[D0103AAM], Letter from Gilliland Electric Co, James F Gilliland to Thomas Alva Edison, October 21st, 1901
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D0103AAM
Transcription
Answer Nov 1-1901 [TAE Marginalia] <Rider people say their engine is no good for the purpose E Adrian, Mich., Oct. 21st, 1901 Thos A. Edison, c/o Edison Laboratory, Orange, N.J. Dear Sir:- I send you under separate cover a catalogue and description of the Rider & Ericsson hot air engine, which they now have in a very compact shape. They are also arranged for burning kerosene oil, as well as other fuel. Their oil burner has been in use for ten years, and works nicely. The manager of the Chicago Office, states that the most economical fuel is chestnut anthracite coal, which costs one cent an hour to run the small size engine. A one horse power Rider engine, is the engine in my judgement to run a charging dynamo for your storage battery. There is only one thing that I know of, that might prevent the use of these engines, and that is they have not a governor on them, and consequently do not run perfectly steady. If this does not interfere with the charging of your batteries, it is the ideal power. The catalogue gives a full description and many testimonials about the engine which has been in use for many years. The workmanship of this engine is first class, and all parts are interchangeable. I think the patents are all out, and that the engine could be manufactured for much less than they could be bought from the Rider & Ericsson Co., although one of the proprietors told me that if I could use the engines in large quantities, they would make a special price on them. My idea would be that this engine could be used for pumping purposes as well as for charging batteries, which would be a great advantage over the other arrangement I received recently, a letter from Herman Dick, in which he states that you thought I was working on a kerosene engine instead of a stream engine. There are two or three kerosene engines in the market now, but at a much higher price, and much more trouble to run than the Rider engine. I would like to hear from you as to your opinion on this engine, and if you think it could be used I could get one for testing or experimental purposes. I requested Mr. Dick to find out what amperage and voltage the dynamo should have for charging outfit. He gave me the voltage, but not the amperage. Hoping everything is going along nicely with you in your new factory, I remain. Very truly yours, J.F. Gilliland