Class 20 question

[RandomRailways]

I'm researching some details of Class 20s and can't (yet!) find anyone who knows the answer to one particular question.
To the right of the fire extinguisher pull handle some of the class had a small 3 pin socket, does anyone know what its function is?
Thanks

 

[Ash Bridge]

A random guess, power for an inspection lamp?

 

[trainmania100]

Also a random guess, a jump cable for charging the battery when the alternator is bust?

 

[43096]

Also a random guess, a jump cable for charging the battery when the alternator is bust?

20s don’t have alternators!

 

[D365]

Also a random guess, a jump cable for charging the battery when the alternator is bust?

Class 20s have generators - none were retrofitted with alternators.

Either way, I don't see a battery assist socket on my schematics. So I would be inclined to believe that this is an inspection lamp socket.

 

[Trackman]

Do you know the 20's number?
Never seen this before.

 

[Forty29]

Do you know the 20's number?
Never seen this before.

Looks like 20142

 

[D1511]

Looks like 20142

Or 227.
It looks like an old 13A round pin socket that my gran used to have in her house, but surely it's not to the same voltage and current is it? So you could plug a standard lamp or a gramophone into it?
Inspection lamp seems most plausible.

 

[RandomRailways]

No 20142 Sir John Betjeman

There's a few that have them fitted, I can only see them on later photos, nothing (that I can find, anyway)
20164 /156 / 174 / 219 certainly had them.

There's a couple that seem to have a similar fitting on the other side soleplate, towards the front, but the photos are a bit grainy.

The Breedon No.3 (D8319/20219/20906) has a blanking plate where it used to be - and a blanking plate where the fire extinguisher pull was also.

I assume this was a local/overhaul modification that only happened to a few

 

[billh]

Looks like a low voltage socket for an inspection lamp. "Niphan" brand was a common make. Used on vehicles, boats (and locos!) and should have a screw-on cover when not in use, the corresponding plug is also secured by screwing on for a weatherproof connection. Usually 12,24 or 48volts only.

 

[Deepgreen]

The maroon paint gives it away as 20142. The socket is for a radiogram for maintenance staff...

 

[D365]

Looks like a low voltage socket for an inspection lamp. "Niphan" brand was a common make. Used on vehicles, boats (and locos!) and should have a screw-on cover when not in use, the corresponding plug is also secured by screwing on for a weatherproof connection. Usually 12,24 or 48volts only.

110V DC in this instance. But you raise a goos point; inspection lamp sockets ought to usually be fitted with a sprung cover.

 

[Harpo]

The maroon paint gives it away as 20142. The socket is for a radiogram for maintenance staff...

In the 21st Century? More likely where the DCC chip gets fitted.