General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

4

Total Parts

6

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Lamp has black moulded synthetic casing; red synthetic rim around lamp face; clear glass [?] lamp window; glass & silver metal lamp bulb; silver metal clip; black synthetic covering on cord; silver metal cover on red synthetic battery casing; casing fitted with clear synthetic windows.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

20.0 cm

Width

5.5 cm

Height

19.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Energy-electric

Category

Generation

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Koehler

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Pennsylvania

City

Wilkes-Barre

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Quebec

Period

Used c. 2005 until early 2010.

Canada

The equipment offered to the Museum comes from an experimental mine, establish by NRCan-CANMET to conduct testing and design improvements to mining equipment on the federal level. The CANMET-MMSL EXPERIMENTAL MINE in Val-d'Or, Quebec, was established in 1991 in response to Canadian and local mining industry needs for an increased emphasis on applied research. The former Beacon Gold Mine is an underground facility for in-situ testing and research in a true mining environment. The Experimental Mine is also available for individual companies to test equipment or for training purposes on a contract basis. CANMET-MMSL scientists at the Experimental Mine also offer a range of services to the local mining industry. The equipment suggested for acquisition represents the testing done by CANMET scientists. The mine comprises a unique underground hard rock testing site with an access ramp and five underground levels. There are two interconnected gold mines at this site. The earlier mine, Le Roy was opened from 1931-1932. It was operated by Le Roy Gold Mines Ltd. The Beacon II was open in mid-1980s and was owned by Mines Aurizon Ltd. There are over 2500 metres of drifts, plus raises and secondary openings and shrinkage stopes. Val-d'Or area is very important to Canadian mining since gold was discovered there in 1923. Gold, copper, zinc and lead are still mined there today. Val-d'Or had been and home to many mining companies such as Bourlamaque, Siscoe, Sigma, Sullivan, Lamaque, Osisco and Northern Star Mining. The history of the town reflects the region’s economic dependence on mining. [Ref. 1]

Function

Hands-free artificial source of light.

Technical

Used at E.M. in Val-d'Or. The lamps are placed on the rack after every use, and are only removed when the miner is going into the mine. Each miner and his/hers lamp are assigned a number. This is a double-checking system to ensure that everybody has returned safely. In 2010, the batteries would not charge fully anymore and the Canmet purchased a new set (lamps, batteries, a charger and a rack are sold as a set). [Ref. 1] Please see extensive History of Koehler in Acquisition Proposal [Ref. 1] Features of the lamps: EM&R approved for coal mines, no spark contact, greatest battery capacity - 15 amp hours, minimum maintenance, single bulb - two focusing filaments, single knob switching and focusing, high impact resistant battery jar, visible fluid level - easy watering, weight 5 pounds, battery 2" x 5" x 7". Life span of the light bulb: 2-3 years at 8 hours per day; 4-5 years as used at Canmet. Battery: An unequaled heavy duty 4-volt, 15 amp hour rechargeable lead-acid battery is the “heart” of Koehler Cap Lights. 12 hours light per charge (although CANMET scientists said that it was only 8 hours) with a 1.2 amp bulb; they are rechargeable 500 times, give 6,000 hours battery use. The smoothly contoured battery case has no protruding edges or wires to snag and has belt loops molded into the case. It is made of tough, high impact resistant polycarbonate and has reinforced corners for extra wear. Battery windows show water level at a glance. Patented traps eliminate plugs and insure easy maintenance. Headpiece: Made of tough high impact resistant polycarbonate and weighs only 5-1/2 ounces. Koehler Cap Lamps have a single Krypton filled bulb with two focusing filaments, each can be easily focused to a perfect spot. Each filament is designed for 275 hours, providing 550 hours useful bulb life, 15% more light and greater safety. A single knob switches and focuses both filaments, gives positive fingertip adjustment. The battery is a wet battery, and the water has to be added after the battery is fully charged.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

"Koehler" and "WHEAT" appear in raised print on either side of lamp casing. "MSHA/ PERMISSIBLE/ ELECTRIC CAP LAMP/ APPROVAL 6D-36-17 ISSUED TO/ KOEHLER MANUFACTURING CO./ CAUTION: User must not open headpiece/ or battery housing./ CERTIFIED/ ELECTRIC CAP/ LAMP/ [logo] CANADA/ EM & R/ COAL MINES/ NO. 61 L-2" stamped into top. "Koehler/ [Registered symbol] / WILKES-BARRE, PA. 18706 U.S.A./ 5000 SERIES/ 4 VOLT BATTERY/ CAUTION !: CONTAINS LEAD AND SULPHURIC ACID,/ HANDLE WITH CARE. DO NOT DROP,/ RUPTURE OR PUNCTURE. MAY EVOLVE HYDROGEN GAS; KEEP/ AWAY FROM ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION WHILE CHARGING./ [Recycle symbol]/ DISPOSAL: DISPOSE OF IN/ ACCORDANCE/ WITH FEDERAL , STATE AND LOCAL/ REGULATIONS./ WHEAT. [Registered symbol]" cast in raised print on one side of battery casing. "CAUTION! THIS BATTERY CASE IS MADE FROM POLYCARBONATE. DO NOT/ EXPOSE TO ANY SOLVENTS SUCH AS CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, GASOLINE, PAINT/ THINNER, BENZINE, ETC. SINCE THESE SUBSTANCES WILL SEVERELY DAMAGE/ THE CASE. ", Spanish language translation, and "PROTECTED UNDER ONE OR/ MORE OF THE FOLLOWING/ U.S. PATENTS:/ 4,202,936/ 4,285,121" with mfg. date code wheels printed on reverse. "8" printed on green dymo tape label affixed to battery casing.

Missing

Unknown: appears complete.

Finish

Lamp has black moulded synthetic casing; red synthetic rim around lamp face; clear glass [?] lamp window; glass & silver metal lamp bulb; silver metal clip; black synthetic covering on cord; silver metal cover on red synthetic battery casing; casing fitted with clear synthetic windows.

Decoration

N/A