002.210.Idrija

Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija

510:IDR;RZ-430

Mine

The battery cave lamp is composed of housing – battery, electric current conductor and a lamp. Housing – the battery is protected with artificial mass. On the top side of the housing – the battery there is a cover, which is opened before loading. The electrical current conductor runs out of the battery, at the end of which is a round lamp, which two light bulbs. This lamp is equipped with a hanger, so that it can be attached on the front part of the protective helmet. The number 279 is on the cover of the battery, which represents the miner's registration number.

Housing: length 14 cm, width 4.8 cm, height 21 cm; Electrical Cord: length 125 cm.

Plastic, rubber, glass, lead, steel, aluminum, copper and acid inside the battery.

1968

Varnost, Zagorje ob Savi

In the 1960s, they gradually started using battery lamps for lighting the sites in the pit of the Idrija Mine. Miners wore the battery lamp around their waist on the hip or on the back, using a steel loop and a leather belt. The miners attached the lamp to the protective helmet before their shift and took it off at the end of the shift. Batteries were charged every day at a battery station – lamp house (Joseph's and Francis’ shaft) after the end of the shift. This was taken care off by a specially trained worker, who performed the loading, measurements and repairs. These types of batteries were lead, sulfuric acid diluted with water was used as an electrolyte. They were replaced by nickel-cadmium batteries, which use diluted potassium lye as the electrolyte.

The battery cave lamp is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the mine collection of the Idrija Municipal Museum. It is stored in the depot. It can be used for temporary museum exhibitions or for other types of mercury heritage promotions.

Idrija Mercury Mine (working equipment of a miner); Francis' shaft lamp house

Idrija Municipal Museum, depot Prelovčeva 2.

The battery cave lamp is fully preserved with all original parts, only one steel loop is missing. A preventive conservation procedure was carried out. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premise is ensured.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- Inventory Book of the Idrija Municipal Museum.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

6. 3. 2018

Never