948 



Popular Science Monthly 



An Electric Weather- Vane Indicator 



A WEATHER vane can be construct- 

 ed as shown in Fig. i or an old 

 existing vane can be used to serve the 



Q /fopP^'' Contact Strip 



I r ry'l 



Fig. 1. The ringing of a bell indicates 

 which way the wind is blowing 



same purpose. A circular wooden disk 

 4 ins. in diameter is mounted on the up- 

 right of the vane. This disk has eight 

 copper segments fastened to it as shown in 

 Fig. 2. The whole thing is mounted so 

 that the segment marked N is pointing 

 to true north; the 

 other segments will 

 then take the prop- 

 er directions. The 

 direction which the 

 wind is blowing 

 will be indicated 

 by the ringing of 

 the bell, since the 

 circuit is closed 

 when the switch 

 handle is brought 

 around to the point 

 corresponding to 

 the same point on 

 the vane. 



If the direction 

 of the wind is such 

 that the rod is 



Fig. 2. Diagram of 

 connections 



brought in contact with two seg- 

 ments at the same time, it will cause 

 the bell to ring when in contact with 

 both points on the switch. Such a 

 condition indicates that the wind is 

 blowing directly between the two direc- 

 tions indicated by the ringing of the 

 bell. For example, the switch at iV will 

 cause the bell to ring, and also at N . E. 

 The direction of the wind is then N. N. E. 

 By this method the direction of the 

 wind can be more accurately determined 



than by actual observation and also 

 does not make it necessary to see the 

 vane to determine the direction of the 

 wind. The method of wiring is shown 

 in Fig. 2. — J. M. Cohen. 



Electrical Lighting Device for the 

 Gas-Range 



NO woman appreciates the conve- 

 nience of an electrical lighting appa- 

 ratus for the gas-range until she has 

 actually used one. Following is the 

 description of one which is easily made: 



In the diagram is shown a 5-point 

 switch and a common push-button 

 installed on a suitable base. For this 

 purpose, a small board can be attached 

 to the wall near the stove. The push- 

 button is connected in series with three 

 or four dry batteries and the primary 

 winding of a spark-coil that will give at 

 least a >^-in. spark. 



The battery, the primary winding, 

 the four burners and the proper connec- 

 tions are shown in the diagram. Note 

 the pipe connection to the stove, with 

 one wire from the secondary winding 

 of the coil grounded to the pipe, while 

 the other end of the winding is connected 

 with the center of the 5-point switch. The 

 wires from the switch to the spark-gap 

 at the burners must be well insulated, 

 and at least an inch apart. 



The gaps at the burners are made 

 from No. 10 steel wire and insulated 

 from the stove with hard fiber. The 

 steel wire to the gap must come up into 

 the center of the burner from below, so 

 that the flame will not harm the wire 

 or gap. When it is desired to light a 

 burner, simply turn the switch to the 

 proper point, turn on the gas, and push 

 the button. 



Any amateur electrician can fit the gas- 

 range with a lighting device 



