Hokey set-up, but I'll be danged - it works!

[crevicetool]

I bought this Universal range several months ago now, and after a particularly crummy week - I decided I needed some "play" time. The range is in no way capable of being plugged in unless I want to see a fireworks display in my garage so I just decided to energize what is supposed to be a "Range Indicator" system of lights to show how "hot" a burner is.

Here's the patent for it:

 

[crevicetool]

And, here it is in operation...

Full on.

 

[crevicetool]

High intermediate

 

[crevicetool]

Sorta medium

 

[crevicetool]

Low

 

[crevicetool]

And barely distiguishable from low.....very low. (it's easier to tell apart for real)

 

[crevicetool]

The jewels are lit by lights behind these brass "doors&#

One for each switch, this one in off position.

 

[crevicetool]

They are cam shaped and when first turned to "on" it uncovers a rectangular hole behind which is positioned a clear "C-7" like light bulb. The switch also turns the light on. (There are four of them)

 

[tomturbomatic]

Neat find! I hope you get it restored.

Their Medium is closer to Medium High which is why they have to have Very Low instead of Low. These are infinite heat switches? What do the surface units look like?

 

[crevicetool]

As you lower the temperature, the more the light is blocked to the jewel.

 

[norgeway]

Every company!

Had some neat method of showing different heats....GE and Hotpoint had lighted pushbuttons, Norge had 2 different systems, first they had big round indicators that lit up to show which coils were at what heat, then the later ones had clear indicators in the center of the knobs that glowed different colors, Westinghouse had a similar system and later had arc shaped windows that glowed different colors,the early 50s Crosleys also had a small window, or lens that glowed different colors, were the old products not wonderful!

 

[crevicetool]

Yes they ARE infinite switches...

This is the switch block. The four switches are not independently servicable. Unfortunate, but understandable considering the switches are "accuated" by an electric motor as described in the thread below.

Hokey set-up, but I'll be danged - it works!

I bought this Universal range several months ago now, and after a particularly crummy week - I decided I needed some "play" time. The range is in no way capable of being plugged in unless I want to see a fireworks display in my garage so I just decided to energize what is supposed to be a "Range...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[crevicetool]

Tuttle & Kift

This is a Tuttle and Kift switch assembly. Very rugged, and as far as I can tell, all four switches still operate. I may investigate it further, but will probably NOT use this set-up at restoration. Likely, I will be using Robertshaw infinite switches that have the bi-metal thermo-type control. I think it will be more reliable.

 

[crevicetool]

However, the switch was built in January of 1946 as can be seen stamped on it - so who's to say what's reliable?

But I do not know what this little box is on the side of the switch. I'm guessin' it's a step-down transformer for the lights and the "clock" motor which operate on 110 volts. But, I know that 110 volts is available elsewhere in the range for the oven light, and the extra outlet - so, ???

Anyway, the lights and the motor were hooked up to it, but there is black(ish) soot next to the box and the bottom terminal is melted. Anyone know the function of this little box?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thermador also used a motor-driven clockwork mechanism for their early infinite heat controls that is why the four controls were clustered in a square. Six unit cooktops has the other two controls in a separate bank.

 

[crevicetool]

BTW...

There are only two original burners (eyes) on this range, the right rear, that can be seen in the picture above, and the open-coil type that is in the deep-well cooker. The remaining monotube is a Universal SuperHeat single element. The two burners in front were replaced with two-element chromalox(s). When I disassembled the range top to get to the switches, I noticed that someone had placed jumper wires between the terminals to energize both coils as the switches only have two (not four) terminals.

Here's a better view of the motor...

 

[crevicetool]

The switch "bank" has to do several functions. Each heat switch has to turn it's corresponding light on indepentent of the other three, and at the same time energize the "timer" motor. I have looked up both patents stamped on the body (interesting - they are in sequence #2194586, and 2194587)and will be investigating them further. If it turns out that the switch block (bank - I like that term better - thanks) is safe and functional, I may use it - but, I need to figure out what that box used to do or simply supply a seperate 110 volt system for the lights and motor. I will be having to supply the lights no matter what I do as far as burner control....

BTW, one terminal of each light bulb was connected to the same terminal that led to the burner which gets 220 volts.

Hope this wasn't TOO boring for y'all

Rick

 

[crevicetool]

The switch "bank" has to do several functions. Each heat switch has to turn it's corresponding light on indepentent of the other three, and at the same time energize the "timer" motor. I have looked up both patents stamped on the body (interesting - they are in sequence #2194586, and 2194587)and will be investigating them further. If it turns out that the switch block (bank - I like that term better - thanks) is safe and functional, I may use it - but, I need to figure out what that box used to do or simply supply a seperate 110 volt system for the lights and motor. I will be having to supply the lights no matter what I do as far as burner control....

BTW, one terminal of each light bulb was connected to the same terminal that led to the burner which gets 220 volts.

Hope this wasn't TOO boring for y'all

Rick

 

[crevicetool]

Well, that double post is a first for me in eight years of this site and on Vacuumland!

I could never understand how folks did it!