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4hv.org :: Forums :: High Voltage
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Wimshurst Generator

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Jonathan D.
Tue Jul 13 2010, 01:53AM Print
Jonathan D. Registered Member #2149 Joined: Tue Jun 02 2009, 07:32PM
Location:
Posts: 2
Hello, I have a question for anyone that has any experience with Wimshurst machines. I am friends with the head of a local science theater. They have a broken wimshurst generator that was made in the 1930's it's a larger than usual unit with a few small issues. Here is the email that the museums operator sent me:

"I have been able to find out that the Wimshurst generator was made sometime in the 1930’s. To repair it so it works will require the replacement of the chains or metal rods leading into the storage chambers and the aluminum discs on the glass plates. The value estimates I got were in the $250-$300 range. Let me know if you are interested. Have a great summer!"

I am very interested, as I am somewhat of a technology/high voltage devices/laser collector. However, I feel 250 might be a bit high for a broken machine. Besides the fact it might be impossible to find parts which would require machining new parts (I don't have access to a machine shop). Can anyone offer any advice? I wish I had pictures and the brand, I'll try and get them in the next few weeks, but if anyone has any comments based on the information I do have, please comment! Thanks

-Jonathan-
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Proud Mary
Tue Jul 13 2010, 08:19AM
Proud Mary Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992
Hello Jonathan,

many Wimshurst influence machines are one of a kind, save those made for the educational demonstration market. Needless to say, no one could give a meaningful opinion without, at the least, seeing detail photographs of the machine and its problems. It may be that the work would be better suited to an antique restoration approach, rather than mere electro-mechanical repair.
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Antonio
Wed Jul 14 2010, 12:32AM
Antonio Registered Member #834 Joined: Tue Jun 12 2007, 10:57PM
Location: Brazil
Posts: 644
Old machines are expensive. By the discription (glass plates, aluminum discs), this is probably a Toepler-Holtz, or Voss, machine, not a Wimshurst machine.
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Jonathan D.
Thu Jul 15 2010, 03:30AM
Jonathan D. Registered Member #2149 Joined: Tue Jun 02 2009, 07:32PM
Location:
Posts: 2
Thanks for the input guys, I did find out it was made by central scientific company. Since I don't have any actual pictures yet, I found this :http://www.coe.ufrj.br/~acmq/triplex.jpg to give you an idea. That is what it looks like, "basically" it's very aged and the belts (rubber) show that it is a genuine product of the early 1900's. Astonishingly many of the parts are still squeaky clean and gleaming, its aged very well. I assume the science theater that it has lived in for so long took very good care of it. One last thing, the owner said if I don't buy it, they will simply restore it and continue to use it in their science shows, so I almost feel bad to buy it. I hate to be the only person enjoying it cheesey. Thanks for any more advice in advance.

Regards,
Jonathan
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radiotech
Fri Jul 16 2010, 02:48AM
radiotech Registered Member #2463 Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546
Why dont you offer to restore it for them. It would be great opportunity to get up close to the foundational machines. After all, there is only two kinds of electricity: Vitreous and Resinous. and seperating them is what that machine does. If you buy it and get it working well, you will lose interest in it and it will sit around gathering dust. Ask any other clutter collector on 4hv.org.

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Adam Munich
Fri Jul 16 2010, 03:34AM
Adam Munich Registered Member #2893 Joined: Tue Jun 01 2010, 09:25PM
Location: Cali-forn. i. a.
Posts: 2242
Or he could give it to me... :o
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Antonio
Sun Jul 18 2010, 06:23PM
Antonio Registered Member #834 Joined: Tue Jun 12 2007, 10:57PM
Location: Brazil
Posts: 644
Ok, it is really a Wimshurst machine (that machine in the link was built by me. A double machine). I would not consider a collection of old instruments as "clutter". A machine like this is not a toy, in the other hand. If you don't know how to restore it, better to leave it with the science theater, where it will be more useful.
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