Part 1 of 2 My interest in the products of AC Wells was sparked by Matt's (Matthew92) recent post of his Wells No 14. Searching the internet, I couldn't find a definitive description of their lamp products; lots of snippets spread around, but nothing consolidated. If it does exist, it escaped me. So below is my attempt to produce such a list. I have included all their lamp products, but only the 'Wells Lights', 'Gas Generating Lamps' and 'Standard Oil Gas Lamps' are pressurised. Any additions or amendments/corrections are most welcome. Notes - 1. Pints and gallons are UK Imperial not US gallons. 2. The list is numerical by lamp number. 3. I have not included acetylene and 'Industrial' oil lamps. Details of these can be found in the 1915 AC Wells catalogue in the Reference Library if required. WELLS LIGHT: No 0 'Child' 500cp 30lbs ½ gallon No1 burner, gasoline only. No 1 'Hand' 500cp with No1 gasoline burner 1500cp with No2 oil burner 40lbs empty, 70lbs full 18" flame 4 hour burn ¾ gallon oil per hour. No 2 'Portable' 1500cp with No2 burner 2500cp with No3 burner 120lbs empty, 220lbs full 18" flame ¾ gallon oil per hour. No 3 'Manchester Ship Canal' 2500cp with No3 burner 3500cp with No4 burner 150lb empty, 280lbs full 24"flame 1¼ gallon oil per hour No 4 3500cp No4 burner 200lb empty, 350lb full 36" flame 2 gallon oil per hour * Burners can be used one size up to extend burn time. For example, a No3 burner can be used on a No4 light. ENGINEER'S HAND LAMP: No 4 - ½ pint ⅜" wick No 4a - ¾ pint ⅝" wick SINGLE TORCH LAMPS: No 5 - ½ pint ⅝" wick No 5a - ¾ pint ⅝" wick No 5b - 1 pint 1¼" wick DOUBLE TORCH LAMP: No 6 MARINE BOILER WATER SPACE LAMP: No 7 - lamp is ¾" wide SOUTH AMERICAN SILVER MINING LAMP: No 10 - for use on shoulder using 3ft ash pole. GAS GENERATING LAMP: No 12 - 3 hour burn No 12a - with tripod No 13 - 5 hour burn No 13a - with tripod No 14 - 7 hour burn time No 14a - with tripod SINGLE TORCH LAMP (as 5 & 5a but with handle and hook at rear): No 15 - ½ pint No 15a - ¾ pint HANGING OR CARRYING LAMP: No 16 KETTLE TORCH LAMP: No 18 - 3 pint 1¼" wick 8 hours No 18a 'Trench Lamp' - 5 pint 2" wick 8 hours Part 2 of 2 follows.
Part 2 of 2 MOULDERS LAMP: No 20 - ½ pint ⅜" wick UNBREAKABLE OIL BOTTLE: No 25 - 2 pints No 25a - 4 pints KETTLE LAMP: No 28 - 6 pints 2 x 1¼" wicks No 28a - 6 pints 1¼" wick MINER'S LAMP: No 29 - ½ pint 12 hours No 32 - ½ pint 20 hours GAS GENERATING LAMP: No 40 - 10 lbs 7 pints 7 hours Single or double burner STANDARD OIL GAS LAMP: No 50 - 200cp 1½ gallons 6 hours SAFETY LAMP: No number.
A new subscriber in Australia I have been gifted a 24"(?) AC Wells Paraffin Gas Lamp No12, Safety from Explosion". Trojandog's post 2016 most helpful to begin to learn of this firm. He mentions a 1915 catalogue and inquire if its possible to obtain this in digitised format? This particular lamp was handed down from a family whose men over 2 generations beginning in Otago followed gold dredging successfully pioneered in NZ to its introduction into Australia, to California, Colorado, Oregon, Mexico and deeper into South America then to Luzon (PI) and other alluvial tin fields in Siam (Thailand) and the Malay States as then known. This lamp was used on bucket dredges here in the Ovens Valley, NE Victoria. I have not posted photographs as I doubt they are so rare and I readily found a foto online. While bucket dredging for gold commenced in Australia 1899 I imagine this style of lamp was probably in production earlier. The dredges worked 24 hour 6 days a week and were lamp lit. djjh
Hi Can anyone provide info on what is missing from this No. 17 Lamp. There appears to be a slide in device that may have held the chimney at the top. Also any ideas on the how it operated as flue gasses seem to be caught over head and directed down each arm on side to the tank.
