I never ran across this before, guys, please help me if you can.

Central RR and Banking Co. inspection car #2 was converted from a home built 1882 coach in 1904. One of the modern conveniences built in was a dry cell battery powered buzzer system to ring for the steward. Cotton insulated copper wire was strung through the framing down one side, and a now missing buzzer installed in the galley.

4 dry cells dated 1911 still exist in the wall frmaing in the galley. They are the upright cylindrical type with great red cardboard outsides and two thumbscrew terminals on the top.

They are somewhat deteriorated but, like the rest of the car, in a surprisingly good state of preservation given the history of the car.

Anybody out there have a conservation technique for these batteries? I would like to know that when the car is next worked on in another few decades they will still be in reasonable condition.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

Hi, Dave,

I guess the best way to conserve them is to keep them in the same conditions as they've been in up 'til now. If they've made it throught the last ninety years in fine shape, they should last another thirty or forty.

If the goal is to (in the course of restoring the car to operable condition) make the buzzer system operable again, then the answer becomes more complicated. The wire may need replacing, though fortunately cotton-covered wire is still available through antique electrical and electronic supply houses. (Or, you could put modern wiring under the moulding, and use bits of the old wiring that are still in good shape for the visible portions.)

Where you'd find a suitable buzzer or bell, I don't know.

As for a battery, the best bet for an authentic appearance would be to make a color photocopy (somehow) of the label on the cells, adjust the coloration to eliminate any yellowing and staining, and then print out copies for use as wrappers for modern No. 6 dry-cells. (I'm guessing that's what you have from your description-- the "No. 6" size has be around for ages upon ages.)

The cells you have are almost certainly dead. Such dry-cells have a tendency to dry out, and in any case they self-discharge after a few years. It would be a miracle if those 1911 cells had any useful charge left.

The reason why I suggest replacing the cells is that their yellowed and/or stained condition is NOT how they looked in 1911. (I may be stating the obvious, guys. Please forgive me, as I'm new to the newsgroup.) Nothing (to my mind) destroys the impression of stepping back in time when viewing a preserved item (such as a railroad car) as quickly as finding some part of it looking its age, when it's possible to "turn back the clock" for the part without damaging its authenticity. Example-- yellowed dry-cells in a cabinet that (in 1911) would have fresh ones, ready to go. You don't destroy the old cells, you just keep them in safe storage somewhere else in the museum for eventual reunion with the car, if desired.

Anyway, that's my two cents' worth. Good luck, and have fun showing it off when you finish it.

Hale

ahadams1@ix.netcom.com

Thanks for the advice - the batteries hide inside a wall cavity and preference is to leave them where they were but rat them if possible to slow deterioration. We didn't expect to find any of this stuff, it was just there when we removed some bad siding.

the car and buzzer system doesn't need to actually work, it will be only used for display once restored. It has composite trucks and wood sills and is too fragile for service.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

Final word of experience - best way to conserve is don't touch the damn things.

I tried simply lifting one to remove and copy its cardboard cover and it disintegrated in my hand. I did save the cover and the bits and pieces.

Fortunately, 3 more remain in situ and there they will remain.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

If these are the standard tall cylindrical dry cells of the old days of model airplanes, they are carbon-zinc cells. The zinc shell is gradually dissolved by the electrolyte to produce the current. My guess is that ones that old are held together by the cardboard wrapper and the zinc shell is either completely gone or gone to the extent that it provides no structural strength. Slip a flat piece of metal underneath the cell, lift it with that and place in a safe place where it won't be touched again. They cannot be restored to an original state.

76761.1407@compuserve.com