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Ignition key positions?
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:33 pm
by wmellman
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?
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 5:58 pm
by drrot
Bill,
Post a photo. Sounds like an original CLUM switch
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:21 am
by wmellman
Will get picture in about a week. Posting it will be another learning experience - kinda like restoring the boat.
Bill
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:15 pm
by Don Ayers
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.
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:21 pm
by Don Ayers
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!
Ignition switch plate
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:36 pm
by wmellman
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.
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:49 pm
by Don Ayers
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!
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:58 pm
by wmellman
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.
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:04 pm
by drrot
Don,
Clum was purchased by Briggs And Stratton Co.(BASCO) THey still have some of the records but no old parts.
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:15 pm
by Don Ayers
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.
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:58 pm
by Al Benton
What is the "DIM" position for on these switches? Got my curiosity going.
Al
Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:13 pm
by Al Benton
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.
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:02 pm
by Don Ayers
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?
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:23 pm
by Brian Robinson
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.