Around about Christmas 1879 a certain prominent person installed electric lighting in his home in Porchester Gardens using a battery of Grove Cells. This was not a very successful power source so a portable generator was then used.
And of course LIMITED electric lighting was possible from large dry cells. Four flag cells, and a 5.5 volt 0.3 amp bulb would give minimal lighting for several dozen hours. That could be a years limited use as a convenience light if the main lighting was gas or oil.
A late relative purchased a new house in the 1930s, "wired for the electric light" but no electricity supply was available for a couple of months. They connected a 6 volt car battery to the fuse box and fitted home made adapters to use 6 volt cycle dynamo MES lamps in the bayonet lamp holders.
Once a week they swapped the battery for the one in the car.
Minimal lighting at the flick of a switch was far better than fumbling with a torch or a candle. They had a gas cooker, a Tilley lamp, and a coke boiler for heating and hot water.
A neighbour used a battery charged at the local pub.
And of course LIMITED electric lighting was possible from large dry cells. Four flag cells, and a 5.5 volt 0.3 amp bulb would give minimal lighting for several dozen hours. That could be a years limited use as a convenience light if the main lighting was gas or oil.
A late relative purchased a new house in the 1930s, "wired for the electric light" but no electricity supply was available for a couple of months. They connected a 6 volt car battery to the fuse box and fitted home made adapters to use 6 volt cycle dynamo MES lamps in the bayonet lamp holders.
Once a week they swapped the battery for the one in the car.
Minimal lighting at the flick of a switch was far better than fumbling with a torch or a candle. They had a gas cooker, a Tilley lamp, and a coke boiler for heating and hot water.
A neighbour used a battery charged at the local pub.
