ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Photos for General Discussion Smith coin meter (UK)

I've had some Irish and English freinds tell me many stories of how to thwart these. Many of youthfull poverty trying to keep the lights on.... Apparently you could jamb all kinds of things in them and it would work - American quarters and other low value foriegn coinage, 1/2" KO slugs, etc. And with a dozen or so kids living in a flat - nobody would fess up after the collector came by, and it would get greased and wouldn't take anything else but real money... I have also heard you could coat a coin in epoxy, and if it stuck in the right place your could crank the knob at will from then on. Other elements of meter theft I have heard about is that sometimes these things would go missing entirely.

Thanks Paul
Never heard of that type of thing in the states

I remember a sentence from a UK book or movie about someone "putting a penny on the gas fire" or something like that. Back then it really surprised me. Now I know better...

Don't forget Mr Bean ! (Rowan Atkinson)
When the TV stops after he fixed the areal the coin meter switches the power off

In the Titirangi community hall, there is still a 1 phase 60 Amp Sangamo coin meter in use.

There were also some camping grounds in NZ where these coin meters are still in use.

Although they may become obsolete by now because the 10, 20 and 50 Cts NZ coins have just been changed in size to make them more manageable. (around October 2006)

Hello all.
This is my first post on this forum, so I'm not fully aware of the etiquette.

You can still buy these prepay coin meters in the UK, although they now take £1 coins.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/RDSLOTslash1.html

If this is classed as advertisment then please remove it.

Regards, Rob

I've got 3 or 4 kicking about in my workshop if anybody wants them, postage would be a bit hefty though. Whilst having a bit of a clearout I found a load of old stuff including a 'brand new MK Surface Ivory Cooker unit complete with 15 3 pin round socket and onboard external fuse' This item must date from the early sixties as I can just about remember Ivory accessories being phased out when I was about 10 years of age! Electrical Contracting is 'in the blood' as you can tell. When I get around to it I will post some pics along with some exhibits from our private 'black museum of contracting' if anybody is interested,that is?

Welcome to the forum Rob. Links like yours which are relevant to the topic are fine.

Yep, especially overseas. I weighed up this meter and even via ParcelForce "International Economy" it came to almost $100 to send to the States!


We're always interested in stuff like that here! If you have a browse through the Electrical Nostalgia area you'll find pictures of all manner of old fittings.

Is it one of these?




( from same place as https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum17/HTML/000210.html )

A good rub down with a wire brush and a coat of Hammerite paint; good as new!!