These guy's only need #8 wire for their 48" lifter, and #6 wire for up to their 57" model.  They use 230VDC for the supply.

Those wire sizes seem consistent with those in that 1914 photo.

http://www.walkermagnet.com/scrap-magnets-scrapmaster.htm

PW

That was called the "Westinghouse Magnet". The only thing those wires did was charge the 6 volt battery. A very thick wire bifilar pancake "Impulse charging Coil" lay flat up against the iron ferrite magnet disk. A large thermos size capacitor supplied the pulse.

Quote from: synchro1 on May 26, 2013, 08:31:03 PM
That was called the "Westinghouse Magnet". The only thing those wires did was charge the 6 volt battery. A very thick wire bifilar pancake "Impulse charging Coil" lay flat up against the iron ferrite magnet disk. A large thermos size capacitor supplied the pulse.

Synchro1,

Do you have any evidence or references that verify that?

The 1914 image looks consistent with every other DC lifter.  A DC lifter of that era would likely use a cap to suppress arcing across the power on/off switch.  If rectified AC was used, it was likely smoothed with a cap to reduce eddie current heating.  More likely a DC gen was used, as rectifying AC back then, at that level, usually meant using mercury arc rectifiers.  Even a commutated DC gen output would benefit from some smoothing using a cap, again to reduce eddie current heating.

Just curious as to whether you have supporting material for your claim or if this is just speculation on your part.

PW

Here is a cutaway view of the old scrap magnet below. And the page link here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lifting_electromagnet_cross_section.png

It says flat conductors and it looks like 4 pancakes together?

Then there is this from a link you guys provided. Its the repair page with some pics that show flat conductors.   
http://www.walkermagnet.com/service-repair-scrap-magnet-repair.htm

Mags

Quote from: Magluvin on May 26, 2013, 09:35:34 PM
Here is a cutaway view of the old scrap magnet below. And the page link here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lifting_electromagnet_cross_section.png

It says flat conductors and it looks like 4 pancakes together?

Then there is this from a link you guys provided. Its the repair page with some pics that show flat conductors.   
http://www.walkermagnet.com/service-repair-scrap-magnet-repair.htm

Mags

Hey Mags,

Is it not logical to expect that some lifter designs may use multiple coils as a way to increase ampere turns for more lifting power or to allow for a more physically compact unit?  Any increase in DC resistance can be compensated for via application of a higher DC voltage to maintain a given DC current.

Heating of the windings is usually a limiting factor with these lifters, and you will note that the mfg page cited specifies a 75% or so duty cycle for most of their lifters.

I just don't see anything in that 1914 image that is not consistent with a standard DC lifter. 

PW