Save a piece of electrical history! Mercury arc rectifiers under threat

[Lucien Nunes]

The Laxey substation of the Manx Electric Railway is one of the last mercury arc rectifier installations in the UK to have been doing its original job on its original site. There are very few left at all, let alone a complete working station. Now decommissioned, its survival is in the balance and we need support for this great old piece of British engineering before the powers that be decide to scrap it, as has been threatened. Engineers and non-technical people alike have been fascinated by the mercury arc for nearly a century - please sign the petition before next week's meeting to help ensure that such a great example is saved for future generations to learn from and admire:

Save the Laxey Manx Electric Railway Mercury Arc Rectifier Sub Station Petition

If you're interested in the technicalities of mercury arcs, there's a page about one of mine here:

Electrokinetica - Mercury arcs: Nevelin

Cheers
Lucien

 

[Paultrim123321]

I can tell you were the 2nd only still functional mercury arc rectifier is and its still going strong today. Fantastic piece of art, I love showing it to newbies.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Excellent - keep it going while you can! Alas none of the recs under my wing are original installs, they are ones I've pulled out and saved, I would love to look after one still doing real work.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

nice one lucien

 

[Silly Sausage]

Signed.
A long shot, but would it be possible to buy the thing if it's just going to get scrapped?

You and Tony could maybe fire it up, I'd love to see one working!

 

[benji]

there used to be quite a few at british steel river don works in 1960s when i was an apprentice used to scare the crap out of me at night

 

[Paultrim123321]

It's owned and operated by one of our clients, I will be there in September and can get you a couple of photos if you like. There's a possibility unfortunately that it maybe nearing the end of its working life, as next year there is talk of an upgrade of the DC power system of the particular installation but I will keep in touch and let you know.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

You and Tony could maybe fire it up, I'd love to see one working!

Every day is a mercury arc day here! I have one rigged up most of the time, not always the same one. When we get the museum going we will have half a dozen - the biggest is 1400A output at 250V DC. We won't be running that at full power while I'm paying the bills though. There's a few places you can see them working, e.g. Internal Fire Museum and Laxey... Oh cr*p, you can't see one working there any more.
Get signing...

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Rihanna - Diamonds - YouTube

 

[Paultrim123321]

Would you like me to ask our client what their plans are with the unit if its decommissioned? Would you be interested in it at your museum? I can't quite remember what output it was but I'm pretty sure its a couple of hundred amps.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

A few pics - that would be me with the ECC. Used to power a 30t gantry crane amongst other things. The little Nevelin is part of a fully regulated battery charger for a 240V lead-acid secondary lighting battery that was in a large London building. I've had this one powering all sorts of things!

 

[Silly Sausage]

Lucien, how's your museum project getting on?

 

[Paultrim123321]

The one I inspect powers the worlds oldest amusement ride! You don't see that every day

 

[Lucien Nunes]

A perfect marriage - mercury arc and fairground ride.The bulb could be displayed in the ride centre so the riders can see it light up as the ride pulls away. Actually, don't give me ideas, I've enough to do as it is.

Archy it is getting on slowly, there's a balance to strike between working to raise funds and sorting all the stuff out and shunting it into place. Had hoped to hold our first open day this year but time is slipping and I have too much work on. Had some fantastic donations recently and it's been as much as we can do to pick them up and put them in the stores ready. Next year, for certain, and rest assured there will be mercury arcs ablaze when we open.

 

[Carlosfandango]

This may be a bit naive, but what is it?