[Milsurplus] Edison/Tesla battle finally ends in NYC.

[Bob Camp]

Hi

The farm power systems at 28 volts pre-dated anything in a automobile  
or an airplane. Like the rest of them I'm sure the lead acid  
connection had an influence on the voltage chose. Of course the rail  
systems had their own setups a long time back. They are what Edison  
was working on when he decided we needed Ni-Cads.

At some point the military, especially the Navy started using  
electrical control. That stuff dated into the late 1800's. We don't  
normally see a lot of electrical mil surplus from the 1870's other  
than telegraph. It would be interesting to see what else they used.

Bob

On Nov 23, 2007, at 11:37 AM, Brooke Clarke wrote:

> Hi John:
>
> I think if you got the polarity wrong the filaments would light, but  
> no harm would come to the radio, so just plug in the other way.
>
> Hi Bob:
>
> It seems that automotive electrical systems are based on the 2 volt  
> lead acid cell.  At first "6 volt" and later "12 volt" versions.   
> The military electrical systems are twice an automotive "12 volt" or  
> "24 volts".  Aircraft systems are called "14 volt" or "28 volt" but  
> are really identical to the "12 volt" and "24 volt" systems.
>
> The reason for the quote marks is to emphasize that these are not  
> actual voltages, but rather system names.  The actual voltage you  
> measure depends on if the battery is dead then it's 12 volts,  
> charged and sitting with no load then it's 13.something, or being  
> charged then it's 14.something.  The last one is the case when an  
> airplane is flying, hence the "14 volt" system name.
>
> George Westinghouse was selling an A.C. based street lighting system  
> in competition with Edison's DC system.  It was much more efficient  
> because of the use of transformers.  A.C. generators are easier to  
> make than DC generators. The bit that Tesla provided was the A.C.  
> motor.  But he also invented many improvements to all of the  
> electrical system.  For a short list of his patents see my Electro- 
> magnetic Toy Engine web page (check out the videos of the toy motor  
> running) at: http://www.prc68.com/I/EM_ToyEngine.shtml
>
> The name "Toy Engine", coined at or prior to 1908, was chosen for an  
> electrical motor that imitated the operation of an engine.  Note an  
> engine works by heat, i.e. steam engine, gasoline engine, diesel  
> engine.  Motors operate from a source of energy other than heat,  
> i.e. starter motor, air motor, etc.
>
> -- 
> Have Fun,
>
> Brooke Clarke
> http://www.PRC68.com
> http://www.precisionclock.com
> http://www.prc68.com/I/WebCam2.shtml 24/7 Sky-Weather-Astronomy Cam
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