This year Chris and Dennis Barnes plan to have a special display of Austin Lighting Sets most appropriately at Beaulieu, home of the National Motor Museum and host to the National Austin 7 Rally.
Two Austin sets have recently come to light again, after many years sleeping following the owners retirement from engine rallying. The first is a single cylinder set of 1920, powered by a small side valve engine and reputedly from a large house in the Dorking area of Surrey. The second is a larger two cylinder set, sadly minus its dynamo, last used on the Arundel Estate.
Looking up Austins led me to a very interesting website titled From this site, and with the help of several enthusiasts and organisations, I have been able to piece together a rough history of Austin and Austinlite products
Walker Horrocks Walker Horrocks & Co Ltd. of 45 Newhall Street, Birmingham were already making and selling fully automatic generating sets in sizes 2 to 28hp, some using purpose-built Austin engines from circa 1910. In 1909 two important patents were filed concerning the generation and storage of electrical power for house lighting. These were by Charles Bell Walker concerning the automatic switching on and off of the engine and a quick action switching method for contactors. The third by the company, made in 1911, was for an improved electrical connector. It is believed Siemens electrical equipment was used. No other history is known of this company at the present time.
Austin Motor Co. Ltd
In 1915 Herbert Austin’s company purchased Walker Horrocks, probably after receiving a government contract for 8KW generating sets for the Armed Forces. Some may have been for the Royal Flying Corps where it is assumed sets were used at rural airfields for the illumination of workshops and barracks. Austins at this time were already heavily committed to the war effort. A large number of these 8KW sets were sold off as surplus, some brand new after hostilities ceased, presenting purchasers with a bargain, no doubt.
This story is from the April 2017 edition of Stationary Engine.
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This story is from the April 2017 edition of Stationary Engine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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