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Edison 6KW, 125Volt Bipolar Dynamo

Edison Bipolar Dynamo (Generator)

Monday, February 15, 2016

 

 

An Edison Direct Current 6 kilowatt, 125-volt, bipolar dynamo/generator comes alive in the Edmonton Power Historical Foundation (ephf.ca) Museum.
This  vintage 1890 Edison Bipolar Dynamo (direct current generator) arrived at the museum in October 2014, from Grand Forks B.C. and over the next couple of years museum staff worked diligently cleaning it and restoring it to its former glory, with all the brass and copper fittings gleaming brightly. 
The armature and field coil electrical integrity checked out okay, and the field coils were wrapped with manila rope. The base, frame, and wood terminal boards were refurbished and painted.

Due to the fragility of this ~125 yr old machine, it would be impractical and dangerous to run it fast enough to generate the rated voltage and current, consequently it now only runs as a low voltage direct current electric motor.
To display the dynamo running at slow speed (0-150 rpm), a PWM (pulse width modulator) speed controller powered by a 12-volt battery was connected. Two vintage voltmeters, an ammeter and two switches were incorporated into the display. A timer circuit stops the unit after a 40 second run. Visitors seem to enjoy starting the unit with the vintage switch, watching the armature slowly accelerating to 60 to 85 rpm.

This Edison Bipolar Dynamo (direct current generator)  arrived at the museum in October 2014, from Grand Forks B.C.          

  • Edison General Electric Co.
  • Schenectady Works
  • No. 803
  • 6 kilo-watts
  • 125 Volts D.C
  • Edison System Patented 1879 - 1882

 

View the Video on you Tube!

Categories: Generators Collection
Tags: Motors

Author: ephf
Edmonton Power Historical Foundation is a non-profit society dedicated to preserving the history of electric power in the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta, for the education and entertainment of current and future generations.
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Edmonton Power Historical Foundation

Location: 

We are located on the grounds of the Leduc West Antique Museum. Travel 5 km west of Leduc on Highway 39. Go north on Range Road 260 (Cohne Dale Road) for about 800 metres and the museum will be on your right. If you're coming from the west, Cohne Dale Road is 5km east of Highway 60.

Hours of operation 2026

On September 19, after a very succesful Lesco Truck Show, we closed our doors and shuttered our windows, as the 2026 season ended and winter began it's inexorable approach. The Edmonton Power Historical Foundation Museum may be closed, but the the Leduc Country Lights will be coming to the Leduc West Antique Society park. For the entire month of December the park will be lit with thousands of festive lights creating a magical winter wonderland that is an absolute joy to behold! Bring the whole family and wander in wonder at this amazing display.

Our 2027 dates will be published here as soon as they are annonced. We hope to see you in the spring!

 

 

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