Ignition key positions?

wmellman · Post by **wmellman** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:33 pm

I have acquired a 1936 Deluxe Runabout double cockpit (User Boat). It has been repowered with a KL (early serial number). There is a round metal label plate on the dash surrounding the igition key cylinder. It lists 3 positions: at 12:00 is "OFF". at 2:00 is "ON". These I understand. At 10:00 is "DIM".

Is this like accessory where the lights work but the ignition is off? Is this plate original? Where can I find out what I really have here?

drrot · Post by **drrot** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 5:58 pm

Bill,
Post a photo. Sounds like an original CLUM switch

wmellman · Post by **wmellman** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:21 am

Will get picture in about a week. Posting it will be another learning experience - kinda like restoring the boat.

Bill

Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:15 pm

Here is a pic of a type of clum. Mid 1930's. This one does not have the handle but does use a clum switch.

Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:21 pm

Oops! That one does have the handle but in the late thirties they dropped the handle and plate and just had a switch.

After clum came BASCO and then Yale Jr.

Here is a little quiz! Who can tell me what BASCO stand for? Have fun!

wmellman · Post by **wmellman** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:36 pm

Well, It's not a Clum. Just a key switch with a thin aluminum, round position indicating plate mounted on the dash surrounding the key switch. It's about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. I'll post a picture next week. Thanks for you info so far.

Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:49 pm

bill;

What size is your boat? 18'? I think I got some good factory pics of that. Will look to see if any have the dash showing and I will scan and post for you.

Neat boat!

wmellman · Post by **wmellman** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:58 pm

Don,

Yes, it's 18 ft. Has over 95% original wood. Too bad the engine was replaced in the late 40's with a KL. However, as a user boat, I'd probably have done the same thing. At least it's a Chris Craft engine.

Thanks for trying to help with this.

drrot · Post by **drrot** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:04 pm

Don,
Clum was purchased by Briggs And Stratton Co.(BASCO) THey still have some of the records but no old parts.

Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:15 pm

Jim;

Very good, you just won a new car!!! BASCO's as far as I can tell were only used in the late 30's from around 1938-39.

Hope you are doing well. Dan Nelson keeping you busy I'll bet.

Al Benton · Post by **Al Benton** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:58 pm

What is the "DIM" position for on these switches? Got my curiosity going.

Al

Al Benton · Post by **Al Benton** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:13 pm

Truth is, I don't need to know what "DIM" does on an ignition switch. But Bill Mellman asked the question and just thought someone would answer him. I admit, I'm still curious.

Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:02 pm

Al;

It is for the running lights but I don't recall exactly why it is called DIM. In those early days you did not have any other switches. Maybe Brian Robinson remembers?

Brian Robinson · Post by **Brian Robinson** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:23 pm

Interesting. Never really thought about it.

I'm not positive here, but I do know that the competitions version of the Clum switch, specifically the units made by Delco in round and oval versions in the 1920s and 30s, were widely used by Hackercraft, Sea Lyon, Buick, Packard, Pierce Arrow, etc. These switch clusters served the same purpose as the Clum switch and had a knob dimmer to dim the lights on the circuit. So, my best guess is that when the Clum switch was used in other applications (non Chris-Craft, likely automotive) with a separate running light switch, the DIM position was intended to dim (darken) the lights.

Ignition key positions?

Ignition key positions?

Ignition switch plate

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