What are these boxes in my garage for?

[gfirak]

House was built in 1959. These are located in the garage.

 

[pc1966]

They look like transformers. Do you have any low-voltage lights?

Or do you have any hard-wired 12V charger, etc?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

House was built in 1959. These are located in the garage.

Welcome to the forum. We're a friendly bunch in the UK ?

 

[westward10]

Is there a socket on the side of it.

 

[Megawatt]

House was built in 1959. These are located in the garage.

GFIRAK welcome to the forum and I agree that it looks like an OLD transformer with probably 120vac primary and who knows what the secondary voltage is. It does look like it would be low voltage lie 12vac or 24vac

 

[DPG]

My guess is a step down transformer for a workshop inspection lamp.

 

[telectrix]

or could be an isolation transformer for bench work.

 

[PEG]

....Looks like the source,for the AllSpark....

 

[Zerax]

Or it could be a Cosmic Communicator ? are you anywhere Roswell ?

 

[gfirak]

My guess is a step down transformer for a workshop inspection lamp.

I opened up the top and now I'm more confused, never seen this before, see attached

GFIRAK welcome to the forum and I agree that it looks like an OLD transformer with probably 120vac primary and who knows what the secondary voltage is. It does look like it would be low voltage lie 12vac or 24vac

here are some more photos

 

[pc1966]

That is showing the transformer windings that have been sealed in the tar-like substance, usually to keep moisture out. All of the wires will be on the other side (lower half's box).
[automerge]1587938255[/automerge]
It looks like you can remove the lower cover with just two screws either side of it. But switch off the power and even then treat any cables with great care in case they are live!

 

[Megawatt]

That is showing the transformer windings that have been sealed in the tar-like substance, usually to keep moisture out. All of the wires will be on the other side (lower half's box).
[automerge]1587938255[/automerge]
It looks like you can remove the lower cover with just two screws either side of it. But switch off the power and even then treat any cables with great care in case they are live!

It looks to me like the windings are burnt or fried

 

[pc1966]

The "dripping tar" is going up the way, that must have been the case when it was in another position, probably manufacture. It looks horrible but I have seen sort of transformer sealing this before in some 1950s radios, etc. I suspect in that case it was to dampen vibration noise.

 

[freddo]

Yes I also think it looks bad because of the pitch it was dipped in rather than anything thermal.

 

[gfirak]

That is showing the transformer windings that have been sealed in the tar-like substance, usually to keep moisture out. All of the wires will be on the other side (lower half's box).
[automerge]1587938255[/automerge]
It looks like you can remove the lower cover with just two screws either side of it. But switch off the power and even then treat any cables with great care in case they are live!

The "dripping tar" is going up the way, that must have been the case when it was in another position, probably manufacture. It looks horrible but I have seen sort of transformer sealing this before in some 1950s radios, etc. I suspect in that case it was to dampen vibration noise.

Well this is a 1959 house, and this is all original i suspect.