I recently picked up a type K Lionel transformer. This is with a slate top and cast iron case, which I had been looking for. The books say it was made between 1913 to 1917. I got it just to have, but then though maybe I would see if it worked. I checked continuity between the plug prongs. There was none, which is not good news. I took the four cover screws out and found it was no easier to work on than some of the later post war transformers. Then I removed the four screws that held the coils to the base to give me a little more room to work.
First thing I noticed was the extensive use of asbestos, which was not a surprise. The problem was that the cord had frayed where it came through the top. Someone had opened up the top and pulled a little more cord inside the case, putting in another knot to keep the extra cord inside the box. This kept the frayed spot inside the box, which I guess was a good idea. Eventually one conductor broke at the frayed point and that was the end of it.
I will shorten the cord about six inches and reconnect it. The hardest part of all this is trying to clean the stranded cord conductors so they will take solder. Everything else looks good. It was a well built piece of equipment requiring a lot of hand work to assemble.
