Heads Up: Battery battery charging station switchboard charging 1260Watt No.1

[Neil Ashley]

I know someone in the UK who has them NoS.

[Jordan Baker]

What were these used for? Would they have been part of the on board equipment for 15cwt wireless trucks?

[Neil Ashley]

No, used for charging banks of batteries at Company/Squadron Level. The Generators were manufactured by a number of manufactures including, JAP, Petter, Villars, Onan etc.

After the Chorehorses they would have ben the most common class of Generator in use.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Neil Ashley

No, used for charging banks of batteries at Company/Squadron Level. The Generators were manufactured by a number of manufactures including, JAP, Petter, Villars, Onan etc.

After the Chorehorses they would have ben the most common class of Generator in use.

Yes. Because you couldn't use charging sets close to the front line (and wanted a minimum of encumbrances in case you needed to advance (or withdraw) at short notice), regular resupply (rations, water, ammunition, mail and freshly charged batteries) was standard practice during WW2 and later.

Post-WW2 there were 3 and 4-ton lorries fitted out as dedicated battery charging vehicles, with a large (110 or 230 volt AC) generator and banks of individual metal rectifier chargers (plus ventilation fans to prevent a buildup of explosive gases).

Chris.