Feeder motor
 

Trying to identify an electric motor dated 1942, made by Sperry Gyroscope Co, 75 volt, called a 'Feeder Motor'. Part number 77048.

I'll post some photos tomorrow when I have some light.

Any ideas?

Keith. Among other things during the war, Sperry built 60" AA Searchlights, along with GE.

Sounds like this motor might be part of the feeder system for the carbon rods.

The side of the light has a special viewing port to monitor the arc gap. Once the Generator is powered up and all checks done, one of the crew brings the two carbon rods close together to spark the arc and then set the correct arc gap. The correct spark gap must be maintained between the two carbon rods to keep the searchlight lit. The problem is that as the arc burns, the gap gets bigger because the carbon rods are being consumed in the process.

Sperry developed an electromechanical feed system for these lights that feeds the carbon rods forward at the correct rate to maintain the arc. The specs for your motor sound about right for that system.

David

Motor
 

Many thanks David, I think you may have nailed it.

Photo attached. It is really well protected in original box.

This and three others belong to a friend who is happy to sell them.

Hhmmm. Buy the feeder motors and then build a searchlight around them. :rolleyes

But then I'd have to find the generator. And then the control unit. And then the two cable carts. And then the cables... :doh:

David

And more...
 

And the CCKWs to transport the searchlight and tow the trailer!

Rats! The little bits would fit in the garage just fine. Hadn't thought of the tractor however.

Actually, I am not even sure what the wartime Canadian Army even used as 60" inch Searchlight Tractors here on the home front. I think one RCA Searchlight group served in South England during the early war but used Matadors there. Don't know if any Matadors made it to this side of the pond. Maybe we used FWD's or larger CMP's as Searchlight Tractors over here.

David