1944 C-15A-Wire-5 Restoration

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you Bruce . Two antennas , one send and one receive . There are two 12 V outlets in the box . One above the charger control box and the other above the door near the blackout switch . Q : What 12 V instrument / light / tool plugs into these outlets ?
. The outlets are clearly indicated on the wiring diagram and are positively 12 V . What are they for ?? Any guesses ? Another information : Both outlets cut off when either the generator compartment door or the main door open by effect of the cut off switches on either door .
Attachment 117905

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Another shot. It is crooked but you get the idea . The outlets are clearly indicated on the wiring diagram and are positively 12 V . What are they for ?? Any guesses ?

Can you give me more information? Why are these 12v and where does the current come from? They sure look like period 120V outlets.

I know of no wireless gear or associated piece of equipment that would plug into a socket like that other than a 120v appliance. 12V items used terminal strips and wing nuts or specialized sockets.

[Jordan Baker]

Could it be for a lamp like this? I’ll take a better picture of the plug tomorrow

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Bruce and Jordan . These outlets draw current from the batteries . They are connected to the line that feeds the internal lighting and roof fan and are protected by a 10 Amp fuse in the control panel . So with the fan drawing 3.5-4 amps and the two lights drawing 1.5 there is not much left . Like Jordan is telling us , maybe a trouble or reading lamp of some kind ?

[Jordan Baker]

This lamp has a twist lock type plug. So I don’t think it was used in the application for your plugs.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

This lamp has a twist lock type plug. So I don’t think it was used in the application for your plugs.

Jordan, what kind of bulb does it take? Can you tell if it's 12 or 120 volts?

For Bob's 2K1 either an operator's or trouble lamp seems the most likely use for those sockets. The 'T' shape of the slot would prevent a 12V appliance being accidentally plugged into a 120V socket. Zap.

[Grant Bowker]

Some T shapes outlets are meant to accept plugs with blades in either orientation, either vertical or horizontal rather than a T shaped blade. Most of the "adaptable" outlets I've seen only have 1 T slot with the other a normal blade.


I don't know if the NEMA standards for outlets and plugs had been developed by wartime, certainly not with the ground lug.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Grant ( Bowker ) Can’t find my peculiar set of blades in your very nice table of designs .This outlet is over the door , nearer the cypher clerk while the other is over the control panel nearer the radio operator . Not enough current to power a radio ( 60 Amp fuse for the radios vs 10 Amps for this circuit ) but surely enough for a trouble or reading lamp .

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Thanks Bruce and Jordan . These outlets draw current from the batteries . They are connected to the line that feeds the internal lighting and roof fan and are protected by a 10 Amp fuse in the control panel . So with the fan drawing 3.5-4 amps and the two lights drawing 1.5 there is not much left . Like Jordan is telling us , maybe a trouble or reading lamp of some kind ?

If it's coming off the 12V circuit via the lighting blackout switch then there must have been a lamp available that could be plugged into it. I'd suspect a desk light for the cipher clerk at the very least. Possibly a soldering iron could be used off it for running repairs as well?

The radio operator may well have had a better lamp than the roof lighting - there were operator desk lamps with low power bulbs for various command vehicles and radio trucks.

Chris.