10-16-2014, 04:26 PM
Don't forget the 32 volt Radio's too!
I have two 32 volt Delco Radios which do not use a vibrator. I run them with a battery pack, and during show season, a Delco light 32 volt 850 watt generator.
Delco Light was the largest supplier of rural farm light plants in the country, from 1916-1948. They were designed to charge a bank of 16 2 volt glass jar batteries wired in series. Your house would be wired the same, except that the wattage of the bulbs were typically 25 watt. Dim by today's standards, but better than a kerosene lamp. When the battery got flat, you would run the generator to recharge, and leave running, if a heavy current was used. You could buy a washing machine, clothers iron, vacuum cleaner and a electric motor on a stand that you carried from room to room to power small items, ie cream seperator etc, all on 32 volt DC. Most 32 volt appliances and radios were either thrown out when REA came along, or kept and mistakenly plugged in to 110V AC, which would fry at least the first three tubes in the set.
Wincharger, Jacobs etc also made 32 volt wind chargers as well as the typical 6 volt ones that were sold with Zenith Radios.
I'm looking to add a Philco 32 volt to my collection.....
I have two 32 volt Delco Radios which do not use a vibrator. I run them with a battery pack, and during show season, a Delco light 32 volt 850 watt generator.
Delco Light was the largest supplier of rural farm light plants in the country, from 1916-1948. They were designed to charge a bank of 16 2 volt glass jar batteries wired in series. Your house would be wired the same, except that the wattage of the bulbs were typically 25 watt. Dim by today's standards, but better than a kerosene lamp. When the battery got flat, you would run the generator to recharge, and leave running, if a heavy current was used. You could buy a washing machine, clothers iron, vacuum cleaner and a electric motor on a stand that you carried from room to room to power small items, ie cream seperator etc, all on 32 volt DC. Most 32 volt appliances and radios were either thrown out when REA came along, or kept and mistakenly plugged in to 110V AC, which would fry at least the first three tubes in the set.
Wincharger, Jacobs etc also made 32 volt wind chargers as well as the typical 6 volt ones that were sold with Zenith Radios.
I'm looking to add a Philco 32 volt to my collection.....