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11-15-2007, 09:03 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Renton, WA
Posts: 3
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What are these??
Hello All,
This is my first post on this board. I have been reading and learning from all of your posts and appreciate the sharing of information and experiences.
I have been running my own company for about a year and a half, doing a good business, paying the bills, etc.
I have a question about some devices recently found in a 1910 home. These ceiling mounted devices were all over the house (in both finished and unfinished spaces). They have twisted wires running to them. Are these older/different smoke detection devices?
Anybody seen these before?
Thanks.
Robert
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11-15-2007, 09:44 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Memphis TN.
Posts: 1,603
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Re: What are these??
Originally Posted by Robert Wittenberg
I have a question about some devices recently found in a 1910 home.
Are these older/different smoke detection devices?
Anybody seen these before?
Robert
Robert,
I have not seen these but that time frame would suggest a servants bell or bells to alert
the house hold of an in coming phone call.
House hold smoke detectors uses radioactive material and entered the market in 1969.
__________________
It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.
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11-15-2007, 12:12 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbus GA
Posts: 382
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Re: What are these??
I may be able to help, but the pitcure does not have enough detail for me.
Do you have any other pictures?
Does it have 1 or 2 pair of wires?
Do you know where the wires went to?
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Rick Cantrell
Columbus GA
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11-15-2007, 05:07 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ormond Beach, Florida
Posts: 7,648
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Re: What are these??
Billy could be right. That is a good shape to have a clapper in there which moves back and forth to ring the bell (the brass outside part) - see that other set of wires running down that stud? For the push button which operates them?
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11-15-2007, 05:19 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbus GA
Posts: 382
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Re: What are these??
I enlarged the photo as much as I could. The dome looks to me to be translucent with an open slit down the side. With the enlargement it (the thing running down the stud) does not look like a wire.
My guess, at this time is some form of motion detector, but that is only a guess, I need better photos.
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Rick Cantrell
Columbus GA
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11-15-2007, 05:45 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ormond Beach, Florida
Posts: 7,648
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Re: What are these??
Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell
I need better photos.
Agreed. That would help.
I enlarged them too and still think its brass in two halves and that is a wire going down the stud. (That's my story and I'm a stickin' to it.) |
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11-15-2007, 06:42 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Memphis TN.
Posts: 1,603
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Re: What are these??
Robert,
If you would complete you User CP we would know what part of the country you are in.
Edwin Holmes installed the first electric burglar alarm in Boston 1858.
__________________
It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.
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11-15-2007, 07:58 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbus GA
Posts: 382
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Re: What are these??
Sorry Jerry
I might regret this (disagreeing with you), but that is not a wire it's a cobweb, and I can see through the dome, to what's inside.
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Rick Cantrell
Columbus GA
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11-15-2007, 08:08 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Memphis TN.
Posts: 1,603
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Re: What are these??
Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell
Sorry Jerry
I might regret this (disagreeing with you), but that is not a wire it's a cobweb, and I can see through the dome, to what's inside.
Rick,
Cobwebs Yes they are. See thru NO Way! Look at the indent in the middle strip that holds
the two pieces together.
__________________
It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.
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11-15-2007, 08:08 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Camp Verde, Arizona
Posts: 458
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Re: What are these??
It is a fire detector (heat activated) made by Kidde company. Not sure when.
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11-15-2007, 08:33 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Camp Verde, Arizona
Posts: 458
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Re: What are these??
Here is a little more info:
(i) ‘Fyrindex’ automatic heat detector
When there is a rapid rise in temperature the air in the chamber
expands much more rapidly than the compensating vent can
release it and as much as a result the expanding air pushes the
diaphragm against the electrical contact on the base of the
‘rate-of-rise’ adjustment screw. This completes the circuit and
raises the alarm.
If a fire develops too slowly for the ‘rate-of-rise’ element to
detect it the ‘fixed temperature’ element will operate at a
predetermined temperature of either 57 or 82 degree Celsius.
This is operated simply by expansion of the contact spring
support, which absorbs heat from the domed cover. The
expanding support pushes the contact spring against the contact
on the base of the fixed temperature adjustment screw thus
raising the alarm. The detector resets itself after the alarm has
been raised and the fire situation dealt with. The area protected by head is 50 square metres.
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11-15-2007, 10:22 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Renton, WA
Posts: 3
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Re: What are these??
Thanks for all the responses. I updated my profile to indicate I work in the Seattle Area.
I did not want to upload a large file image, but it is a cob web to the lower right of the unit. It is closed together with no visible open space between the two pieces.
The units do not appear to be original to the house and they are located throughout the home, even in the unconditioned crawl space/basement. I could not track the two sets of wires through the walls. I think motion detectors or servant bells are unlikely. The heat detector concept looks to be really likely.
Thanks for all your help.
Robert
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11-16-2007, 07:17 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Camp Verde, Arizona
Posts: 458
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Re: What are these??
Robert, if you are interested, here is a link to the patent
United States Patent: 2428838
Click on the 'images' button |
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11-16-2007, 10:28 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbus GA
Posts: 382
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Re: What are these??
Fritz
Good job finding that information.
What are you, some sort of Internet sleuth? 
What I thought I could see through a translucent dome was more likely a reflection off of the brass dome.
__________________
Rick Cantrell
Columbus GA
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11-16-2007, 01:14 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Camp Verde, Arizona
Posts: 458
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Re: What are these??
Rick, I have too much free time on my hands these days. I enjoy looking through the patents though. I figure it's more educational than browsing through youtube.
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11-16-2007, 01:51 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,155
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Re: What are these??
OK. Now that we've got that nailed, what's this? From today's 1950s ranch, above the kitchen counter, about 12"Wx10"H, appears to be a solid sheet-steel stamping - I though that might be a door in in center, but if so it's tightly painted shut.
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11-16-2007, 02:26 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Camp Verde, Arizona
Posts: 458
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Re: What are these??
Its a letter slot for junk mail.
Maybe a trash or garbage receptacle? Anything below the counter?
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11-16-2007, 03:47 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Memphis TN.
Posts: 1,603
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Re: What are these??
Originally Posted by Fritz Kelly
Its a letter slot for junk mail.
Fritz,
It's a Custom Back Splash made from a 1952 access door from a Frigidaire 14 cubic ft. refrigerator. 
I opened the patent link and got the side bar but no pictures. 
__________________
It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.
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11-16-2007, 04:02 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Camp Verde, Arizona
Posts: 458
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Re: What are these??
Billy, I wonder if you don't have 'active X' installed (whatever the hell that is).
firealarm.jpg
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11-16-2007, 04:45 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Land of Gar, TX
Posts: 393
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Re: What are these??
Originally Posted by Fritz Kelly
Billy, I wonder if you don't have 'active X' installed (whatever the hell that is).
Attachment 3666
You inspired me to search. 
ActiveX - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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badair http://www.adairinspection.com Garland, TX 75042
Residential-Commercial-Construction-EIFS-Infrared Thermography
life is the random lottery of events followed by numerous narrow escapes
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11-16-2007, 06:17 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ormond Beach, Florida
Posts: 7,648
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Re: What are these??
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