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Weston Electric Photo control Found this rare piece abandoned while enroute to a job. From what I could see it was used back in the 50-60's to control a string of incandescent lights. Very long gone sadly as all was upgraded to mercury back in the 70's and again to sodium about 6 years ago. This was never removed however was still energized and the fuse box next to it was still energized as well. Sadly the box was in horrible condition and would have likely crumbled upon removal so that was left. Luckily with permission I was able to bring this bad boy home. So far this is the only meter style photo control I've seen or heard of on our system. Also unique as this has a mercury switch inside as opposed to the normal open contacts seen in most. Keywords: Gear

Weston Electric Photo control

Found this rare piece abandoned while enroute to a job. From what I could see it was used back in the 50-60's to control a string of incandescent lights. Very long gone sadly as all was upgraded to mercury back in the 70's and again to sodium about 6 years ago. This was never removed however was still energized and the fuse box next to it was still energized as well. Sadly the box was in horrible condition and would have likely crumbled upon removal so that was left. Luckily with permission I was able to bring this bad boy home. So far this is the only meter style photo control I've seen or heard of on our system. Also unique as this has a mercury switch inside as opposed to the normal open contacts seen in most.

0902161803-1.jpg 1115162025-1.jpg 1019162104-1.jpg 0826161755-1.jpg 1115162028-1.jpg
File information
Filename:1019162104-1.jpg
Album name:gmercury2000 / Photo Controls
Keywords:Gear
Company and Date Manufactured:Weston Electric, mid 1950's
Model Number:1089 Type 1
Filesize:702 KiB
Date added:Oct 20, 2016
Dimensions:2244 x 2228 pixels
Displayed:230 times
URL:http://www.galleryoflights.org/mb/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=21126
Favorites:Add to Favorites

Comment 1 to 8 of 8
Page: 1

streetlight98   [Oct 20, 2016 at 02:41 AM]
Nice! And having a mercury switch, the contacts will never wear out. Very Happy
gmercury2000   [Oct 28, 2016 at 12:03 AM]
He, Yeah they will never go bad but unfortunately it doesn't work. Not sure what the issue is but oh well. Odly I found a second one in another area. It doesn't work either. Still cool to look at though. Lol
streetlight98   [Oct 28, 2016 at 02:02 AM]
Aw man that stinks. But totally awesome you could save these. They certainly display well, being clear. It's almost as if they were designed to be displayed decades later, long after their call of duty. Smile Wink
gmercury2000   [Oct 28, 2016 at 02:22 AM]
Shortly after posting, I was able to get one working like a charm. Originally they were painted silver but the paint was totally destroyed so I cleaned it out as there was nothing but flakes left. Does work out as now the insides are visible. Lol
streetlight98   [Oct 28, 2016 at 01:12 PM]
That's what's great about these older PCs. They've got replaceable parts! Ah so it was painted? Did they actually make clear ones? Or were they all painted? BTW, what's that fluffy stuff on the cloth wires inside? Just frayed insulation?
gmercury2000   [Oct 29, 2016 at 07:18 PM]
Luckily nothing had to be replaced, all original. I don't know it they came clear but it was silver. As for the wire, I believe it's just cloth wrapping frayed. Was cloth as it needed to be able to move freely over and over from what I've been told.
joe_347V   [Oct 31, 2016 at 01:41 AM]
Nice save! too bad it dosen't work but it looks like a pretty nice display piece. Not sure but it kinda seems like there's a fuseholder near the two wires but with a missing fuse.
gmercury2000   [Oct 31, 2016 at 10:14 AM]
That is what holds the mercury switch, I guess that's if there were two of them. I'm not sure. The other one I found has the mercury switch in the front holder, opposite of this one.

Comment 1 to 8 of 8
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