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Old Inventions



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 1997 05:34:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: gweaver <gweaver-at-earthlink-dot-net>
To: Tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Old Inventions

I remember some posts where people were asking about winding there own High
Voltage transformer and about Model A or T buzz box ignition coils.  So this
should be of interest to someone.

Tesla Coils are only one of my interests.  I am also interested in antique
engines.  I have a directory that comes out once a year that lists all the
antique engine shows in the United States and Canada.  I attend a dozen or
more engine shows ever summer and have found lots of intersting stuff
besides engines.

Yesterday I attended a show in Cookville TN and found 5 buzz box ignition
coils for a model A or T, don't know which for $10.00 each.  I didn't buy
one but I remember a post several months ago someone asking where they could
buy some of these.

I also found some antique high voltage transformers.  I have to call them
transformers because I am not sure what the correct name is for them.  These
transformers are made by using a bundle of steel wires as the core.  Wires
1/8" x 12" long are placed in a bundle about 2" in diameter.  2 wood blocks
about 1.5" thick x 4" x 4" have a 2" hole drilled in the center of each
block.  A wooden block is pushed on each end of the bundle of wires to hold
the wired in place.  The wooden block also acts like an transformer end for
the primary and secondary coil winding.  A thick layer on paper insulation
is wound over the wires.  Then the secondary coils in wound over the steel
wires. The secondary wires are attached to 2 terminals on one of the wooden
block.  Another layers of
insulation in wound over the secondary coil then the primary coil is wound
over that.  The primary wires are connected to the other wooden block with 2
terminals.  Actually the primary coil might be wound on first and the
secondary on secondary I can't tell just by looking at the thing from the
outside.  I can't remember the manufacture name but brass tag on the end of
one wooden block
said ( ????? Chicago Electric Co.).  The tag also said 120 VAC to 10,000.
VAC.  The guy was asking $30.00 each for these antique transformers.   I
didn't buy one.  But this gave me some ideas and it might give some one else
some ideas too.

I did buy a hand crank generator 120 VAC for $30.00.  This small generator
will light up 1 light bulb and connected to my 1/2 HP steam engine will be
useful and fun the next time I go camping. The guy had an old Edison
Electric generator made to run on a flat belt from a steam engine.  It was
priced $1500.00 and weighed about 400 lbs.  I didn't buy that either.   It
would have been perfect for my 6 HP steam engine.

Gary Weaver