Also, I've read many posts and I've not read too many theories on what the thing bolted on the upright axle is. Any ideas?

QuoteI'm no electrician, but by "trafo" do you mean a transformer?

Yes. That is the core he is referring too that sits on top of the wood whether connected or not. This "core" sits on top of the block to bring it up to the center of the wheel.
Viewing your negative photo I searched for the original photo. It was the discoloration that caught my eye. Polarization. The bar is more than likely soft iron.
http://2012forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=18658

Quotebut that seems an awfully dangerous place to be if all that chain is charged up

This is a different type of charge. The Pmh with the keeper is a a key to understanding this. If you build one with 2 coils as I mentioned before you will see the Ac nature in it. Sort of like taking a pipe with a cap on it then putting a garden hose in it. You have 2 directions of flow.

QuoteIt was the discoloration that caught my eye. Polarization. The bar is more than likely soft iron.

Thanks IotaYota. Ok, so if that bar can swing, and in the original photo it doesn't seem to have the angle to touch the 'transformer' but instead looks like it might swing back over the wheel to either capture or deflect the magnetic field... but to what? On my model, so far I've had no results with chains at the front of the machine(although I'd not thought about it being a transformer, I admit). Not as a magnetization station, nor a pmh station.

I admit I'm not sure I'm making a chain into a proper pmh, but my simple method was to loop the chain, connecting both ends to a tiny bar that went through holes in a small metal strips attached to the sides of an alligator clip. One end of the chain was a wire loop made with some soft magnetic wire I had lying around the shop. This had wraps on either side of the chain of very small gauge copper wire wound and attached 'like' the pmh to a small micro-amp bulb from a cd player. My understanding is that I can release the energy by cutting the last wire link?

I am also aware that my little machine and chain may not produce enough charge to light the bulb, but I lack electrical measuring tools. Hoping to borrow my nephew's during summer break if I've got it built again by then.

One thing concerns me about the transformer idea, however. There are transformers all over Ed's wall. None seem to have the optical characteristics of the object on the wood.

If we assume everything Ed used, aside from what he made for himself, came from a Model T Ford of some year, can't anyone who's rebuilt one identify that part?

I'm wondering if anyone has attempted to make a schematic of the entire room?  In the picture I have of the gear reduction device, it seems to be set into a carved out notch(?) in the limestone, but I've no idea where it is in relation to the wheel or other devices in his shop. Can anyone supply or point me to some drawing of the place? 

i was wondering how close the pipe is to the rotor? and how far in the ground does it go?