Edison Bipolar Dynamo (Generator)

An Edison Direct Current 6 kilowatt, 125-volt, bipolar dynamo/generator comes alive in the Edmonton Power Historical Foundation (ephf.ca) Museum.
This  vintage 1890 Edison Bipolar Dynamo (direct current generator) arrived at the museum in October 2014, from Grand Forks B.C. and over the next couple of years museum staff worked diligently cleaning it and restoring it to its former glory, with all the brass and copper fittings gleaming brightly. 
The armature and field coil electrical integrity checked out okay, and the field coils were wrapped with manila rope. The base, frame, and wood terminal boards were refurbished and painted.

Due to the fragility of this ~125 yr old machine, it would be impractical and dangerous to run it fast enough to generate the rated voltage and current, consequently it now only runs as a low voltage direct current electric motor.
To display the dynamo running at slow speed (0-150 rpm), a PWM (pulse width modulator) speed controller powered by a 12-volt battery was connected. Two vintage voltmeters, an ammeter and two switches were incorporated into the display. A timer circuit stops the unit after a 40 second run. Visitors seem to enjoy starting the unit with the vintage switch, watching the armature slowly accelerating to 60 to 85 rpm.

This Edison Bipolar Dynamo (direct current generator)  arrived at the museum in October 2014, from Grand Forks B.C.          

• Edison General Electric Co.
• Schenectady Works
• No. 803
• 6 kilo-watts
• 125 Volts D.C
• Edison System Patented 1879 - 1882

View the Video on you Tube!