Cooking hotdogs with 120v

Back in high school, we lit up a pickle and some nails attached to the end of a cord.

Jason_WI wrote:Is the power live on that thing when the lid is open or is there a safety interlock switch buried somewhere?

Yes it has a form of safety interlock. When the cover is opened, the electrode spike rails disconnect similar to how the cord disconnects when the back is pulled off a 1960s tube radio or how the appliance cord is pulled off a waffle iron or electric frying pan. While I would always unplug it before opening it, I think getting a shock from it just by using it normally would be slim. There is no "switch" on it, as long as the cover is closed, it turns on instantly once you plug it in. The last time I had a watt meter on it, I think it peaked at about 180watts with 1 hotdog. I'll need to do more tests with it someday.

dckrsn wrote:

RknRusty wrote:Anybody notice that antique extension cord next to the cooker? The old cloth insulation and bakelite head.

My eyes went right to it.
Love that stuff. Probably Eagle Mfg.
Also the cooker model-HOTD  
Bob

You're good!



Its actually a homemade extension cord I made about 10 years ago. The cord is #18 zip-cord covered with a nylon braid from unstuffed 550 cord (paracord).





Now this is a real antique extension cord! It is not asbestos cord like found on irons and other heat appliances, it has rubber insulation under the cotton braid. I date it to be around the mid 30s to mid 40s. I have a feeling it too is a homemade cord however it was likely built long ago.



I too love this old electrical stuff, I have boxes of it. Here's some more old electrical crap.

Here's a early 1900s (1903 to about 1906) double loop carbon filament bulb lit up at 60v.




Here's a reproduction (made about 8 years ago or so) 40w double loop carbon filament bulb lit up at 60v. The "fixture" its in is an original (1905 up to about 1920) drop cord using brewery cord (twisted asphalt impregnated cotton braided cord used in damp locations). http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/categories/lighting/bulbs (you'll want one with a carbon filament).



This is what I bought last weekend at the flea market. This is what they used before the blade type plugs we have today.





I could go on forever, perhaps in another thread.

Every year I hang up an old set of old Christmas lights on the fireplace mantel. They were my great-grandma's and then given to my grandparents when they got married. Made by Paramount. 8 15v "C6" bulbs in a series. To extend their life and run them cooler, I have them hooked up on a 2:1 transformer so they are operating at about 62v. The transformer is plugged into a split receptacle controlled by a wall switch so they can be turned on and off along with the table lamp. They don't make the bulbs anymore so you have to find old ones as replacements. I got lucky last summer and found two bags of these old bulbs (about 50 total) for just $5, all work. I have a few other sets, one is a mid 30s set with cloth wire.

fdew wrote:Please Go on and on.  If you don't feel this is the right forum for electrical stuff then I invite you to  SmokStak   Vintage Electrical Equipment  Lighting Fixtures, Switch Panels and Meters   I will post a link in a week

Frank

Hello Frank,
Thanks, I'll have to check that out. I can post some more good old electrical stuff. Need to dug up some pictures or just retake them.