I have a Solari panel in my garage. It came from Victoria and was recovered from the skip when the board was replaced. The motor was completely seized by the time I got it and the 20 years of dust, dirt and pigeon s**t hadn't done it any favours. I removed the motor cleaned it up and was able to turn the gears manually to rotate the flaps. I've just fitted a meccano gear and handle to make it much easier to rotate. I'll post photos if anyone is interested.
Is it a Solari - the original one with 40 flaps - or a Krone with 80 flaps? I have an original 40 flap Solari and a controller to operate it. It was originally installed in my office in Croydon in BR days, the flaps are printed with things like "Coffee", "Do Not Disturb" and the names of my staff at the time. I used it as a bit of fun when wanting to talk to my people and the like. I must get it out of the garage and make it work again, just for fun. Don't think the other half would respond kindly if I installed it above the study door and moved it to Coffee without speaking to her!
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The majority of flap indicators were Solari, Krone started to be popular because they produced an 80 flap - instead of 40 flap - system but Solari then followed suit. There was a third supplier but I'm struggling to remember their name, it was something like Infoteck or Infotron, they supplied the Kings Cross, Hertford Loop Stations and Hounslow Loop Stations. Then there was Liverpool St which at one time had an Omega system before it was replaced by the sideways on system from Krone as part of the Broadgate redevelopment. Birmingham also had a Solari at one time, the only other one like it in the UK was at Glasgow Airport, and I had to go and buy it for BR after it had been replaced as spares, that was an interesting experience!
I could also bore you all with a story about why Liverpool St commuters ended up at the wrong stations because the Russians invaded Afghanistan because it affected the Omega system!
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