MTFCA Forum

I recently came across these remnants of a carbide generator.
It is a side mount type of generator. Holy cow, what happened to it?
Is it just showing the effects of age and brass cracking from the spinning process? I have seen other pieces of brass get this way, but not to the extent this one has suffered. It looks shredded.

Herb-
I believe that is the effect of 100+ year old spun brass that has been exposed to the elements.
The upper chamber is the water reservoir. The lower chamber would have had the acetylene gas.

: ^ )

Keith

Notice the presence of a valve where the hose would connect to the generator. I suspect that the generator was "shut off" by stopping the water drip and immediately closing the valve, which would bottle-up the gas still being generated by the still-wet carbide. The generator probably burst, not exploded.

Doesn't explain burst top tank, though.

Greg Griffin wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 20, 2025 2:53 pm

Notice the presence of a valve where the hose would connect to the generator. I suspect that the generator was "shut off" by stopping the water drip and immediately closing the valve, which would bottle-up the gas still being generated by the still-wet carbide. The generator probably burst, not exploded.

Doesn't explain burst top tank, though.

It's all due to stress corrosion cracking in cold worked brass.

I don't know what brand of acetylene generator is pictured, but on the E&J generator for my 1911, when the water valve is turned to the "off" position, it opens a port to vent the acetylene in the bottom of the tank to the outside.

Herb I think you have what is left of an early Jno Brown generator judging by the wing nut locks.

KWTownsend wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 20, 2025 10:11 am

Herb-
I believe that is the effect of 100+ year old spun brass that has been exposed to the elements.
The upper chamber is the water reservoir. The lower chamber would have had the acetylene gas.

: ^ )

Keith

I would go with Keith's response. Too little cold working in spun brass dents easily. Too much cold working in spun brass invites significant cracking with time. For my 2 cylinder Buick I managed to buy new spinnings a number of years ago but needed the hardware (They are Gray and Davis bullet lights). I purchased a set of lights properly represented as only good for hardware. When I opened the shipped lights in a box I just laughed and exclaimed that they looked like cherry bombs had been set off inside each light looking much like the pictured generator.