Hi,I recently came across a rather unusual find manufactured by the Bodine Electric Company of Chicago. It appears to be a sychronous generator capable of producing 110 VAC and 110 VDC simultaneously. It is my impression the generator armature was driven by an opposing motor. I would date it somewhere in the 20s. The generator has two motor tags on each end. One indicating DC voltage on the commutator end...the other indicating AC voltage on the end of the motor with the two slip rings. On each of the tags is the name RAY-DI-CO. Number 1...can someone please in detail define RAY-DI-CO. to me? I can't find much on the web, sounds like RADIO to me. Number 2...if this generator was used for radio purpose, PLEASE...what was its purpose? Much thanks in advance.

In the early days of electrification, supply voltages varied between DC and AC and in 25, 50 or 60 cycles depending on where you lived. They weren't yet standardized.
Until the mid '20's, most radios ran off of 'A' and 'B' and sometimes 'C' batteries. The first AC sets warned you not to apply DC, and vice-versa.
This unit may have been a converter for radio/appliance use. Much like a 'dyna-motor' to supply needed voltages.

: In the early days of electrification, supply voltages varied between DC and AC and in 25, 50 or 60 cycles depending on where you lived. They weren't yet standardized.
: Until the mid '20's, most radios ran off of 'A' and 'B' and sometimes 'C' batteries. The first AC sets warned you not to apply DC, and vice-versa.
: This unit may have been a converter for radio/appliance use. Much like a 'dyna-motor' to supply needed voltages.
:

:: In the early days of electrification, supply voltages varied between DC and AC and in 25, 50 or 60 cycles depending on where you lived. They weren't yet standardized.
:: Until the mid '20's, most radios ran off of 'A' and 'B' and sometimes 'C' batteries. The first AC sets warned you not to apply DC, and vice-versa.
:: This unit may have been a converter for radio/appliance use. Much like a 'dyna-motor' to supply needed voltages.
::
:
:Thanks for your reply. If you go to the Bodine Electric website they have a history link. It states that Bodine entered the booming radio market in 24. Turntable motors were part of their early product line. Based on motor photos in their history timeline I would date this motor/converter in the 20s not much later than early 30s. I wonder if early radio transmission may of used this generator? Who or what is....RAY-DI-CO.?? It must symbolize something?
:
Found it! One of Chicago's earliest AM radio stations WGAS established in 22 was Licensed by..THE RAY-DI-CO. organization. I have a early generator that must of helped in some way bring the signal from Chicago to the old relics you collect. Its been fun. Later.

::: In the early days of electrification, supply voltages varied between DC and AC and in 25, 50 or 60 cycles depending on where you lived. They weren't yet standardized.
::: Until the mid '20's, most radios ran off of 'A' and 'B' and sometimes 'C' batteries. The first AC sets warned you not to apply DC, and vice-versa.
::: This unit may have been a converter for radio/appliance use. Much like a 'dyna-motor' to supply needed voltages.
:::
::
::Thanks for your reply. If you go to the Bodine Electric website they have a history link. It states that Bodine entered the booming radio market in 24. Turntable motors were part of their early product line. Based on motor photos in their history timeline I would date this motor/converter in the 20s not much later than early 30s. I wonder if early radio transmission may of used this generator? Who or what is....RAY-DI-CO.?? It must symbolize something?
::
:
:
:Found it! One of Chicago's earliest AM radio stations WGAS established in 22 was Licensed by..THE RAY-DI-CO. organization. I have a early generator that must of helped in some way bring the signal from Chicago to the old relics you collect. Its been fun. Later.
:

:::: In the early days of electrification, supply voltages varied between DC and AC and in 25, 50 or 60 cycles depending on where you lived. They weren't yet standardized.
:::: Until the mid '20's, most radios ran off of 'A' and 'B' and sometimes 'C' batteries. The first AC sets warned you not to apply DC, and vice-versa.
:::: This unit may have been a converter for radio/appliance use. Much like a 'dyna-motor' to supply needed voltages.

google "rotary converter on the New York ssubway ssystem" They converted 11kV at 25 Hz to 600VDC.:::::
:::Thanks for your reply. If you go to the Bodine Electric website they have a history link. It states that Bodine entered the booming radio market in 24. Turntable motors were part of their early product line. Based on motor photos in their history timeline I would date this motor/converter in the 20s not much later than early 30s. I wonder if early radio transmission may of used this generator? Who or what is....RAY-DI-CO.?? It must symbolize something?
:::
::
::
::Found it! One of Chicago's earliest AM radio stations WGAS established in 22 was Licensed by..THE RAY-DI-CO. organization. I have a early generator that must of helped in some way bring the signal from Chicago to the old relics you collect. Its been fun. Later.
::
:
Google "New York subway skystem rotary converter" Sounds like a small version of what they changed 11KV @ 25Hz to 600VDC.

::::: In the early days of electrification, supply voltages varied between DC and AC and in 25, 50 or 60 cycles depending on where you lived. They weren't yet standardized.
::::: Until the mid '20's, most radios ran off of 'A' and 'B' and sometimes 'C' batteries. The first AC sets warned you not to apply DC, and vice-versa.
::::: This unit may have been a converter for radio/appliance use. Much like a 'dyna-motor' to supply needed voltages.
:
:
:
:google "rotary converter on the New York ssubway ssystem" They converted 11kV at 25 Hz to 600VDC.:::::
::::Thanks for your reply. If you go to the Bodine Electric website they have a history link. It states that Bodine entered the booming radio market in 24. Turntable motors were part of their early product line. Based on motor photos in their history timeline I would date this motor/converter in the 20s not much later than early 30s. I wonder if early radio transmission may of used this generator? Who or what is....RAY-DI-CO.?? It must symbolize something?
::::
:::
:::
:::Found it! One of Chicago's earliest AM radio stations WGAS established in 22 was Licensed by..THE RAY-DI-CO. organization. I have a early generator that must of helped in some way bring the signal from Chicago to the old relics you collect. Its been fun. Later.
:::
::
:
:
:
:
:Google "New York subway skystem rotary converter" Sounds like a small version of what they changed 11KV @ 25Hz to 600VDC.
: