Wow - that arc lamp is a real gem! Until you mentioned the ballast resistors I didn't notice them and was marvelling that the carbon rods provided enough resistance to limit the current. Stunning that it is in almost new condition. Your comment at the end about trying not to bring home to much stuff and become a hoarder gave me a good laugh - I have exactly the same problem :)
That carbon arc lamp is pretty neat, I wouldn't mind making one. It's quieter than I would expect, I haven't really seen a carbon arc lamp before. I've used an arc torch with my stickwelder since I don't have an oxyacetylene setup, and I know when I'm using it, I'll don coveralls, gloves, even shoes, so as to protect myself from the UV light. I don't like being sunburned very much. One day I was doing a lot of tacking, for an eight hour work day, at one job I had. My neck was bothering me from flipping my hood down so much, so I just put on some oxygas goggles and closed my eyes every time I laid a tack or short weld down. That wasn't wise. That night, I couldn't sleep on my side, my face was too tender. Luckily it was winter so there was plenty of cool air. For the next few days, I kept peeling off pieces of face. I don't know how some of the old timers do it, or how they did it back in the day when they just wore welding goggles. I don't mind admitting that I'm not as tough as they were, that was an unpleasant experience.
It was laughable! I actually talked to the seller and they told me they knew how it worked and that "this plug (the decorative cap over the sulphur diuoxide system test port) this is where you put in the KEROSENE because it is a kerosene powered refrigerator...." I proceeded to ask them a bunch of questions and let them dig a deeper hole until I explained that I was already knowledgeable about them and that it was electric and missing the power cord and that if they took that plug out they would gas out everyone in the antique mall with SO2. They called me an idiot.
Some fine purchases, thank you for sharing. I remember making a carbon arc lamp with a friend using a plan the science teacher gave us. Used D battery carbon cores and a pyrex dish filled with salty water as the resistor. ( Tin can lids with holes punched for attaching wires.) Thankfully my friend brought his father's welding mask for viewing!
I cant believe it - I did almost the same thing, only used an old toaster as the ballast resistor. Saltwater was a common way to make high power resistors or heaters back then - when I was a kid we had a humidifier that had two electrodes in saltwater to make the water boil. Amazing we all survived back then with scarily dangerous things like that. In case anyone tries this - its worth emphasizing the welders mask you mentioned. The arc is just like that from a welder and the UV can damage your eyes quite easily without protection. You can also get a real sunburn from exposure to the UV from the arc.
Oh that thing'll give you a sun tan alright. Not the kind that you want! More like a sun burn. Especially on your eyeballs. You know, it would actually be safe and maybe effective for tanning if only it had a sheet of regular glass in front of it. I have an antique ice box... now that you mention the gasket, I notice there really is no room for a gasket on mine. I think their goal was just to have the woodwork be precise enough to make a mostly tight seal.
Wow - that arc lamp is a real gem! Until you mentioned the ballast resistors I didn't notice them and was marvelling that the carbon rods provided enough resistance to limit the current. Stunning that it is in almost new condition.
Your comment at the end about trying not to bring home to much stuff and become a hoarder gave me a good laugh - I have exactly the same problem :)
That green heater from the antique hunt was tuff looking.
Ty for sharing
That carbon arc lamp is pretty neat, I wouldn't mind making one. It's quieter than I would expect, I haven't really seen a carbon arc lamp before. I've used an arc torch with my stickwelder since I don't have an oxyacetylene setup, and I know when I'm using it, I'll don coveralls, gloves, even shoes, so as to protect myself from the UV light. I don't like being sunburned very much. One day I was doing a lot of tacking, for an eight hour work day, at one job I had. My neck was bothering me from flipping my hood down so much, so I just put on some oxygas goggles and closed my eyes every time I laid a tack or short weld down. That wasn't wise. That night, I couldn't sleep on my side, my face was too tender. Luckily it was winter so there was plenty of cool air. For the next few days, I kept peeling off pieces of face. I don't know how some of the old timers do it, or how they did it back in the day when they just wore welding goggles. I don't mind admitting that I'm not as tough as they were, that was an unpleasant experience.
Nice antique find
Insane how much they wanted for that Globe Top.
It was laughable! I actually talked to the seller and they told me they knew how it worked and that "this plug (the decorative cap over the sulphur diuoxide system test port) this is where you put in the KEROSENE because it is a kerosene powered refrigerator...." I proceeded to ask them a bunch of questions and let them dig a deeper hole until I explained that I was already knowledgeable about them and that it was electric and missing the power cord and that if they took that plug out they would gas out everyone in the antique mall with SO2. They called me an idiot.
That ice box is fantastic! Try an infrared light on the ink on the back. Perhaps it'll have a few clues.
Some fine purchases, thank you for sharing. I remember making a carbon arc lamp with a friend using a plan the science teacher gave us. Used D battery carbon cores and a pyrex dish filled with salty water as the resistor. ( Tin can lids with holes punched for attaching wires.) Thankfully my friend brought his father's welding mask for viewing!
Thanks Brian. Sounds like a cool project you did! Happy to hear that you enjoyed my video.
I cant believe it - I did almost the same thing, only used an old toaster as the ballast resistor. Saltwater was a common way to make high power resistors or heaters back then - when I was a kid we had a humidifier that had two electrodes in saltwater to make the water boil. Amazing we all survived back then with scarily dangerous things like that.
In case anyone tries this - its worth emphasizing the welders mask you mentioned. The arc is just like that from a welder and the UV can damage your eyes quite easily without protection. You can also get a real sunburn from exposure to the UV from the arc.
Oh that thing'll give you a sun tan alright. Not the kind that you want! More like a sun burn. Especially on your eyeballs. You know, it would actually be safe and maybe effective for tanning if only it had a sheet of regular glass in front of it. I have an antique ice box... now that you mention the gasket, I notice there really is no room for a gasket on mine. I think their goal was just to have the woodwork be precise enough to make a mostly tight seal.
man up and plug it in