[Arran]

 Lead acid batteries have been on the market for more then 100 years, more then likely the glass jar 2 volt cells used in a Delco lighting system's battery bank was composed of those. With regard to 32 volt sets I have only seen one example in the past 25 years, and it was a post war Sparton Bakelite set with the 150 ma AC/DC style tubes in a series parallel arrangement, by far most of the DC operated sets manufactured and sold in Canada were of the typical "A", "B", and sometimes "C" powered types, and occasionally the 6 volt vibrator types.
 Unlike some U.S manufacturers the Canadian made 6 volt sets never came with a dual power option where you could switch from 6 volt operation to 117 volt AC operation, in fact most I've seen used battery style tubes in series, which was very efficient.
Regards
Arran