Posted 8 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
Some of you may remember how it looked here:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/200267-jenks-railroad-lamp?
Now, after a few hours of work, I've gotten it shiny and rewired.
The electrical department at where I work had never seen anything like the innards, which I brought in to ask a bit on. Later I kept telling the guy I was video-chatting with as I did this (and dismantled the entire thing to try and understand how it works), "My best guess is...." "I think...." "This likely...."
He had little faith in me and was afraid when I went to test the socket and then the old head wired onto the new plug. LOL.
One of the prongs on the four-pronged piece (I opened it up) had been loose. Another random piece that no one could really fit back in anywhere popped out and has remained out (I can find no use for it). The person who wired it last may have done it successfully, but he hardly wrapped anything in a primitive electrical tape, so thankfully no wires were touching the metal sides.
I re-used the old plug and socket. I re-wired it, of course, but tried keeping it as original as possible. Apparently in my state it is illegal to sell fabric-wrapped cords, so I went with clear vinyl.
The lamp carries 250 volts, as a note of interest, albeit it had originally been battery-operated.
Over all, a great combo of 1910s and 1920s technology MacGyvered together and now made safer (old cord was disintegrating) for regular use.
Excellent restoration job Spirit!
Thank you.