Overview
The General Electric Tungar 277153 is an early 20th-century battery charger that exemplifies vintage electrical engineering. Rated for 115 volts AC at 60 cycles with 3-cell 2-amp charging capability, it features a Tungar bulb—an acronym for Tungsten Argon, a tungsten filament filled with argon gas. Introduced in the early 20th century, the Tungar series marked a significant advancement in battery charging technology, utilizing Tungar bulbs—early rectifier tubes—to convert alternating current to direct current.
Key Features
- Tungar Rectifier Technology: The Tungar bulb has the ability to handle large amounts of current and was relatively immune to shorted battery cells, making it ideal for battery charging.
- Multi-Tap Configuration: Provides 2-amp output for 3-cell batteries and 0.25-amp output for 48-cell batteries, enabling flexible charging options.
- Reliable DC Conversion: Converts 115VAC 60-cycle input to stable DC output for safe battery charging.
- Durable Vintage Construction: The GE Tungar charger was widely used for lead-acid storage batteries, with robust design and dependable performance making it a staple in both commercial and industrial environments.
Technical Specifications
GE CAT# 277153 (1921) is a Radio A Storage Battery Charger rated at 2A for 3 cells and 0.25A for 48 cells, using model 277469 Tungar bulb.
Typical Applications
- Early radio equipment power supply and maintenance charging
- Radio storage A batteries and car battery charging
- Vintage automotive battery restoration and trickle charging
- Museum and educational display of early electrical technology
- Collectible equipment for vintage electronics restoration projects
Compatibility & Replacements
Compatible With
- 3-cell storage batteries (2V to 6V automotive lead-acid)
- 48-cell battery bank (trickle charge mode)
- Radio receiver A battery packs (1920s–1930s tube radios)
- Early automotive electrical systems requiring DC charging
Replaces / Drop-In Replacement For
This unit is a vintage model not designed as a direct replacement for modern chargers. However, it duplicates the functionality of other early GE Tungar charger models in the 277000-series lineup. For specific replacement compatibility with other catalog numbers, consult your system integrator or vintage radio restoration specialist.
Works With
- Tungar bulb model 277469 (factory-specified rectifier tube)
- Standard 115V AC 60-cycle residential or light commercial power
- Lead-acid storage batteries 2V, 4V, 6V nominal
- Period-correct radio equipment from 1920–1940 era
