question

larry@stinescorner · Nov 11, 2011

I just did some concrete work,and in an old shed that is falling down there was an old machine,I dont have a clue what it was , The ID plate on it said Tirrill equalizing gas machine and it was made by the Tirrill gas machine lighting co I have never seen anything like it was wondering if any of you have THANKS

John Harmon · Nov 11, 2011

Perhaps a gas plant from the days of Carbide House Lighting.One of the farms we rented had a huge 2 story house on it which we lived in for 4 years. Upstairs there were surface mounted 3/8 inch black pipe plumbed into ornate ceiling fixtures and wall sconce lighting.We were told it was left over from the days of gas lighting.

bruce vande · Nov 11, 2011

Saw one in an old farm house basement. The house was piped for gas lighting and the unit in the basement made the gas.
If you google "Ashland The Henry Clay House" there is a sketch of a similar setup.

Paul from MI · Nov 11, 2011

Probably an old acetylene gas generator. Acetylene cgas will be generated when carbide is dropped into water. A neighbor when I was a kid generated his own acetylene gas for welding with one of them. It could also be used for lighting. Very early cars about 1910 used on board acetylene generators to make gas for headlights.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Nov 11, 2011

(quoted from post at 18:02:43 11/11/11) Probably an old acetylene gas generator. Acetylene cgas will be generated when carbide is dropped into water. A neighbor when I was a kid generated his own acetylene gas for welding with one of them. It could also be used for lighting. Very early cars about 1910 used on board acetylene generators to make gas for headlights.

ocal blacksmith blew entire back wall out of his shop with one of them. Lucky he just walked into another part and was not hurt.

Bob Huntress · Nov 11, 2011

It's a pretty awesome rig, or it was in it's day. It made actyline (my spelling aside) for lighting $ cooking etc. If we could effeciently cool a home and fridge(absorbsion A/C is that effecint, thou it can be done with actyline) we wouldn't need electricity for the most part.

ShadetreeRet · Nov 11, 2011

My Granddad had "Carbide lights", as they were referred to in our locale, installed in his house. I remember when I was a kid there was a large round metal contraption in the back yard about four feet in diameter and about two or three feet deep. It was mostly in the ground except for about a foot, with a galvanized lid, (kinda looked like an oversized garbage can), I asked my Dad what it was and he said it was for generating carbide gas. The house had, as someone else mentioned, piping throughout and the light fixtures were very ornate in design. Dad said they never used it much. I think it had something to do with the price of carbide. Granddad was just a little stingy. Dad said he could squeeze a nickle until the buffalo defecated. The systems did have a lot of drawbacks and inherent dangers.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 16, 2012

We are almost ready to rebuild & expand our 1885 church building... we have found a Tirrill Gas Equalizer control tank in our basement... original very good condition.. with pin striping and all. Interested?

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larry@stinescorner

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John Harmon

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bruce vande

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Paul from MI

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john .?-!. cub owner

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Bob Huntress

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ShadetreeRet

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Anonymous-0

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