US&S
Searchlight Signal H-5 Style
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The H-5 searchlight signal was a
significant departure from earlier styles.
The changes increased the serviceability of these signals. While the changes were significant, the fundamental
manner in which the signal operated remained the same. As shown in the photograph below, major
changes included the addition of terminal blocks on the inner sides of the housing
with connectors to the internal unit.
This combined with the separation of the light unit from the internal unit
and the addition of a lever mechanism for securing the unit in the housing made
servicing easier. To remove the
internal unit, the light unit is unsnapped and hung on the back door
bracket. Next, the metal bar across the
connectors is rotated 90 degrees allowing the connectors to be pulled
loose. After this, the mechanism is removed
by moving the lever below the unit to the left, lifting the rear of the unit
and pulling it straight out. The major
advantage in this design is not having to detach any wires - just two
connectors. This also eliminates the
possibility of not properly reconnecting the wires to the terminals. Above. View of H-5 signal with the
light unit and electrical connectors removed from the internal unit. The electrical connectors grab connecting
pins located on the top rear of the internal unit. While difficult to see, a rotating metal bar located between
the sets of pins holds the connectors in place when the unit is in
service. To lock the connectors, it
is rotated 90 degrees. The light unit
is wired directly to the side terminals and would not be removed when the
internal unit is removed for servicing.\ Right. View with the internal unit
and light unit removed. Note that the
inner doublet lens is an integral part of the searchlight housing and not
part of the internal unit as on the H-2 style signal. |
Above. Rear view of the H-5 signal showing its characteristic right swinging door with protruding section at the bottom. Above. H-5 signal with rear door open. Note how the rear door covers the outside edge of the gasket providing the gasket with protection from the elements. On the H and H-2 style signals, one side of the gasket is completely exposed to the elements. While difficult to see, there is a metal bracket on the inside of the door for hanging the light unit when it is removed from the internal unit. . |