The Spitfire had a number of evolutions of the so-called Power Failure Lamp/Light.
It was sometimes called the Generator Failure Light. It was described in the Pilot's Notes as an indicator for when the Generator was not charging the Accumulator (Battery)
The photos I include are from a Mk.V displayed in an episode (Electrical Installations) of the excellent series of YT vids "UKaircraftexplored".
I have never seen the example of the three lights on the front instrument panel, which include the light of subject. The other photo showing a red light on the port-side wall was probaly connected to the Oil Dilution Valve to warn for it being open. This light was reconnected to function as Power Failure Light in later aircraft such as the Mk.IX.
As said above, the general function was to warn for a generator failing and thus battery discharging ….
However I am interested in the exact trigger
for illumination. Did the light come on if the electric users like radios, pitot heat, booster pump etc, exceeded the output of a normally functioning generator at low engine rpm?
Edit: By the way this particular operational Mk.V seems to have a Pre-Oiler installed witnessing the label next to the (originally) Oil Dilution button. So the light next to it is now used for the pre-oiler.
It was sometimes called the Generator Failure Light. It was described in the Pilot's Notes as an indicator for when the Generator was not charging the Accumulator (Battery)
The photos I include are from a Mk.V displayed in an episode (Electrical Installations) of the excellent series of YT vids "UKaircraftexplored".
I have never seen the example of the three lights on the front instrument panel, which include the light of subject. The other photo showing a red light on the port-side wall was probaly connected to the Oil Dilution Valve to warn for it being open. This light was reconnected to function as Power Failure Light in later aircraft such as the Mk.IX.
As said above, the general function was to warn for a generator failing and thus battery discharging ….
However I am interested in the exact trigger
for illumination. Did the light come on if the electric users like radios, pitot heat, booster pump etc, exceeded the output of a normally functioning generator at low engine rpm?
Edit: By the way this particular operational Mk.V seems to have a Pre-Oiler installed witnessing the label next to the (originally) Oil Dilution button. So the light next to it is now used for the pre-oiler.
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