A Quick Trip Through Nebraska

[Tom Wesenberg]

Friday at 5:15 AM I left to pick up the Delco Light Plant, located just west of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. My GPS listed the trip at 840 miles, which I thought was too far, so I checked with Google Maps, and used their directions, which cut the trip to 718 miles. I headed southwest on 169 until I was to turn west on I 90. Well, as my luck goes, a semi was on my right and blocking my view of the road signs, so I missed my turnoff at I 90. I drove another 20 miles before I knew for sure that I had missed my turn, so at that point I decided it was best to continue to head south and west rather than turn back. The roads were great, and the traffic was almost nonexistent, so this was a good alternative.

Another good thing about missing my turn was this route took me through the Nebraska Sandhills, a place I'd never been before, and only heard of them about 15 years earlier. I forgot to take my camera, so you'll have to Google "Nebraska Sandhills" to see pictures of them. They were much larger than I'd ever imagined, and about 5 miles into them I saw a large sign in someone's front yard that read "SAVE OUR SANDHILLS". I wasn't sure what that was about, because the sandhills are so large I can't imaging them going away any time soon.

About 50 miles into the sandhills I saw an RV/Mobile Home Park, and I couldn't imagine that being out in the middle of nowhere. After I read about the sandhills on Google, I learned they actually have a large aquifer and deer in the area, so I imagine the trailer park was for hunting and fishing. The sandhills had several very large cattle ranches, but the homes were several miles apart because of the large area of land needed to support the cattle. I was thinking a school bus driver must have to travel a hundred miles just to pick up 10 students.

If you thought the old water windmills were a thing of the past, you'll change your mind when you drive through the sandhills. I saw hundreds of them, and they were all still working to keep the stock tanks full of water. In fact some looked brand new, so some company must still be making them.

I didn't see any interesting antique shops to stop at, and in fact there were only a few small towns along the way. I didn't realize Nebraska was so sparsely populated. The only Model A's I saw on the trip were in front of a small town bodyshop. I didn't know if they were to attract attention, for sale, or maybe they were a customer's awaiting some restoration work.

The Delco 850 Light Plant weighs 425 pounds, so I wasn't sure if I should take my small trailer, or remove my back seat cushion and stow in inside the car. My 1999 Olds 88 got just over 33 miles per gallon on the way there, and just over 34 MPG on the way home, so I'm glad I put the Delco inside the car rather than use the trailer. Even the small trailer knocks my mileage down to 24 MPG.

After getting the Delco loaded in the car I stopped at a gas station in Scottsbluff to plan my return route. When I parked and looked out the window, I saw a pink bra on the shrub, so this was my only souvenir of the whole trip. My return route took me through the Rosebud Indian Reservation and other parts of South Dakota I hadn't seen before. I like road trips and seeing new places, though I rarely get the chance to take them. I had intended to drive straight north to Murdo, South Dakota to see if the nice car museum was still there, but again I made the wrong turn and headed east too quickly, so I caught I 90 quite a bit east of Murdo.

By this time it was getting dark, so I didn't mind being back on the interstate, since there is nothing to be seen in the dark anyway. The entire trip was 1500 miles in 36 hours, and I enjoyed it, but should have got out of the car more and taken time to read each Historical Marker that I passed.

If this read was boring, you can blame Mike V. because if he hadn't posted the ebay link on this Fordbarn thread (link below) a few weeks ago, I never would have known about the Delco on ebay. Mike can blame Pat Grant for starting the thread about a 32 volt fan to use in his Model A. So, you can see how the action of one man can affect the lives of so many others. Now, where have I heard that before? Oh well, it's a wonderful life.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...o+light&page=2

[PC/SR]

I spent a night camped out in the park of one of the small Sandhill towns. I got there late afternoon and the gas station was closed, did not have enough gas to the next town, and there were no hotels. However, the local bar/diner was open so all was well. That area really surprised me too. Sand hills in Nebraska? Thought you went to the beach for that.

[Vern]

My father's family were long time residents of the sand hills. Dad left Nebraska when he joined the Marines in 1936 and only went back every couple of years to see his folks. Our family made many summer trips there; it was great fun for a kid from the left coast. We rode horses, chased cows, fished the stock ponds and carried our .22's everywhere. All of the towns were small, but there was always a post office and a small general store. I remember the ice-cold soda pop in the cooler at the store; you had to put in the coins then run the bottle by the neck thru the maze. The cousins place had a couple of what they called "blow-outs" which were where they discarded the trash. There were always old rusted out cars like T's in them, we shot lots of holes in them. It would be interesting to go back through that part of the country, but my memories would be off I'm sure.

[CarlG]

What size is the Bra?

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Friday at 5:15 AM I left to pick up the Delco Light Plant, located just west of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. My GPS listed the trip at 840 miles, which I thought was too far, so I checked with Google Maps, and used their directions, which cut the trip to 718 miles. I headed southwest on 169 until I was to turn west on I 90. Well, as my luck goes, a semi was on my right and blocking my view of the road signs, so I missed my turnoff at I 90. I drove another 20 miles before I knew for sure that I had missed my turn, so at that point I decided it was best to continue to head south and west rather than turn back. The roads were great, and the traffic was almost nonexistent, so this was a good alternative.

Another good thing about missing my turn was this route took me through the Nebraska Sandhills, a place I'd never been before, and only heard of them about 15 years earlier. I forgot to take my camera, so you'll have to Google "Nebraska Sandhills" to see pictures of them. They were much larger than I'd ever imagined, and about 5 miles into them I saw a large sign in someone's front yard that read "SAVE OUR SANDHILLS". I wasn't sure what that was about, because the sandhills are so large I can't imaging them going away any time soon.

About 50 miles into the sandhills I saw an RV/Mobile Home Park, and I couldn't imagine that being out in the middle of nowhere. After I read about the sandhills on Google, I learned they actually have a large aquifer and deer in the area, so I imagine the trailer park was for hunting and fishing. The sandhills had several very large cattle ranches, but the homes were several miles apart because of the large area of land needed to support the cattle. I was thinking a school bus driver must have to travel a hundred miles just to pick up 10 students.

If you thought the old water windmills were a thing of the past, you'll change your mind when you drive through the sandhills. I saw hundreds of them, and they were all still working to keep the stock tanks full of water. In fact some looked brand new, so some company must still be making them.

I didn't see any interesting antique shops to stop at, and in fact there were only a few small towns along the way. I didn't realize Nebraska was so sparsely populated. The only Model A's I saw on the trip were in front of a small town bodyshop. I didn't know if they were to attract attention, for sale, or maybe they were a customer's awaiting some restoration work.

The Delco 850 Light Plant weighs 425 pounds, so I wasn't sure if I should take my small trailer, or remove my back seat cushion and stow in inside the car. My 1999 Olds 88 got just over 33 miles per gallon on the way there, and just over 34 MPG on the way home, so I'm glad I put the Delco inside the car rather than use the trailer. Even the small trailer knocks my mileage down to 24 MPG.

After getting the Delco loaded in the car I stopped at a gas station in Scottsbluff to plan my return route. When I parked and looked out the window, I saw a pink bra on the shrub, so this was my only souvenir of the whole trip. My return route took me through the Rosebud Indian Reservation and other parts of South Dakota I hadn't seen before. I like road trips and seeing new places, though I rarely get the chance to take them. I had intended to drive straight north to Murdo, South Dakota to see if the nice car museum was still there, but again I made the wrong turn and headed east too quickly, so I caught I 90 quite a bit east of Murdo.

By this time it was getting dark, so I didn't mind being back on the interstate, since there is nothing to be seen in the dark anyway. The entire trip was 1500 miles in 36 hours, and I enjoyed it, but should have got out of the car more and taken time to read each Historical Marker that I passed.

If this read was boring, you can blame Mike V. because if he hadn't posted the ebay link on this Fordbarn thread (link below) a few weeks ago, I never would have known about the Delco on ebay. Mike can blame Pat Grant for starting the thread about a 32 volt fan to use in his Model A. So, you can see how the action of one man can affect the lives of so many others. Now, where have I heard that before? Oh well, it's a wonderful life.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...o+light&page=2

Looks like you need a pickup truck............

[Synchro909]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by CarlG

What size is the Bra?

Why do you ask? You lost one???

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by CarlG

What size is the Bra?

Don't know, but it looks pretty big on the Delco. The cups look kind of flat though.

[wmws]

I have spent a lot of time in the Sandhills over the past 50 years. It is beautiful country, grass as far as you can see. Very hot in the summer and very cold and windy in the winter. It is called Gods own cow country.

[Mitch//pa]

That poor olds

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

That poor olds

Actually that's the same as two big guys in the back seat.

Another good thing about having the Delco inside the car is I got to smell that wonderful old aroma of the tool sheds back on the farm, where all the lubricants, parts and tools were kept. The engine still has the old oil in the crankcase, and it might have kerosene in the fuel tank. These can run on gas, or be started on gas and run on kerosene.

Once I use diesel to clean this up I'll probably loose that neat old smell.

Here's a link to the Sandhills:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhills_(Nebraska)

[Art Newland]

I don't know if it's OK to post info on restoring the light plant here on the Barn or not, but I for one would love to see your progress on it. If only the ole' light plant could talk... the bra too , for that matter!

[Mikeinnj]

How did you get that 425 pounds into the back seat and how are you going to get it out ?

[JDupuis]

I think that bra has been talking... But let's not make mountains out of mole hills.���� Jeff

[2manycars]

When I lived in Vermont, on the Canada border, my buddy used a Delco light plant to run his house. He said he got the light bulbs from a rail road supply, as the old rail road engines had the same voltage. He had some big fork lift alkaline batteries that he charged, and he had an inverter wired in to a 12 volt spot, so he could watch TV. He had to run the light plant while watching TV to get enough voltage. We used to go to his house on saturday night to watch Hee Haw. (call BR549) Our house only had 12 volts, and no TV.

[springerpete]

An outfit called Aermotor still makes windmills.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Mikeinnj

How did you get that 425 pounds into the back seat and how are you going to get it out ?

He had a Ford tractor with a loader, and I put my nylon strap around the rear of the generator and under the flywheel. As he lowered the bucket, I pushed the Delco in as much as I could. Once it was unhooked I only had to slide it in another 2 inches to close the door.

BTW, all the cattle I saw through the Sandhills were black angus. I felt sorry for many of them having to live in small confinement pens, where they had to walk and live in their own dung.

Railroad tracks paralleled the road through the Sandhills for a ways, and I saw several mile long coal trains, with 2 engines pulling and 2 engines pushing.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

BTW, all the cattle I saw through the Sandhills were black angus. I felt sorry for many of them having to live in small confinement pens, where they had to walk and live in their own dung.

.

That's how they get fat and plump for the auction block. Too much moving around is loss in money.

Over the winter time, the herd is brought in to tight surroundings for calving season too. I'm sure it's calving season in Nebraska just like it is in Montana, all of February and half of March.

Cowboy Ed

[Drive Shaft Dave]

Tom, are you still looking for printed material for your Delco Light Plant? I googled and found some info on it. What i found is for an 850. Let me know if you want it. Dave.

[1crosscut]

Our family has been going up to the Sandhills camping every year since 1918. I do my best to go at least two times a year. It is indeed beautiful part of our world. Tom you should have made part of your return trip through the Sandhills at night. The stars are simply breath taking. It's not at all unusual to drive 20 or more miles without seeing a house. Not many places you can go and at times not hear a single sound made by man.

[SteveB31]

My family homesteaded in the Sandhills near Moulton, Nebraska, and we have a family cemetery there with all of my family buried there. Visited there many times. I had an uncle there with a large cattle ranch. So large, he had to use a small plane to check on the cattle, and the fences. Lots of nothing there. Too quiet for me, but those that live there love the wide open spaces.

Steve @ Bert's

[SteveB31]

Also bought many Model A Fords there in the last 35 years!!!!

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Actually that's the same as two big guys in the back seat.

Another good thing about having the Delco inside the car is I got to smell that wonderful old aroma of the tool sheds back on the farm, where all the lubricants, parts and tools were kept. The engine still has the old oil in the crankcase, and it might have kerosene in the fuel tank. These can run on gas, or be started on gas and run on kerosene.

Once I use diesel to clean this up I'll probably loose that neat old smell.

Here's a link to the Sandhills:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhills_(Nebraska)

I don't know about over there but here, there used to be 2 types of Kero. Power and lighting. Only lighting is available these days and if you try running an engine on it, you will have to rebuild it very soon. It leaves a very abrasive residue when it burns which causes very rapid wear. I'd chaeck it out before using Kero, just in case.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by SteveB31

Also bought many Model A Fords there in the last 35 years!!!!

No wonder I couldn't spot any Model A's along the route.

I never heard about two type of kerosene, and one being bad for engines.
I think of it as being almost the same as Diesel fuel.

[RB]

The Nebraska sand hills can be an enjoyable experience but as mentioned be aware of the fuel gauge level & the weather report, those one lane sandy cattle trails can leave you easily stuck. My 32 dirt car was originally from the sand hills area as was my son's 32 sedan...the sedan was a body only with the rear fenders & firewall still attached however the doors had been hastily pirated by cutting the hinges. While it had been resting on uneven ground for untold years the sandy soil kept rust confined to the down hill side front section of one rocker panel....

[Cornishman]

Thanks for posting this, it was an interesting read. I still see an old wind driven water pump most days when I'm out for a walk near my home. It needs a bit of TLC as some days it really groans when it's turning.

[Tom Wesenberg]

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I knew I forgot sometime in my road trip report, and that is the road kill count.
2cats
2 raccoons
3 deer
17 skunks
So that goes to show the skunk population must be alive and well.......well, except for 17 of them.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I knew I forgot sometime in my road trip report, and that is the road kill count.
2cats
2 raccoons
3 deer
17 skunks
So that goes to show the skunk population must be alive and well.......well, except for 17 of them.

No squirrels or possums? Nebraska must have very decisive squirrels if they are not on the road kill list and smart too. They must bury their food on their side of the road and not the opposite.

[katy]

No trees = no squirrels.

Tom, what size engine in that Olds?

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by katy

No trees = no squirrels.

Tom, what size engine in that Olds?

Has to be squirrel road kill in Nebraska, it's on the menu:



Road Kill Cafe
Given with compliments of
Rosies Restaurant & Lounge
Hwy 395 * Hermiston * 567-9865
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
======== Welcome . . . to the adventure in dining, ========
======== delights that's as old as America's ========
======== love affair with the automobile!!! ========
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We're pleased you could join us ...
and we're always especially appreciative
of your contributions to our menu, either
on your way here, or on your way home.
===================================
Since there is a limit to how far we can go
to do our...uh "Shopping," you might
consider asking the manager about opening
your own franchise outlet.
===================================

MENU - ROADKILL CAFE (You Kill It ... We Grill It!)
"Featuring Some Of Nebraska's Finest!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
( Eating food is more fun, when you know it was hit on the run. )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
APPETIZERS: ====== $ 2.95 ========

* The Chicken That Didn't Quite Cross the Road ..
( Tastes Twice as Great When
It's Slapped On Your Plate. )
It's Fresh from the Street. )
* Cool Koala Nuggets
( A tasty Treat! )
* Sunny Side Weasels
( An early sneak preview!)
-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!-
ENTREES, A TASTE OF THE WILD SIDE:
(It's Gotta Be Tried While It's Still In It's Hide.)

Center Line Bovine ................ $6.95
"Tastes real good, straight from the hood"
Chunk Of Skunk .................... $3.95
"A real stinker of a meal!"
Road Toad Ala Mode ................ $5.65
"Croaked for the last Time!"
Outta Luck Duck ................... $7.95
"Served with Quackers of course.."
Swirl Of Squirrel ................. $5.55
"Chip n' Dale never looked so good!"
Beep Beep Sheep ................... $7.95
"You'll be Back for seconds!"
Narrow Sparrow .................... $2.55
"A light snack for those on the run!"
Rigor Mortis Tortise .............. $6.75
"Breaking the shell was never so fun!"
Goose Still a bit Loose ........... $4.55
Cow Le Pow ........................ $6.59
"For those who wonder, where's the Beef?"
Pig Fig ........................... $2.75
"Special for Dieters."
Lamb Bam Wham ..................... $4.69
"Hit on the Run."
Coarse Horse ...................... $5.70
"Rough but Ready!"
Crow in a Bowl .................... $3.60
"Tones your Bones!"
Pheasant under Car ................ $4.60
"Oiled to perfection!"
Ram n' Ham ........................ $5.80
"A Merge to Splurge!"
Side Swipe Pork ................... $6.20
"Sides to catter to all appetites!"

-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!-
LATE NIGHT DELIGHTS: Served fresh each night after dark.

Rack Of Racoon .................... $3.95
Smear Of Deer ..................... $4.95
"Served French Fried Right After Dark"
Awesome Possum .................... $1.95
Later Gator ....................... $4.80
"Midnight Snack Attack"
Rhine - o - Wine .................. $9.60
"Bubbly of a different sort."
-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!-
CANINE CUISINE: You'll eat like a hog...when you taste our dog!

Slab Of Lab ....................... $3.95
Poodles 'N Noodles ................ $5.95
Snippet Of Whippet ................ $4.50
German Shepherd Pie ............... $3.95
Round Of Hound .................... $4.25
Bam Bam Pomeranian ................ $4.85
Great Dane on a Lane .............. $6.85
Cuts of Mutts ..................... $5.80
-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!-
DESSERT ENTREE's: These take the cake.

- Chocolate Moose ........................... $ 3.90
"A special Variation of a French Dessert"
- Jello Worm ................................ $ 2.50
"Watch em' Jiggle and Wiggle."
- Bat-A Pastries ............................ $ 3.60
"Winging on a delight."
- Angel Dove Cake ........................... $ 4.60
"Heavenly delight."
- Gopher Puffs .............................. $ 3.80
"FUR-fectly delicious cream puffs."
-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!-
MEET OUR CHEF: "Wheels" Pierre.
Bon Appetit!...
-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!-
Remember our Motto:
"When You Drive With Your Brights...
You'll Dine Better Tonight..."

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by katy

No trees = no squirrels.

Tom, what size engine in that Olds?

3.8, the best motor GM ever made. Guess that's why they don't still make it.

Plenty of power torque, and great fuel economy.

[captndan]

If Steve hadn't rescued all those A's most would have been turned into some kind of hot rod. At least you can still get them a piece at a time in Denver.

[1crosscut]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I knew I forgot sometime in my road trip report, and that is the road kill count.
2cats
2 raccoons
3 deer
17 skunks
So that goes to show the skunk population must be alive and well.......well, except for 17 of them.

Here in Nebraska a high count of dead skunks on the road is not unusual at all in February. It is their mating season and they seem to forget all caution when crossing roadways.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

3.8, the best motor GM ever made. Guess that's why they don't still make it.

Plenty of power torque, and great fuel economy.

My good friend who is a die hard Ford mechanic once told me, that that engine almost broke GM. I said 'you mean it was that bad?' he said 'No, it was such a good engine it never needed any repairs, GM wasn't selling any parts or replacement engines that thing was indestructible.' He also said 'Best motor GM EVER built."

He called it the Series I. THEN GM in their wisdom (and greed) came out with the Series II as a replacement and it was designed to fail. Tim said THAT engine was a pure piece of sh--

[katy]

We had a 3.4 in a 2000 Chev, that was also a real good engine, other than the crappy original intake manifold gaskets.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Monday's are double coupon days at the local gas station, so I filled up yesterday. I keep a log book on all my trips, so I know the exact fuel cost, miles driven, and miles per gallon. I drove just over 1500 miles and spent $101.07 for gas, and averaged exactly 32.997 MPG for the whole trip. I was surprised it did that well with all the miles of Nebraska Sandhills. Now it's time for an oil change, so I should add half the price of that into the trip cost also.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Tom that's still a lot better than flying, with the cost of gasoline now.

I had to make a trip to Louisville, KY. last weekend. Trip was planned two months ago around another's schedule: they had to be back to work first thing Monday A.M. I TRIED to talk them into just driving not that far but they insisted on flying out of Chicago.

Air fare was $295, then they added $77 for tax AND if you had a suitcase it was going to be $50 for each way. I just had a back pack. Carry-ons today mean a U.S. Army size duffle bag with the crap people try to take on a plane and crowd your little stuff out of the overhead. Car rental for two days was around $75 since it was picked up on a Friday which they said is a 'working day' not eligible for the weekend discount. Gas down there is $2.45 it's $2.14 up here, not a big difference. Distance of about 200 miles.

So, at 32 MPG in my new Ford it would have taken about 13 gallons tops. At an average of say $2.30/gallon and 13 gallons, we're talking around 30 bucks vs. $432 with air-fare and car rental.

Besides, the flight down was 'delayed' almost three hours for who knows why they always do that it seems, so I saved a whopping two hours at best by flying and spent over $400 for the 'priveledge'.

godd I hate airplanes and all that nonsense flying today sucks big time

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yep, I don't plan to fly again, unless it was a ride in the Ford Tri Motor.

Airports have been such a PITA since the @%^&*& struck.
Driving lets you see some things, and gives you wheels when you arrive.
And if you get hungry, you can always cook up a little road kill.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

godd I hate airplanes and all that nonsense flying today sucks big time

My last flight was in 2007 and I haven't missed it one bit. I couldn't handle all the hassle today and I'd get kicked off a flight before they even started the engines. Besides all the airport BS, too many idiots and rude arseholes fly today and much of what they do is deliberate, just to see how far they could push someone over the edge. I've one foot already over it.....wouldn't take much.

[RB]

On the original subject regarding the sand hills of Nebraska it was a known fact that trees were few & far between on much of the rolling shifting hills but unlike the western deserts ground water was available thanks to a vast underground aquifer. The early pioneers cut the sod in sections & laid them much like block or brick construction for structures called sod homes as opposed to log cabins. It was said the lady of the home would tell the youngsters to wipe their feet before going out & not to track the dirt outside.

[Tom Wesenberg]

We had our monthly Model A meeting last night, and I still have the Delco in the back seat. I also took a Delco Light Plant ad to the meeting, so I got a couple leads on some Delco Light Plants I can look at near by.

In trying to do research on this light plant I found some interesting information that also ties it to the Model A, as well as many other cars. Charles Kettering is responsible for making the Delco Light Plant, which was produced from 1916 to 1947, the same year Henry Ford died. Charles Kettering invented the high tension spark ignition, as used on our Model A's. He also invented the electric starter for automobiles. He invented a small high torque electric motor for the cash register, and when a friend of his tried to help a lady start her stalled Cadillac, it backfired and left his friend with a broken arm and jaw, which proved fatal. Leland of Cadillac was devastated and ordered a self starter be built. Charles Kettering was the man to solve the problem, so we have him to thank for our electric starters and high tension ignition.

Charles Kettering is second only to Thomas Edison for having the most patents.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Someone asked to see an update on the Delco Light Plant, so here it is. I finally got it out of the back seat the other day, then used diesel fuel and a soft brush to clean it up. I cleaned the grime off my 28 Phaeton firewall the same way. I have some Model A generators to finish up, so this won't be started any time soon, and I'd also like to find the correct coil and mounting bracket for it. You can see the date cast into the flywheel. This one was built on Valentines Day, 2-14-20. One of these or a hit and miss engine would be a nice display in the back of a Model A pickup or AA at car shows. Here's a link to an identical Delco 850 running.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUiLV4EDiwk

[katy]

Looks good. What voltage and wattage is it? I'm suspecting 36V DC?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by katy

Looks good. What voltage and wattage is it? I'm suspecting 36V DC?

32 volt and 850 watts. 32 volts makes it pretty useless these days, but was somewhat common before REA put in power lines.

[Marcus]

Tom - Fascinating thread that you started; will be interesting to see and hear a video of it running. By the way, there are a number of manufacturers of windmills and not all for pumping water: I have a 40 foot windmill on the backside of my ranch which has an air powered compressor connected to a 150' long length of PVC piping. This piping then runs underground to the center of my farm pond and aerates the water - ergo: plenty of oxygen for the fish.