Happy Monday all! This is my first post on the forum. I've been involved in the antique work for about 15 years and have never come across one of these. Unfortunately there is virtually no info on the internet. She was born in Chicago sometime before 1906 when Turner moved from the city proper. Being a life long Chicago boy I felt I owed it the chance to be restored. Thankfully no one destroyed it with an electric refit. I'm foggy on how it can be pressurised as it lacks a pump. Let me hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
@Tory Welcome. That’s a pretty, and uncommon lamp, and I’m not familiar with it. There is some information here about Turner lamps, such as this: Turner "Little wonder" I’m sure someone will come through with information on it, or similar lamps. Cheers Tony
Congratulations. As with many Arc lamps of the era, this lamp is quite stunning. I was reading a couple of weeks ago where Turner tested these lamps to 110 PSI. That really did take me aback as I just didn't expect a number like that. I certainly wouldn't recommend a pressure anywhere near that being used. I have found 20PSI can be too much. These overhead generator lamps, that first commenced mid to late 1890's, were a very good design from the get go. Despite rapid technological advancements, as you would expect from a young industry, this design held its own. The design would be used by many manufacturers of later hollow wire lamps, including Coleman. Coleman continued to sell their version of hollow wire lamps of this design into the 20's. This design was very efficient and the lamps produced enormous light. Today, we as collectors struggle to reproduce the true light output that can be attained simply because we lack the ability to find the larger mantles used. Still, even with the smaller mantles readily available, they put out a wonderful light.
Tory, Terry Marsh has one on his site that matches your lamp I’ve included a quick picture of mine for reference also........ It appears we both need a little nickel.
Welcome aboard! The links below show Turner products and information, but the second link is for the library which is only open to subscribers. Turner https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/1936-turner-adverts.1204/
Turner that sold on eBay back in September..... These are apparently neither rare or abundant.....just uncommon ??
I saw this too. Do we have any idea as to what it sold for? I suppose I'm curious about what they are worth. Thanks!
Thanks alot for getting back to me so quickly all! Great info. How do you suppose I can pressurise the lamp? It appears to not have a pump onboard like the Coleman's I've restored in the past. Or maybe I'm missing something. And Matty really love how much you know about this little beauty. 150 psi makes sense only because the Chicago mentality seems to be anything worth building is worth overbuilding! Thanks again!
Hi Tory and welcome from the Scottish Highlands. I know nothing of these charming lamps... looking at the photos it does seem that you’re missing at least the pump knob? The photo that @Konabill put up appears to show a pump knob above the wing nut. I could be totally wrong, I’m sure someone more knowledgeable will make it clear! Good luck with getting it fettled, Stevie
Welcome from Queensland Australia Thank you for sharing, good luck on your fettling this elegant lamp. Cheers Pete
Thanks much for the warm welcome! I think that you are correct about the pump on the wing nut. I suppose I'll need to remove it to know for sure. My girlfriend spotted this lamp and is adamant that it be made to run.
@Tory From what I could see, Turner first produced the lamp in 1900. However, it wasn't until 1901 that they used the brand name Little Wonder Lamp. The air valve does look to be missing from the fuel cap. My suggestion is, take your fuel cap to a bike shop and see if they can fit a Schrader valve to the fuel cap. If they can, problem solved. I think it is always a good idea to fettle lamps before first time use. I think because your lamp is the overhead generator type, it is even more reason to change the packing in the both the pricker wheel and the valve gland nut. I can assure you, you don't want to spring a leak and have raw fuel dropping into the lit burner. The existing packing within the gland nuts will more than likely be asbestos rope. You will need to find a modern equivalent. Perhaps a plumbing shop may have something suitable. Give the fuel cap washer the once over and replace if necessary. It is highly likely that there will be some packing surrounding the pricker rod. This packing, unless previously changed over, will be asbestos too. It will serve you well to remove the pricker from the lamp, and check the condition of both the packing and pricker needle. (I think Americans call the pricker a tip cleaner) While you are at it, you can check to see that the jet (tip) is present and clear of obstructions. One thing that your lamp lacks is a pre-heat cup. The generators used on these lamps are quite large and they take a really good pre-heat. You will need to find a suitable pre-heat cup that can clip to the generator so you can add methylated spirits which acts as the fuel source to pre-heat the generator. You may be able to buy a suitable torch or even make one yourself, that can be soaked in methylated spirits, then clipped onto the generator. I would give the tank a pressure test too before relying on it to be sound. It will be best to check that insects like spiders or wasps haven't made their home inside the tube that transports the gas from the generator to the burner.
@Tory I've had a look at a few of my air valves of similar design. I do think there is a bleed nut missing from your valve. However, you should be able to use the valve as is to pressure test. I am now thinking, the missing bleed valve is to safeguard against check valve failure. So, it isn't the best idea to use the lamp without adding a bleeder/Schrader valve but it is perfectly fine to pressurise the fount and dunk it in water to check for leaks. If you have a compressor you can set the compressor at say 20 PSI and pressurise the fount using a suitable nozzle. Personally, I wouldn't go past 40 PSI if I was you even though Turner say they test the founts to 110 PSI. In fact, I wouldn't go past 30 PSI because there is no way you need that sort of pressure and if the tank doesn't fail at 30PSI it won't fail at 15 PSI to 20 PSI which is likely to be your best working pressure. You may find even 10 to 15 PSI is enough. Sorry if you find me babbling.
If not available at your plumbers merchant, search the internet for "graphite string", different thicknesses are available, here is one example: 1/16" x 3 foot Graphite Packing - 'Graphite String' for steam glands Henry.
@Henry Plews Yes, that is a good product. I use essentially the same thing. I bought a thick length of the rope. Because the rope is made up of three strands and wound together, I unwind the rope and use one strand. The single strand is generally a prefect that fits nearly all gland nuts. I bought 2 metres that in essence results in 6 metres of rope and that ends up being a lifetime supply for an old geezer like me. I think it was a post by yourself Henry, that made me aware of the product. I decided to try it after seeing your post and the rope is one of the best buys I have ever made. So thanks!
So what type of a mantle could you buy for it today? I know at least 5 of these are in existence still. So curious how you would run it.
This is not a Little Wonder. It is Model 10. Out of curiosity what chimney do you have is there a brand on it? Also do you have the dimensions for it?
Yes Turner Model 10 which for some reason I don't seem to have listed. Likely old age strikes again because I have had the info for over 15 years so yet another one to add to the PLC. The Little Wonder has the under generator typical on old arc type lamps and this model 10 is an over generator. This ad states tested to 350psi which does seem maybe a tad high when standard engineering practice would suggest twice operating pressure for consumer test and twice that for the works test so 60psi would be more likely. Sounds to me they might have destroyed one or tried and bottled out before it went bang. ::Neil::
Hi Neil! I still need to get me a bicycle pump and some sort of hose with fitting on end so I can pump mine up and pressure test it. Out of curiosity do you have any information on what the actual original length of the mantles were? I know people are using old stock 3" or 3 1/2" ones. I am thinking they may have had 4" or 4 1/2" originally like some of the Gravity lamps.
I have no idea but Tory will because his lamp still has the mantle hanger frame which should give an approximate size. Pretty big I would think to manage 800cp. Mind you this is a time before you had to tell the truth in adverts and the average punter would have no idea what 500 or 800 cp actually looked like. ::Neil::
Mine had the hanger, but it was bent out of wack and didn't sit right so I had to try and bend it to accomodate the 3 1/2" ones...lol. I actually need a good pic of what the original bends looked like. To see if I can reproduce it. I have mine cleaned, but still need to pressure test, get chimney, and shade, but in packing for the generator. I made a spring to go inside packing to help with the vaporization. I see they sold a Spring extension and I am not sure what that is and if it has to do with the generator and what exactly does. Would love to see that somewhere...lol! I also need to find someone who can straighten my base, it will need to come off the fount to do it. It got smashed in during shipping I think.
