Tiny Tim battery charger

[Brew Up]

Ive got what I believe is a Tiny Tim battery charger in my workshop. Ive been told they were used by the military in Tanks, is that right? If so what vehicles would it haven been used in. We have had it running but there are a few bits missing from the charging system. Any info would be of great interest.

 

Thanks,

Dean

[matchlesswdg3]

Hi, Dean.......I have been looking for one of these units for my display, so I can at least tell you that they were used by Royal Signals units during the Normandy campaign for recharging radio batteries.  They were carried on a variety of RS vehicles.  But I am sure their application was very diverse.  

[Brew Up]

I wasn't aware they were used by the Royal Signals or during WW2. There are some serial numbers on it, would be great if it could be dated.

[Lauren Child]

Tiny Tims were used late war in tanks, Churchill, Cromwell, Comet, etc.  There was a metal lid that fitted over the top on tank ones.

[REME 245]

I would have expected the Canadian manufactured 300 watt Chorehorse Generator to have been the standard vehicle fit for Royal Signal vehicles.  I don't recall seeing Tiny Tims in stowage diagrams for non-armoured applications but may be wrong.

[ruxy]

ONAN   2 cyl.  must have been quite common WW2

 

 

[Yeoman]

Hi Dean,

I have 3 Tiny Tims in running order with a 4th that I am currently restoring.They are all 12v 300watts, I believe that some were also made as 24v units.There are several videos of these units on Youtube which might help you,also there are entries on an American forum -Smokstak - which are useful.

Thay were made by Continental Motors corp,Muskegon,Mich.,USA.

I have been advised that they were  used as auxillary engines in Allied tanks during WW2 to charge up the main engine batteries and to power the radios.

There are various 'manuals' about which give basic information .

Hope that helps you a little.

All the best,

Kev.

 

[Brew Up]

Many thanks for the replies. Ive done a bit of searching online but haven't found any pictures of one fitted in a tank.

There seems to be some variation in design, i'm guessing there were maybe post or pre-war designs too?. Are there any features or something to look for that means it could be identified as a WW2 item?

Its a nice bit of kit to go with my stationary engines, I wouldn't fancy carrying it any distance though, its a lump of a thing.

[matchlesswdg3]

13 hours ago, REME 245 said:

I would have expected the Canadian manufactured 300 watt Chorehorse Generator to have been the standard vehicle fit for Royal Signal vehicles.  I don't recall seeing Tiny Tims in stowage diagrams for non-armoured applications but may be wrong.

I have a book (The Secret Wireless War) that lists equipment carried by the British Special Communications/Liaison Units post Normandy that handled the secret Ultra traffic.  This included a Tiny Tim for battery charging and an American Onan for generating power.  But their kit was specialised and included radio gear not issued to the Army, for example.  Although I said Royal Signals, they were composite units and included Intelligence Corps officers and other specialists.  The vehicles included stripped out Dodge WC 54s for use in the American sector and Guy 15cwt wireless vans in the British sector!

[REME 245]

I have an 1250 watt Onan for sale if you can identify the type.

[matchlesswdg3]

43 minutes ago, REME 245 said:

I have an 1250 watt Onan for sale if you can identify the type.

I just wanted a Tiny Tim to go in the WC54.  I think the Onan would have been carried by the unit's GS trucks as I think its quite a big/heavy bit of kit?  No idea what type it was.

[mark m uk]

Does anyone have any ideas or information about this little charging unit? 

[Rob Abbott]

Hi Mark

Looks to me to be the WW2 lightweight 80 Watt generator used for charging up Wireless batteries. It was widely used most notably as standard Airborne signals equipment and was fitted in vehicles such as Airborne Radio Jeeps. 

Hope that points you in the right direction for any further research. 

Regards

Rob

[Rootes75]

Looks like a lovely little bit of kit to me.

[Richard Farrant]

Have one of these unused in a crate with spare parts  and instruction book. Made be several manufacturers, but believe Stuart Turner Ltd initially designed it. Others like Enfield and Douglas also built them.

[mark m uk]

37 minutes ago, Rob Abbott said:

Hi Mark

Looks to me to be the WW2 lightweight 80 Watt generator used for charging up Wireless batteries. It was widely used most notably as standard Airborne signals equipment and was fitted in vehicles such as Airborne Radio Jeeps. 

Hope that points you in the right direction for any further research. 

Regards

Rob

Thank you Rob, that is priceless - really appreciate your help. 

[mark m uk]

9 minutes ago, Richard Farrant said:

Have one of these unused in a crate with spare parts  and instruction book. Made be several manufacturers, but believe Stuart Turner Ltd initially designed it. Others like Enfield and Douglas also built them.

Thank you Richard, very useful - really grateful for you sharing your knowledge. 
Do you (or anyone else) have any idea about value on these things? 
it isn’t mine, doesn’t run - but my mate asked me to find about it. 

[REME 245]

Not just airborne use and a lot of people ask silly prices for something which is not rare apart from in the condition Richard has.   I remember dealers having them in crates at Beltring probably 30 years ago. 

 

You appear to be missing the air cleaner, end plates, exhaust and cover.   Non-functioning and it that condition I would say no more than about £150.00 - £200.00.

Edited December 19, 2022 by REME 245

[Richard Farrant]

6 minutes ago, mark m uk said:

 
Do you (or anyone else) have any idea about value on these things? 
 

Hi Mark,

I have no idea of what one like that would sell for currently. Had mine at least 35 years.

[mark m uk]

30 minutes ago, REME 245 said:

Not just airborne use and a lot of people ask silly prices for something which is not rare apart from in the condition Richard has.   I remember dealers having them in crates at Beltring probably 30 years ago. 

 

You appear to be missing the air cleaner, end plates, exhaust and cover.   Non-functioning and it that condition I would say no more than about £150.00 - £200.00.

Thank you, really appreciate your answer.