How To: New Wire-5 project (Bergeron)

[Robert Bergeron]

The fuse holders are from scrounged obsolete fuse panels and the fuses are from the hardware store . I use a standard built 12 X 12 inch electrical box with a cover that opens to the right You then punch out the holes as needed .I will admit this control panel is the most challenging part of the generator system restoration . You will understand the wiring of all this when you get the nice enlarged diagram i sent you by mail yesterday . It’s not for the faint of heart so to speak , it is complicated .The little switch on the bottom right is just a standard flip switch . It ´s neat function is to source the power from the two battery banks to start a generator . You get twice the amperage for start up . Don’t forget to switch it off when not starting as the warning says «* on for starting only «* The normal position is «*off*» .

[Robert Bergeron]

Scrounging fuse holder from old style fuse panels .

[Robert Bergeron]

Currently working on making control panels . Have the Bakelite panels now . Had found the stove switches and fuse holders / brackets as previously said . This is what the control panel looks like on a software used in engraving . Something neat i had not noticed before is that the amperage of the fuses was engraved behind them on the panel . Makes sense . I did not know because i had always had a look at panels with fuses on them thus blocking the view .

[Robert Bergeron]

Interestingly enough , our C-5 Canadian charging panels were controlled by stove like snap switches . The generator and battery control panel in the Wire -5 trucks used the same switches . They were common commercialy available parts in the 30s and 40s . With a little fiddling this one will become a control panel switch in the near future . Stay tuned .

[Robert Bergeron]

Here is our first prototype generator control panel. Found real Balkelite sheats . My friend Yves C is working with hos homemade CNC machine cutter . Not bad for a first try i would say .

[Robert Bergeron]

Found this also ….

[Robert Bergeron]

I also have two of these stove switches coming in the mail . We are going to make a final choice when they all arrive . Height and diameter are of particular importance for our control panels .

[Harry Moon]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Here is our first prototype generator control panel. Found real Balkelite sheats . My friend Yves C is working with hos homemade CNC machine cutter . Not bad for a first try i would say .

you should consider etching out the holes too.

[Robert Bergeron]

You are absolutely right Harry and it is what we are going to do as soon as the switches arrive . On another subject i have just finished restoring a C-5 Canadian Charging panel . This one is different from my other panel . It has got extra posts . The current will not go through the posts were my fingers are pointing and work properly unless we install a wire between them . Q : Could a fuse of been used on this panel ?

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Harry Moon

you should consider etching out the holes too.

No etching!! The letters were printed on. The best solution is white ink (yes, there is such a thing) and a Leroy lettering set. It duplicates the lettering almost 100%. A coat of clearcoat and Bob's 'yer uncle (or at least Robert).

The early No.5.....I haven't see one like that before. If fuses are attached to those inboard posts they would probably be under the front panel (easy to check, or at least see where the wires go), but that would make them quite a chore to replace. I have doubts they would have used those post to wire fuses elsewhere as that would defeat the purpose of the switchboard and its mobility. The C5 for the Amplified set has two more posts top left in line with the regular ones.