This is Sweden calling!
A lovely Edison Nickel iron (NiFe) lamp from a submarine (circa 1960)
Made by Mine Safety Appliances Co Ltd, Queenslie Industrial Estate, Glasgow E3
Photographs by
Gunnar Murath of Sweden.
Write up by
Dorian Stonehouse
Hello again readers.
Mr Gunnar Murath of Sweden has very kindly sent us these photographs of his cherished Edison Nickel Iron (NiFe) handlamp type L.H. which was made in Glasgow cira 1960.
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A lovely Edison Nickel iron (NiFe) lamp from a submarine (circa 1960)
Made by Mine Safety Appliances Co Ltd, Queenslie Industrial Estate, Glasgow E3
The featured model was made by Mine Safety Appliances Co Ltd, Queenslie Industrial Estate, Glasgow E3
A lovely Edison Nickel iron (NiFe) lamp from a submarine (circa 1960)
Made by Mine Safety Appliances Co Ltd, Queenslie Industrial Estate, Glasgow E3
The reflector must be somewhere!
So, I will dig around to see if Gunnar sent us a photograph of the reflector, but if you need information on this and other maintenance information, please click on the link below:
Some pros and cons of the Edison handlamp
These Edision NiFe handlamps are classed as “none toxic.”
For example, during charging, there is no acrid sulphuric acid fumes to worry about and the lamps are very safe to charge (will not blow up or burn) and they last for decades.
However, compared to other types of batteries the Edison battery is heavy and inefficiency, with the amount of energy obtained from them after a 100% charge being around 60 %, compared to 80% and 90% for lead acid and lithium ion batteries.
A lovely Edison Nickel iron (NiFe) lamp from a submarine (circa 1960)
Made by Mine Safety Appliances Co Ltd, Queenslie Industrial Estate, Glasgow E3
Before starting serious restoration work, check wiring for corrosion
This is really important because I have opened the lid on a few of these handlamps to find the wiring eaten away by corrosion!
However, the wiring on this Edison handlamp appears really good, with no corrosion visible.
The reflector housing is in good condition, with no more than a dab of Vaseline required for a bit of lubrication
A lovely Edison Nickel iron (NiFe) lamp from a submarine (circa 1960)
Made by Mine Safety Appliances Co Ltd, Queenslie Industrial Estate, Glasgow E3
These electrolyte containers have lasted for over 60 years.
But due to their age they are often cracked and leaky, which is why Gunnar seems to have removed them.
For more details click on this link: EDISON MODEL P. NiFe BATTERY
Off with those rubber boots
The iron negative plates are shown bare, while the rubber containers, which used to carry electrolyte, have been removed
What a difference a good clean makes – the cells all cleaned up, with an extra one found
The positive nickel (III) oxide-hydroxide tubes are shown bare, while the rubber containers, which used to carry electrolyte, have been removed
Time to inspect those Nickel tubes for integrity
In the above photograph the nickel-containing tube (left) appears nice and clean. However there seems to be some nickel oxide on the outside of the right perforated tube.
Therefore, depending on the quantity of nickel lost, this could mean a reduction in power from the right-hand cells.
Work in progress is going great on the Edison Nickel Iron (NiFe) handlamp type L.H.
We do not know yet if Gunnar intends replacing the rubber container boots on his handlamp. But it would be a real treat to see this beautiful vintage lamp lighting up the dark nights very soon.
Until next time, goodbye
Dorian.
Donations of scientific items and lamps most welcome for possible featuring on electrosparkles.com
If readers would like to make a donation to us of any unwanted lamps or scientific apparatus (the more unusual the item – the better), then please contact me by email:
doriansto@aol.com
Best wishes to all
Dorian.