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Tower cap id
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:46 am
by Wind Charger Mike
This cap was used by a wind electric company called Aerodyne. It was fairly common for the wind gen companies to use windmill towers. Thought it might be Dempster but not certain
Thanks
8664BBD8-6605-43F9-AEA6-8AFFC5660C03.jpeg
Re: Tower cap id
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 12:49 pm
by windybob
Pretty sure it's not a modern Dempster,. or not like one I have ever seen. Unless it's VERY early. Have any pictures of the tower?
Re: Tower cap id
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 12:57 pm
by Wind Charger Mike
F57118A6-85B6-4175-BB9B-19B57C26B3DA.jpeg
Only an advertising illustration. Dates to around 1927.
Thanks
Re: Tower cap id
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 1:01 pm
by windybob
Hmmm. Let me look on the shelf. Seems I've seen that kind before.
Re: Tower cap id
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 6:12 pm
by pcowley (RIP)
Looking at the picture I see straight sides like the tower legs did not attach at a angle. So. I am surmising that it not go on a wind mill tower. Don't ask me witch one, but I remember a wind mill that had about a three foot stub that was square. I am getting old so the recollection is not good.Wendybob won't know, but I think it was a wood blade mill. AND I am to lazy to try to look it up. It does look like it had a bearing it the top. Challenge had a bearing like that and I think there was a very,very,very early Challenge that had a short straight stub.
Re: Tower cap id
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 7:03 pm
by Wind Charger Mike
The pic is misleading, it does have an angle as can be seen from illustration. I attached a couple pics of another identical cap. Both have casting number of 3366. I got this one from Chuck Rickgauer a few years back. At the time he thought it was Dempster but not certain.
8E348716-A949-4F7F-8EC8-07660B14C499.jpeg
64B2F3E0-BA7B-4877-921A-931161A7FABD.jpeg
Re: Tower cap id
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 7:59 pm
by pcowley (RIP)
Dempster and Challenge are very similar,but will not interchange. One has a lock ring that holds it together( Dempster????)the other has nothing to hold the two halves together. I don't remember what the bolt hole pattern is on either one. I remember having to wire the bearing to the top of the mast pipe when I stabbed one them on the tower.
I think what I said about a straight sided tower cap is true.My apologies,but it sure looked like the sides were straight.
Re: Tower cap id
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 8:14 am
by windybob
I have yet to get back to the shop and look on the shelf. I think today I can.
Re: Tower cap id
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 8:22 am
by Wayne
Dempster did use 4 digit part nums on there top castings. I bet the parts lady at Dempster could have told you if it is Dempster. She was good.
Re: Tower cap id
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 10:12 am
by windybob
Dempster tower caps are 1257. And I'm not a lady. lol