19 Set Control Unit Batteries

[David Dunlop]

To follow through with Rob’s comments a bit, I have a pair of these dated 04/77 and 02/78 made by Union Carbide in Toronto. Plain beige cardboard with black printing, identified as “CF BATTERY BA-300/U”. I have never seen any dated beyond the 1980’s.

Wartime production batteries I used to have were made by WILLARD BATTERY. Identical in construction but in olive green waxed cardboard with black trim and printing. A very ornate design compared to the bare bones look of the postwar product.

The brass terminal assemblies are still available and beige Manila cardboard is very close to the look of the postwar product. It would not be difficult to dummy working D Cell driven replicas.

David

[James D Teel II]

All,

Thanks for your help. It should be a fairly easy thing to fabricate batteries since the dimensions are known. I found this fellow during a web search. He seems to be knowledgeable on batteries. I’ve emailed him and hope to hear from him soon.
https://www.radiolaguy.com/Batteries..._Batteries.htm

[Chris Suslowicz]

Defence Standards specification for the postwar version (includes engineering drawings, etc.).

Chris.

[James D Teel II]

That’s a great resource. Thank you, Chris.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Members of a nervous disposition may wish to sit down now, and have the brandy and oxygen mask (or smelling salts handy).

It appears that the humble 'X' cell lives on (or, at least is not quite extinct).

(FX: Drum Roll)

[David Dunlop]

Well I couldn’t stand it Chris. I emailed the company to see what I can find out about commercial availability of that battery.

I will post what I find out.

David

[Grant Bowker]

Since I don't plan to make a working radio setup, reasonable visual facsimile batteries would fill my needs. In fact, they might better represent period equipment than a modern functional battery.
My thought is a block of wood wrapped in suitable printed card stock with terminals out the top. This is based on what I can see in the photo of the initial post. One advantage to the visual replica is that it can't ever go flat and leak as "dry" cells have been known to do.

I was about to post asking if anyone has photos of original batteries to share to help with the markings on the side (top is shown in the photo and there's some guidance for the side in the PDF Chris provided), then I remembered a basic rule - search before asking to avoid looking stupid/lazy (or at least any more silly than necessary). Found photos (from an ebay listing out of London UK https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Crompton-Par...item2f3da67425 ), but not much more. More photos will be gladly accepted.....

[James D Teel II]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

Members of a nervous disposition may wish to sit down now, and have the brandy and oxygen mask (or smelling salts handy).

It appears that the humble 'X' cell lives on (or, at least is not quite extinct).

(FX: Drum Roll)

I’ve just received word that MOD has now completely made this battery obsolete. It looks like we’re now going to have to make our own, as some have already done.

[Colin Alford]

Gents,

I just stumbled across this eBay listing for replica X cells:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115142074...=&toolid=10050