Up for auction is a Solar Model 1012-B acetylene generator manufactured between roughly 1910 and 1916 by the Badger Brass Company out of Kenosha, Wisconsin , commonly used on early 20th-century automobiles and carriages to power carbide headlights. The bold embossed "SOLAR" name was the primary trademark used by Badger Brass for their extensive line of high-quality carbide vehicle lighting systems. MISSING is the wire or perforated metal basket inside the carbide chamber.

Key Features Material: Polished brass cylindrical body with dual side-mounted locking latches.

Function: Mixed calcium carbide and water to produce acetylene gas for vehicle lighting before electric headlights became standard.

Mounting: Includes integrated side brackets designed to attach directly to the running board or body of a vintage car.

Pictures posted show the small dings. There does not appear to be any cracks.

One of the pictures shows the unit split into its two main functional sections, separating the upper water reservoir from the lower carbide chamber.

Internal Component Analysis

Upper Section (Picture on Right): This is the underside of the upper tank assembly. The small tube protruding downward is the drip tube / needle valve assembly. A control mechanism on the outside allowed the driver to regulate how quickly water dripped from this tube onto the calcium carbide below, controlling the gas output.

Lower Section (Picture on Left): This empty cylinder is the carbide chamber. Originally, a removable wire or perforated metal basket containing calcium carbide chunks would sit inside this space to receive the water droplets. MISSING is the metal basket.

White Residue: The greyish-white powdery coating covering the interior surfaces is oxidized calcium hydroxide (lime), which is the leftover byproduct of the chemical reaction between water and calcium carbide.

This item was in one of my dad’s collections. This information was produced by Google lens. It was very interesting reading about this item. If there is an error in the description please let me know and I’ll be happy to correct. Please look at all pictures closely. I will be happy to provide more pictures as needed. Unfortunately, I am not knowledgeable about this item and am trying to find homes for my dad’s collectibles with people with his same passion. Not tested and not cleaned. Cheers