Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-02-21
COMMUNICATED.

Editor Grand Rapids Reporter:
A brief statement as to the service
| given by the Electric Light plant will
enable the patrons who support it to
understand why the light has been
sometimes "not up to candle power"
The two rival plants were consolidated
as the only thing to be done if the large
investments of money in them were to
have any value.
They had been operated at high speed
without profit to either. The current
or electrical pressure had been pushed
beyond the converter capacity and as a
result fully three-scvenths Of all the
lamps burning were 10 volts while the
converters were only made for 100 volts.
To preserve these converters or prevent
burning out, the whole system was put
back to the place where the machines
were made to run. namely 102 volts.
We wish our patrons to know that with
a new lamp marked 102 volts they will
always have a 16 candle power light if
it, and this pressure can be measured
at any time. In operating the plants
together new lamps were required to
take the place of the 10 volt lamps
then in use and until this was done
three-seyenths of all the lights were
from 10 to IA candle power depending
upon the time they had been used.
Nearly all these lamps haye now been
exchanged and current of 1O2 volts
has been established as the standard
pressure for all incandescent lighting.
1t will be readily understood also that
in rebuilding the power part of the
plant and have it run smoothly, there
would oe mishap before it was per-
fected. The large Westinghouse
machine was heavily overloaded while
the other machines were being moved
and for some days we carried all the
lights on the large machine SO that no
one would be out of light, even though
it was not as good as it had been. By
December 1st these difficulties were
overcome and the plant itself is aud
has been electrically perfect. The
Lyon water power was the only avail
able place where this electric plant
could be operated. The dams being
new and tight this place could be
pended upon if any power at all was
rellabe No ice or drouth in winter
had ever shown that, from the Grand
Chute would not come sufficient water,
to drive these dynOmos up to their
capacity. The unexpected has happened.
For several weeks, the intense cold, the
less and less has finally taken away the
speed from the dynamos and we have
had Il very unsatisfactory light, at times
poor one. With little prospect OF
anything better for Il month we have
again moved one of the machines into
the flour mill and hope now the result
will justify the labor and expense, or
most of all please our patrons in the
improved service.
The water has never been known to
| be so low. Mr.. Tom Nash, of Nekoosa,
Mr.. F. Garrison, of South Centralia, Mr..
Jackson of the Milling Company in
| Centralia, will confirm this statement,
while Mr.. Edward Ketchum of Grand
| Rapids, who has worked many winters
on the ice here not only asserts the ice
| is too thick for cutting but also declares
the water in the river has never before
been anywhere near as low. His state
ment comes from practical observations
as part of bis business from year to
year.
On October 1st we told our patrons
We would give them the best service
possible from water power. This we
have done, and at rates for lighting
much lower than any other city or town
in this State. To use steam would
nearly double the cost, as inquiry else
where will demonstrate. We are now
about to consolidate all the water power
here. A cordial invitation to capital
with generous treatment when it comes
to you will make large and valuable
improvements while all increased popu-
iatlon and greater prosperity, will show
what can be done by working together.
The stockholders of the electric plant
hope much from this, as the steady