What is this?

[davidwigler]

Magnetek Jefferson Luminous Tube Transformer.

It's plugged in to a 120 volt outlet in my generator room and two output wires appear to go into the engine rooms.

[SKYCHENEY]

Hmmmm........the output is 12000v. What do the wires go to? Can you follow them?

Just a guess:
Got any Neon lights?

[davidwigler]

Wow, Sky. Good guess. There are dimmer-controlled neon tubes behind the valences in the salon and aftdeck. Now we found the power supply. Thanks.

[krush]

It's the security system. Sounds like it's wired wrong.

[REBrueckner]

Sky GREAT guess!!!

12,000 volts is NOT to be taken lightly...especially in the damp marine environment....use GREAT caution and be sure to disconnect that transformer or shut off power to it if you ever have to work around it, the cables, or the neon lights.

[SKYCHENEY]

Sky GREAT guess!!!

12,000 volts is NOT to be taken lightly...especially in the damp marine environment....use GREAT caution and be sure to disconnect that transformer or shut off power to it if you ever have to work around it, the cables, or the neon lights.

Good point. It looks like there are open terminals on it. You might want to shield those so you don't accidentally come in contact with those. A simple rubber flap would help.

[davidwigler]

Wow, I hadn't though about that 12,000 volts. I've been crawling all over it while checking and watering the batteries. Thanks for the warning. Why in the world would someone install 12,000 volts for lighting? I assume that was not a factory installation.

[davidwigler]

Curiosity got to me and I have confirmed it is the power supply for the neon lights in the salon. Curiously, the neon lights in the aft deck stayed on when I unplugged it, so I guess there must be another one of these somewhere. Strange too, there are two output wires coming out of the unit. Here are pics of the entire unit, uncovered and covered.

[SKYCHENEY]

Oh, I feel better now. I didn't know it was enclosed in a metal box. You're good. No need to worry about those contacts.

[rsmith]

Def a xformer for neon lights but who would use them in a boat? The glass tubes break eazy. You have a bunch of Budwieser signs in the boat? How about a pic of the lights.