Cargo lights, Northern Electric? Portable lights
 

Guys,

I am trying to find info on the "Cargo Lights", as used on Machinery trucks and maybe on other engineers trucks as well. The pictures and drawings I have seen seem to show two bowls with the cable stored in between. Does anyone have any more info on these, as I am drawing a blank on the old interweb.

According to the manuals I have, the Canadian ones were made by Northern Electric, but that doesn't seem to help the google search. There probably was a similar lamp used on British, and maybe also Australian, Machinery or workshop trucks.


Alex

Northern Electric was a major Canadian manufacturing concern until the Japanese discovered how to make electricals and electronics faster, better, cheaper. The company was based in Montreal, ironically on the other side of a major highway from another major industry - train locomotive repairing. I think the building is now used as storage lockers for people who buy too much of that Japanese and Asian crap.

I'd love to know what "lamps, cargo, electric, assemblies" look like too. There is one on the stores listing of my CDSW LAD but I haven't the foggiest idea what it is...

Alex, those just look like cable reels for storing cables or hoses.

Thanks for your replies guys.

Jordan; I always presumed they were just cable reels as well, but the C60X manual describes them as "Cargo light", with hook assembly. Also it mentions "Northern Electric" as the manufacturer and also the type (sadly I don't have it here at the moment). As I don't have any good shots of the C60X lamps I used some shots of the Servicepub factory photos CD which show the same lamps on a 3Ton 4x4.
To me it looks like a lamp with one bowl just like any other work light, but with a second disc or bowl attached to the rear to create a reel......quite clever, but I can't find any pics of this type of lamp on the web.

Stefano; Do you know where the lamp was stored on the CDSW? That could at least give you an idea of size(?). Have you asked the Ballards?

Alex

Alex,
The lamps were stored on the front r.h. side of the body inboard of the POW frame (in the picture you can see the box), and unfortunately Rory has got as much of an idea of what they look like as I have. The only mention I have found of them is in a VAOS catalogue (section LV6 - MT3 Part 1, bulbs, glasses, horns, lamps, masks, headlamps, mirrors and windscreen wipers - Chilwell 1943 pub. N° 79/3).
Of course, obviously there is no illustration ( :doh: ), but the assembly is made up of the following:
Centre (three light)
Clips, brass, securing wire guard
Guard, wire 16" dia.
Shade, 16" I.D.
If anybody has any of these to see (or even better for sale) I would be beyond interested!!!!
Cheers,
Stef

Hi Stefano,

I think the Canadian ones might be slightly larger than 16inch, but I am not sure; the cabinet on the CDSW does look rather small.

There is a Diamond T machinery in the Canadian War museum. Anyone know if this has any of these cargo lights? The pics I can find on the web don't give a clear answer
Alex

I have seen these and similar in a number of photos of machinery lorries but never any detailed information on them. I have noticed that not all have the wire guard
Here are two photos which may help a little.
Noel

In the attached photo, behind the grinder, this is one of those lamps I believe, but from memory only had one bulb, it would be about 16 inch diam.

Richard,

Where can I get one of those British Army Beer trailers?

Lang

Hi Lang,
I am afraid you have got me on that one .......... beer trailer?

The one in the photo is a WW2 Electrical Repair trailer.

Richard

You can't fool me Richard. I can see the two beer taps on the back of the trailer.

Lang

Ah, I see now!! You are the first one who noticed them and I have posted this pic on a forum before.
Got to keep the troops well oiled :drunk:

Richard

Lads, thanks again for all your replies.

Noel. The Sikorski collection; why didn't I think of that! Thanks. I had a good look at their picture yesterday-night and found another picture of the light apart from the picture you posted. It seems the Canadian ones had 4 bulbs, a grille and a second bowl so the complete unit looks like a reel and can be used to store the cable.

Richard. Excellent. It does indeed look like one of these lights ( and a hard hat :D). I had a look at John Cordens terrific resto blog on HMVF and found some good pictures of these lights. It seems the British ones didn't have the second bowl and cable storage as per the Canadian ones. The one shown on HMVF has three bulbs and was made by Maxlume....maybe that wil help Stefano.


hmm....that Maxlume lamp looks identical to a Weber BBQ and the grille is already provided....that combined with the beer taps....good idea Lang!

Alex