WWII Arc Light searchlight info needed

[rtk]

A buddy and myself are in the process of restoring a WWII Arc Light . We are at the stage where we have the Genset running and are getting ready to power up the Arc Light . We are looking for ANY info/TM's on these old lights . They are a pretty sophisticated setup and LARGE !! The light is about 5 feet !!! . The genset is a DC unit on a trailer and the arc light is separate on it's own trailer . We hope to get the unit working and bring it to the MVPA Convention next year . We need help with the control box/wiring on the light . I will get some pictures next time I work on the unit . I checked in the TM's but they don't cover anything this old . PM me if you can help , Thanks in advance , Bob k

 

[Poccur]

Cool project...who made it? GE??

I found this:

[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7040 Technical Manual[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Operator's Manual and Parts and Price Lists, Model 1941A, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1](Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady), 354 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81479 - BSIR 8(5):412; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7044 Technical Manual, 1943.Combined Operator's Manual, Maintenance Manual and Parts List for Search-Light Trailer, Model 1131 Special (Manufactured by the Fruehauf Trailer Co., Detroit), 112 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 67615 - BSIR 5(9):813; 45/30/47[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7045 Technical Manual, 1943. Searchlight, 60-inch General Electric[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942 and Control Station, 162 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81444 - BSIR 8(5):412; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7046 Technical Manual, 1943. Parts and Price Lists, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942 (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady), 178 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81466 - BSIR 8(5):412; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7047 Technical Manual, 1943. Maintenance Manual, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942, 588 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81438 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7048 Technical Manual, , 1943. Parts and Price Lists for Portable Power Plant for Searchlight, 60-inch General Electric Model 1942, 48 pages. PB 81481 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7049 Technical Manual, , 1943. Operator's Manual, Portable Power Plant for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942 (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y.), 89 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81458 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7051 Technical Manual, , 1944. Maintenance Manual, Portable Power Plant for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942 (Manufactured by General Electric Co., Schenectady, N.Y.), 280 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81468 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7104 Technical Manual, , 1942. Parts and Price Lists for 24-inch Searchlight Equipment,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942, Portable Power Plant (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y.), 81 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 85513 - BSIR 8(5):412; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7107, Technical Manual, 1942. Operator's Manual for 24-inch Searchlight Equipment,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942, Portable Power Plant (Manufactured by General Electric Co.), 57 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 85512 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7111 Technical Manual, , 1943. Operator's Manual, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942A (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady), 174 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81465 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7112 Technical Manual, , 1943. Parts Catalog, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942, 212 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81448 - BSIR 8(5):412; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7113 Technical Manual, , 43. Maintenance Manual, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942A (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y.), 650 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81439 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7115 Technical Manual, , 1943. Operator's Manual, Portable Power Plant for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Model 1942A (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y.), 86 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81450 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7116 Technical Manual, , 1943.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Parts Catalog, Portable Power Plant for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight, Model 1942A[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1](Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady), 93 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81467 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7117 Technical Manual, , 1944. Maintenance Manual, Portable Power Plant for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight, Model 1942A[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1](Manufactured by General Electric Co., Schenectady, N.Y.), 280 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81445 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+2]Manual numbers that were published for Sperry Searchlights[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7130 Technical Manual, , n.d..[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Operator's Manual for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlights, Mobile & Portable Units, Model 1934[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1](Manufactured by Sperry Gyroscope Co. Inc., Brooklyn. N.Y.), 526 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81477 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7140 Technical Manual, , 42.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Operator's Manual for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight Equipment, Model 1941-A ...[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1](Manufactured by Sperry Gyroscope Co. Inc. Brooklyn, N.Y.), 345 pages.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]PB 81478 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48[/SIZE]



[SIZE=+3]You can get some manuals from these places below[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Military/Info Publishing[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]P.O.Box 27640[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Golden Valley, MN 55427[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1](763) 533-8627[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]http://www.military-info.com/mphoto/p002.htm[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]-7111 Operating Instructions Manual. Searchlight, 60-inch Model 1942A and Control Station (November 1943); 156 pages, 79 illus. Price 16.00 {Item No.4099}[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Dave Orlando, of San Jose, had some nice reprints of GE and Sperry manuals.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Contact him at:[/SIZE]
searchlightguy@aol.com
[SIZE=+1](40 929-4455[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]Peter Munn, of New Zealand, sells a very nice scanned GE Operations manual on a CD.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Contact him at:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]info2@harvest.com[/SIZE]

 

[rtk]

yes it is a GE , The Glass And Mirror is in pretty good shape . We pulled the head and freed up the valves , engine has very little use and runs very well , got everything cleaned and painted . We are at the stage of trying to put all the pieces together and see what happens !!! LOL thank you very much for the info , a lifesaver , all the best Bob k

 

[Al Harvey]

There was a gentleman at the Denton, NC rally that had an operational searchlight. He came up and had it running and it was awesome. I talked to him and he had the generator on the same trailer as the light and used it for local events i.e. car dealerships, special events, etc. Don't think I got his information anywhere, but someone else might.

 

[rtk]

It is a amazing unit for WWII , Lots of ways to control the operation ( rotation and elevation ) of the light . Basicly a welder generator on steroids . The plan is to keep the unit as is on the two trailers . There is a LOT of small electrical items to take care of on both units , but most of the big parts are done , so we shall see , it would look neat in front of the Tank Plant fired up at the convention !! LOL

 

[Geo44]

My first job in the late 60s was running these searchlights for a company in Los Angeles called Film Ad. They would haul the searchlight to a movie opening, car dealer, or some other function and call me with the address. I would run it for three hours for $15.00, big money for a 16 year old at the time. I ran one at Lions Drag Strip in Wilmington every Saturday night for a couple of years. I have a few good stories from the time. I still think they are neat and will be following this thread.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

I have access to 5 operational lights, not sure if they have any manuals but I would be glad to answer operational questions, or trace wires/get pictures for you. They are very awesome and like moths to a flame, they do attract people.

 

[rtk]

A Big Thank's to everybody for the help !!!!! yes , we may need a few pictures and or info to get this thing up and running . I will keep everybody posted on the build . Can not wait to see this light lit up , should get the attention of the local LEO's or Homeland security !!!! LOL

 

[Ferroequinologist]

We normally call the FAA when operating within 10 miles of an airport... lol would rather let them know than be surrounded by LEOs...

 

[rtk]

EXACTLY !!!! Ya we plan on letting everybody in on the secret before we fire it up !!! The local LEO's are pretty good , a lot are ex military and have a interest in our stuff . We do have to be careful as the NFAFB is just down the street , the Base Commander would be upset for sure !!!! LOL We don't need a visit from the AP !!! One of our members who lives just off base owns a Deuce and had a visit from the AP as a NEIGHBOR complained that how come soldiers have TAKE HOME MV's !!!!! It all worked good , everybody had a laugh , but there you go !!!

 

[Radden]

Cool project...who made it? GE??

I found this:

[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7040 Technical Manual
Operator's Manual and Parts and Price Lists, Model 1941A, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station
(Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady), 354 pages.
PB 81479 - BSIR 8(5):412; 01/30/48
TM 5-7044 Technical Manual, 1943.Combined Operator's Manual, Maintenance Manual and Parts List for Search-Light Trailer, Model 1131 Special (Manufactured by the Fruehauf Trailer Co., Detroit), 112 pages.
PB 67615 - BSIR 5(9):813; 45/30/47
TM 5-7045 Technical Manual, 1943. Searchlight, 60-inch General Electric
Model 1942 and Control Station, 162 pages.
PB 81444 - BSIR 8(5):412; 01/30/48
TM 5-7046 Technical Manual, 1943. Parts and Price Lists, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station,
Model 1942 (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady), 178 pages.
PB 81466 - BSIR 8(5):412; 01/30/48
TM 5-7047 Technical Manual, 1943. Maintenance Manual, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station,
Model 1942, 588 pages.
PB 81438 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48
TM 5-7048 Technical Manual, , 1943. Parts and Price Lists for Portable Power Plant for Searchlight, 60-inch General Electric Model 1942, 48 pages. PB 81481 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48
TM 5-7049 Technical Manual, , 1943. Operator's Manual, Portable Power Plant for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight,
Model 1942 (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y.), 89 pages.
PB 81458 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7051 Technical Manual, , 1944. Maintenance Manual, Portable Power Plant for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight,
Model 1942 (Manufactured by General Electric Co., Schenectady, N.Y.), 280 pages.
PB 81468 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7104 Technical Manual, , 1942. Parts and Price Lists for 24-inch Searchlight Equipment,
Model 1942, Portable Power Plant (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y.), 81 pages.
PB 85513 - BSIR 8(5):412; 01/30/48
TM 5-7107, Technical Manual, 1942. Operator's Manual for 24-inch Searchlight Equipment,
Model 1942, Portable Power Plant (Manufactured by General Electric Co.), 57 pages.
PB 85512 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48
TM 5-7111 Technical Manual, , 1943. Operator's Manual, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station,
Model 1942A (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady), 174 pages.
PB 81465 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48
TM 5-7112 Technical Manual, , 1943. Parts Catalog, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station,
Model 1942, 212 pages.
PB 81448 - BSIR 8(5):412; 01/30/48
TM 5-7113 Technical Manual, , 43. Maintenance Manual, 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight and Control Station,
Model 1942A (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y.), 650 pages.
PB 81439 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48
TM 5-7115 Technical Manual, , 1943. Operator's Manual, Portable Power Plant for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight,
Model 1942A (Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y.), 86 pages.
PB 81450 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48
TM 5-7116 Technical Manual, , 1943.
Parts Catalog, Portable Power Plant for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight, Model 1942A
(Manufactured by General Electric, Schenectady), 93 pages.
PB 81467 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48
TM 5-7117 Technical Manual, , 1944. Maintenance Manual, Portable Power Plant for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight, Model 1942A
(Manufactured by General Electric Co., Schenectady, N.Y.), 280 pages.
PB 81445 - BSIR 8(5):411; 01/30/48[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+2]Manual numbers that were published for Sperry Searchlights[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]TM 5-7130 Technical Manual, , n.d..
Operator's Manual for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlights, Mobile & Portable Units, Model 1934
(Manufactured by Sperry Gyroscope Co. Inc., Brooklyn. N.Y.), 526 pages.
PB 81477 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48
TM 5-7140 Technical Manual, , 42.
Operator's Manual for 60-inch Antiaircraft Searchlight Equipment, Model 1941-A ...
(Manufactured by Sperry Gyroscope Co. Inc. Brooklyn, N.Y.), 345 pages.
PB 81478 - BSIR 8(4):320; 01/23/48[/SIZE]



[SIZE=+3]You can get some manuals from these places below[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Military/Info Publishing
P.O.Box 27640
Golden Valley, MN 55427
(763) 533-8627[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]http://www.military-info.com/mphoto/p002.htm[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]TM 5[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]-7111 Operating Instructions Manual. Searchlight, 60-inch Model 1942A and Control Station (November 1943); 156 pages, 79 illus. Price 16.00 {Item No.4099}[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Dave Orlando, of San Jose, had some nice reprints of GE and Sperry manuals.
Contact him at:[/SIZE]
searchlightguy@aol.com
[SIZE=+1](40 929-4455[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]Peter Munn, of New Zealand, sells a very nice scanned GE Operations manual on a CD.
Contact him at:
info2@harvest.com[/SIZE]

I have a Sperry 60" light and would like to find and manuals and documentation. Your post is not very readable. Could you send me information Thanks, Bob email rpcope@cope5.com

 

[Kirk Skaggs]

I have a Sperry 60" light and would like to find and manuals and documentation. Your post is not very readable. Could you send me information Thanks, Bob email rpcope@cope5.com

Here is a link to reprints of the Sperry Searchlight manuals on Ebay.

REPRINT WWII SPERRY/GE 60-INCH SEARCHLIGHT MODELS 1941 1942 THREE MANUALS | eBay

Manuals are these These are not your grandmother's scans. Every page has been hand-corrected to remove as many blemishes as possible. Special care was taken with the half-tone images to make sure all the depth and range of the originals is preserved.

www.ebay.com

Kirk