you : )

Thanks for the warm welcome, Bruce! I just happened to stumble across the forum recently and had no idea it even existed.
The most fascinating thing for me about this generator is that it dates from the early ‘60s and the robin’s egg blue paint seemed to disappear from use prior to WWII. This is why I love collecting Jensens.
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Mike

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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2019, 07:05:01 am »
It's definitely Robbin egg blue. If you look at the early Big Power Plant on the top left best I can figure is 1935. Has the same cloth covered wire painted Robbins egg blue.  It's like he found a roll of wire that had gotten stuck back somewhere and forgotten about and used it.
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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2019, 08:27:26 am »
Welcome to the forum Mike, nice generator you have there especially with the box. Randy probably hit on the head with the idea that there was some n.o.s. on a shelf in the back.
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John

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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2019, 09:00:20 pm »
Quote from: Roscoe on July 06, 2019, 08:27:26 am
Welcome to the forum Mike, nice generator you have there especially with the box. Randy probably hit on the head with the idea that there was some n.o.s. on a shelf in the back.

That could very likely be the case, but I still find it odd that the robin’s egg blue paint would make a reappearance after not being used for 20 years or more. Probably some of that on the back shelf too.  ;)
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Mike

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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2019, 09:46:40 pm »
Yes it is strange, but as we all know Jensen he used what ever he had. So if he found paint that was still good I'm sure he would have used it. We all have to keep in mind that he was building a toy. He never knew that people would be collecting and restoring this stuff. I'm sure he figured this stuff would end up in the trash pile. I'm sure a bunch of it did. I have a model 20 big power plant that was in a dumpster a friend of mine got out and brought and give to me.
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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #11 on: July 10, 2019, 12:08:42 am »
Quote from: Randy Tucker on July 08, 2019, 09:46:40 pm
Yes it is strange, but as we all know Jensen he used what ever he had. So if he found paint that was still good I'm sure he would have used it. We all have to keep in mind that he was building a toy. He never knew that people would be collecting and restoring this stuff. I'm sure he figured this stuff would end up in the trash pile. I'm sure a bunch of it did. I have a model 20 big power plant that was in a dumpster a friend of mine got out and brought and give to me.

Randy, did you end up with the 50 from Jack Boyles not too long ago? If so, that one was saved from the dumpster, not only one, but twice!
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Nick

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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #12 on: July 10, 2019, 12:09:59 am »
Quote from: Junkologist on July 08, 2019, 09:00:20 pm
That could very likely be the case, but I still find it odd that the robin’s egg blue paint would make a reappearance after not being used for 20 years or more. Probably some of that on the back shelf too.  ;)

That's why I asked above about the color. But what I don't understand is if it was cloth covered, why did he need to paint it anyway??

EDIT: Oops, just re-read your above post about making it more durable.
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Nick

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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #13 on: July 10, 2019, 08:40:30 am »
Yes I did get the one from Jack few months ago. He told me it had been thrown away, tried to be sold at a yard sale for $50.00. Hate I missed that yard sale.
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Re: Odd Jensen 15 Generator
« Reply #14 on: July 10, 2019, 09:51:01 am »
Quote from: Randy Tucker on July 10, 2019, 08:40:30 am
Yes I did get the one from Jack few months ago. He told me it had been thrown away, tried to be sold at a yard sale for $50.00. Hate I missed that yard sale.

It was originally tossed out by a college professor nearly 30 years ago until the previous owner's dad (college professor's neighbor) found it. Fast forward to last summer and the kids were cleaning out dad's basement in Iowa, almost threw it away, then they posted it for sale online and were thrilled to receive offers in the $50-75 range. I didn't have the money at the time and offered $1000 and I would pick it up. The guy told me it was mine, but then his sister in Minnesota thought, "well if he's offering that much, it must be worth more," so she went online and found the Jensen website and decided to post it on Craigslist where it was then found by many.
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