Large Industrial Grade Rheostats (lot Of 2)- W. Leonard Elect. Co.

US $57

Bedford, Indiana, United States
Jun 2nd

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Lot of 2 INDUSTRIAL GRADE RHEOSTAT (Dimmers), made by Ward Leonard Electric Co., of Mount Vernon, NY, Made in USA Very heavy units that originally sat in a recessed metal cabinet. They originally both had dimmer knobs and controlled lighting in a church sanctuary. They were replaced with smaller individual, more efficient dimmers after 48-50 years of use. Originally installed in 1962 RHEOSTAT #1 (Stamped # 194208), has a large internal copper coil (5-1/2" diameter) with hundreds of individual copper wire strands running perpendicular to rheostat dial. The external plats are aluminum cast, with front piece having 4 triangular breathing ports, plated by a fiberglass shielding disk. In the center of the unit is a cylindrical shaft with ball bearings and a front dial that adjusts the dimmer plate, which is on the back side. The rheostat dial is a black plastic piece held by 2 screws & a threaded piece of the cylindrical center shaft. The dimmer plate on the back is also aluminum cast and has a bearing seat for the cylindrical shaft, and a connection terminal wire point along the edge. On the internal portion of this back plate is a commutator brush which rubs up against the copper field coil, and a circular copper bushing. Facing the front, to the NE (about 1-2 o'clock) is a plastic square base that is mounted and contains electrical contact points (screws) and a porcelain fuse holder. RHEOSTAT #2 (stamped # 194208, as well) is just a bit smaller than #1. The copper coil is 5" in diameter. This item comes with the original dial. The front plate is very similar except it has a gear at the end of the central cylindrical shaft. The back side has a 1" rounded shaft that adjust outwardly (this may have lined up with the other rheostat & they both worked in tandem??). The top right corner does have the exact Variable resistor connector plate & terminal screws, but the porcelain fuse socket is different (smaller & taller). Fuse is included. Metal Bases measure about 7"W x 2" deep. From front plate to back plate, each unit measures about 3-1/2". Each unit stands about 8" tall from base to top of fuse holder---Originally, these large rheostats were enclosed in a recessed metal box and protruded through a metal plate with a dimmer knob to operate. Included with this sale is one of the original metal plates.ITEMS WORKED WHEN THEY CAME OUT OF CABINET (About 2010-2011). *Note there was a front metal face plate to cover the recessed box, and this piece has been mislocated. If found, will add to this collection. A PIECE OF INDUSTRIAL YESTERYEAR Value in copper & aluminum, but certainly a neat addition to any vintage industrial or lighting collection. COMES AS IS