What is this used for?

[Rfchil]

A friend of mine at our marina found this on their boat.No one can figure out what it goes to.I have searched the net and cant find anything like it or close to it .We took it apart and the whole black part is a battery with a contact point up in the center of the bottom and has a push button on the end of the handle.It seems to be something you can hand crank or use electric or both. We are stumped ,,has anyone ever seen one or got any ideas ???
Thanks

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Power boat or sail boat?

 

[Rfchil]

It was found on a houseboat.

 

[JaCrispy]

Any numbers on it? What's that sticker say?

 

[DeepCMark58A]

It looks like the bottom (plastic part) slides into a receiver of some kind. What is the mooring system like on the houseboat?

 

[roffey]

It looks like the bottom (plastic part) slides into a receiver of some kind. What is the mooring system like on the houseboat?

wonder if its a generator of some kind or part of it. The crank maybe?

 

[Rfchil]

The only number is a 2 as seen on th

 

[Rfchil]

The only number is a 2 as seen on the first pic,,,it does not have a mooring system just basic anchor.

 

[JaCrispy]

The only number is a 2 as seen on the first pic,,,it does not have a mooring system just basic anchor.

No numbers cast/etched into any of the parts? Any numbers on the batteries?

 

[Scott Danforth]

just my thoughts:

one, its a crank style generator to power nav lights or a radio. does the handle portion spin separate from the black battery pack?

two, its a windlass handle of some sort, may fit into a receptacle on a windlass.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Assuming the batteries are not completely dead, can you sample their output voltage? Could be a clue.

Quite the mystery

 

[Rfchil]

The battery is dead.It is not a hand crank generator.The handle does not spin.It seems it would be inserted into something and then crank it or push the button to apply electric from the battery pack.Totally stumped !!!

 

[Rfchil]

I don't think it would have sufficient power to operate a windlass or capstan,but not really sure ???

 

[JaCrispy]

Yeah, I don't think it's supposed to be cranked. I was thinking maybe an underwater flashlight or something.....part to a metal detector?

 

[gm280]

You stated that the entire black section was a battery. Can you open it up and take some pictures and post them? How many batteries are in the black section and what type if you can tell? I have to keep watching this now to find out what it actual is. :noidea:

Were there any alien sighting reports in that area recently? :facepalm:

 

[H20Rat]

Is the push button mometary or does it seem to click on/off?

I don't think the crank is to actually crank something, at least not for anything that uses a lot of torque. The plastic seems weak and the short lever arm of the crank would be an issue. I'm thinking it is part of a spotlight and is used for aiming.

Also, looking at the pics again, that looks government issue. Looks like it was pulled off the bridge of an old Navy ship. How about a crank or battery powered horn?

Something like this, except with a battery pack.

 

[roffey]

You stated that the entire black section was a battery. Can you open it up and take some pictures and post them? How many batteries are in the black section and what type if you can tell? I have to keep watching this now to find out what it actual is. :noidea:

Were there any alien sighting reports in that area recently? :facepalm:

got it,,, its a flux capacitor. He does not have a house boat, its a time machine.....

 

[Philster]

It definitely plugs into something, and with that power it could be a pretty good light or a small motor that it could power.

It's likely NiCad and totals 7.2 volts of power -- a very common voltage to power a number of small electric motors.

6 x 1.2v = 7.2v

 

[Rfchil]

will post more pics tomorrow of this thing,,,Thanks for everyone's input !

 

[Philster]

My guess is officially that it is used for signaling, and you press the button to move the shutter in the light/lamp. The lamp has power, much more than the device pictured could offer, but by plugging that into the light/signal device, it has plenty of direct/fast power to move a shutter. It cannot work a motor larger than a remote control toy and it has enough juice to power a good flashlight, but it's not a flashlight. Power some sort of signaling device and works the shutter.