How To: New Wire-5 project (Bergeron)

[Robert Bergeron]

Here is our first prototype generator control panel. Found real Balkelite sheats . My friend Yves C is working with hos homemade CNC machine cutter . Not bad for a first try i would say .

[Robert Bergeron]

Found this also ….

[Robert Bergeron]

I also have two of these stove switches coming in the mail . We are going to make a final choice when they all arrive . Height and diameter are of particular importance for our control panels .

[Harry Moon]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Here is our first prototype generator control panel. Found real Balkelite sheats . My friend Yves C is working with hos homemade CNC machine cutter . Not bad for a first try i would say .

you should consider etching out the holes too.

[Robert Bergeron]

You are absolutely right Harry and it is what we are going to do as soon as the switches arrive . On another subject i have just finished restoring a C-5 Canadian Charging panel . This one is different from my other panel . It has got extra posts . The current will not go through the posts were my fingers are pointing and work properly unless we install a wire between them . Q : Could a fuse of been used on this panel ?

[Robert Bergeron]

SW/BD CHARGING NO5 C MKI RMSA38 Serial No C445 . I am beginning to think this charging panel is a later variant ( MKI ) . It is very possible it was more complicated and had fuses and that my friend would be an excellent idea . My other panel has not such provision . I will check later if the designation is different .

[Robert Bergeron]

My other panel : SW/ BD CHARGING NO C5 ( Canadian ) serial No 23280. RCA 101975-501. So this is the early model and my other the subsequent model ( MKI ) .

[Robert Bergeron]

Note the absence of the second row of posts incorporated in the MKI version .He is below my panel a picture of Simon King’s panel .

[Robert Bergeron]

Source Sigs Museum Kingston . I might of just found myself a NO19 HP set Switchboard Charging panel with the extra posts …

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Harry Moon

you should consider etching out the holes too.

No etching!! The letters were printed on. The best solution is white ink (yes, there is such a thing) and a Leroy lettering set. It duplicates the lettering almost 100%. A coat of clearcoat and Bob's 'yer uncle (or at least Robert).

The early No.5.....I haven't see one like that before. If fuses are attached to those inboard posts they would probably be under the front panel (easy to check, or at least see where the wires go), but that would make them quite a chore to replace. I have doubts they would have used those post to wire fuses elsewhere as that would defeat the purpose of the switchboard and its mobility. The C5 for the Amplified set has two more posts top left in line with the regular ones.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Bruce , i knew you were nearby . I am not etching the C5 panels but the truck control panels don’t worry . The C5 were definitely painted and that is why they are so faded now . As for the discussion on these it is because it is part of the complete Truck installation kit . No Wire-5 truck is complete without one . That so little is known about them surprises me . You mean to say Bruce that you have never seen one like my MKI ? This adds to the knowledge library then . Can you post a picture of the amplified set one please so we can compare ?

[Chris Suslowicz]

What's the wiring like behind the panel, around the extra pairs of studs?

My suspicion is that it's for something like a WS52 installation with extra battery pairs (possibly because they were short of the 200 Amp Hour units and had to make do with the 100/125AH ones instead). If so the upper and lower pairs of studs will be connected in parallel behind the panel.

It's also meant to be used with two chore-horse charging sets (according to my reading of the panel lettering). The upper two switches select which batteries are feeding the output terminals (left hand switch) and internal lighting (right hand switch), while the lower pair select the charging source (Chore Horse 1 or Chore Horse 2) for Battery 1 (Left) or Battery 2 (Right).

(On my British charging switchboard No.5, the charging sources are Vehicle Generator/Dynamo and Charging Set.)

Best regards,
Chris.

[Robert Bergeron]

Here you are Chris .

[Robert Bergeron]

Another shot without a tool obstructing the view of the wires .