On Thu, 29 Jan 2004 15:53:30 -0800, Jim Stewart
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:


It's a 2-part device. The first part is a U-shaped chunk
of iron with ends of the U in a vee shape so that an
armature can be set inside them. A coil is wound around
the U and AC is applied to it.

The second part is a set of probes and some kind of
indicator.

By putting the suspect armature in the crotch of the U
and applying power to the coil, you induce a voltage
into the windings of the armature. You can then probe
the segments of the commutator and test for shorts or
opens.

It's called a growler because of the obnoxious sound
the armature makes rattling against the U shaped pole.

And from your description of its use I would growl too.

Crotch...probe...power...voltage....grrr.

But yes, I remember using them. Lovely name and very apt.
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