Wheres Homer Simpson...inanimate carbon rod?

[romeo-1]

Where's Homer Simpson...inanimate carbon rod?

Found these this evening in a farmer's field...they are very light weight...what are they used for?

 

[traderoftreasures]

Re: Where's Homer Simpson...inanimate carbon rod?

maybe lining up p.t.o. gears

 

[Mich. Wolverine]

Re: Where's Homer Simpson...inanimate carbon rod?

They are graphite and were used in early batteries. They sure give a good signal with the metal detector.

Wolverine.

 

[Mr Tuff]

Re: Where's Homer Simpson...inanimate carbon rod?

look like some sorta polishing stone for a xtralarge tumbler.. MR TUFF

 

[steelheadwill]

Re: Where's Homer Simpson...inanimate carbon rod?

Also think battery part, early batteries, (actually 'cells' unless multiple units in one pack), why a 9v is rectangular, it's acually 6 cells packed in there) were carbon/zinc/acid, Fun project with the kids, make your own battery with copper & aluminum (or other dissimilar elements) see this page ; http://www.ehow.com/how_4865930_build-homemade-battery.html
Good day, Herbie

 

[romeo-1]

Re: Where's Homer Simpson...inanimate carbon rod?

Battery rods sound good to me...Green Check!

 

[nhagan]

Re: Where's Homer Simpson...inanimate carbon rod?

shoot i was going to guess the first toilet paper holder from an old out-house
looks like the kind that you can squeeze together with a spring in the middle haha.

this is what i find so interesting about this hobby is the randomness of just what is dug.
great find!

neil

 

[montepollock]

Re: Where's Homer Simpson...inanimate carbon rod?

Seems a little large to be a dry cell battery anode,The splines do remind me of a clutch plate alignment tool.
Another thing that comes to mind is a set of takedown boat oars.
Beyond that....
HH,Mont

 

[littleneckhalfshell]

Re: Where's Homer Simpson...inanimate carbon rod?

they ARE carbon core rods for dry cell batteries. The one with the ridges is just a variation to give more surface area for the chemical reaction. As to the question of size, don't be thinking on the line of AA C or D cells, though they too have a carbon core, but it is more the size of a ciggarette, these are LARGE dry cells, think along the line of 6 volt lantern battery, only they were only 1.5 volts, on some of the carbon rods you may be able to see the remains of the brass threaded rod that was one of the connection points for battery. I have found them 'glued' together with tar to make up bigger cells with higher voltage. From what I am told they were likely used to power early radio sets.