Feeder motor

[David Dunlop]

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