Bhigdog Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 (edited) First, sorry for the pix size. I can't figure out how to down size them......... For some reason I have a fetish for vintage battery chargers. I've repaired, refurbished, restored 5 of them now. Below is my latest. I found it on FB market place for $50 and though 6 volt only It was love at first sight. It's a Speed Way Charger and was built on December 3, 1943 by the Franklin Transformer Co. The company, over the years, branched into freezers and was bought and sold by Studebaker, White industries (trucks), General Motors (Frigidare), and finally by Electrolux who still own it making freezers. The charger has a big 26 plate copper oxide rectifier and huge multi-tap transformer rated for 80 amps @ 6 volts. It actually did not take too much to bring it back to full function. I had to make new castor wheels, front trim pieces, repair the clock work timer and clean the tap selector contacts. Every thing else worked including the meter and the old rectifier stack. AMAZING! The charger was built back when things were built for quality and to last. The battery clamps are solid bronze, all the electrical connections inside are hand soldered, the meter is obviously top grade and is accurate and smooth, the unit weights about 200 pounds. So, although it likely won't ever be used, it is again fully functional, and gives me pleasure both in just admiring it and knowing I saved it from the scrap pile.............Bob Edited January 29 by Bhigdog (see edit history) 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 Thats awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 That's cool, very art deco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted January 29 Author Share Posted January 29 (edited) Two of my others along with my restored 1930's Ingersol-Rand T-30 Compressor. Also a bit art deco.........Bob Edited January 29 by Bhigdog (see edit history) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeke01 Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 1 hour ago, Bhigdog said: Two of my others along with my restored 1930's Ingersol-Rand T-30 Compressor. Also a bit art deco.........Bob I have the twin to the charger on the right. Zeke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted January 29 Author Share Posted January 29 I usually don,t name my cars or gear but i did name that one. I call it R2D2......bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGerman Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 Awesome, today a 12V battery charger made in China fits into your pocket. but it will for sure not last 80 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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