11 Set stuff

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by things_green

'portable' charging switchboard. For charging 3 batteries at once...use the rheostats to tune the voltages. I have a 4Kv Coventry Climax genset I'm hoping to use it with. someday ;-)

It was pretty careworn when it arrived.....
I sourced to correct volt meter from my spares (after looking around the planet for 12 months ~doh~). Still requires a 3rd cut-out relay.

Hi Brent,

The front panel will be made of one of the "Tufnol" varieties, and is basically Synthetic Resin Bonded Paper or Fabric. The resin is phenol/formaldehyde and is a thermosetting plastic that is cured by heating with the material in a press. (Basically it's Bakelite with paper or fabric reinforcement and is a good insulator and very strong (in the thickness used for that panel).)

That charging switchboard is meant for a 550 Watt generating set, so your 4KVA one may well cause the magic smoke to escape. They operate by using one of the rheostats to control the generator field current and hence the output voltage produced, and the other three to set the charging current for each of the output circuits - so you can charge different types of batteries simultaneously provided each circuit has the same total voltage rating and all the batteries in a circuit have the same amp hour capacity.

You could ignore the voltage control rheostat and use it with a suitably chunky variable DC supply, say 18 volts at up to 30 amps for charging 12V signals (or other) batteries.

Do you know which accumulator cut-out you are missing? I picked up a couple at a radio rally recently, and while they are fairly heavy, surface mail should not be too expensive, even to the other side of the planet.

Chris.

[things_green]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

Hi Brent,

Do you know which accumulator cut-out you are missing? I picked up a couple at a radio rally recently, and while they are fairly heavy, surface mail should not be too expensive, even to the other side of the planet.

Chris.

Firstly a thankyou to the Moderators for letting this intrusion to 'No11 Sets' get in the way.

Hi Chris, as always the breadth of your knowledge is astounding.

As I haven't found any docs in the Gnome Archive I'm guessing the missing do-dad is an overcurrent relay/cutoff?

seems logical that its the same as the other two. Z.A.2413.
I am planning on multiple feeds from the Climax genny.... just enough to astound the punters at shows.

cheers.
Brent

back to No. 11 Sets.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by things_green

I'm guessing the missing do-dad is an overcurrent relay/cutoff?

seems logical that its the same as the other two. Z.A.2413.

Hmmm... the two I have also say CAT. No. Z.A.2413 on them, but it's possible that's only the cover because the base of the unit has CUT OUT AUTO No. 6
on the edge of the base next to the cable entry, and CAT No. Z.B.2478 on the opposite end.

I don't think they're an overcurrent relay, more likely the reverse, where they will disconnect the battery from the supply once the charging current falls to a low enough level.

The two tubes lining up with the holes in the cover appear to be for an operator's lamp.

I managed to get the back off one unit, and there's a flat coil (possibly a heating element to protect against frost) inside.

Anyway, they weigh around 590g (or 1lb 4.5 oz for this Imperialist), and I can probably mail you one (or both) if they're suitable and you can't get one locally.

Chris.

[things_green]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

Hmmm... the two I have also say CAT. No. Z.A.2413 on them, but it's possible that's only the cover because the base of the unit has CUT OUT AUTO No. 6
on the edge of the base next to the cable entry, and CAT No. Z.B.2478 on the opposite end.
Chris.

I removed the centre cut-out today Chris, sounds similar but, unfortunately, no cigar....same element in the base with a mica cover but marked ;
"CUT OUT AUTO No. 7"
"CAT No. ZA 2412"
same for the bottom unit.

I guess its quite possible the top unit was in fact a No. 6, but its speculation and fervent hope
An upgrade unit perhaps?

and yes....the tubes, which I assumed (that mother again) was some sort of vent, is wired!

cheers,
Brent

[cletrac (RIP)]

I thought I should add this connector info to the 11 set thread. The 4 prong plug is the same as the telephone set D uses.
The connectors are simple enough: No.9 plug for the headset, No.10 plug for the microphone, and what I assume is a WW2 vintage banana plug for the morse key (sharing the earth connection with the headset and microphone).
edit: the numbers on the cardboard are the wire lengths.

[Bruce MacMillan]

Originally Posted by cletrac

what I assume is a WW2 vintage banana plug for the morse key (sharing the earth connection with the headset and microphone).

If the cable assy is made in the UK there's a good chance this plug is called a "wander" plug. It looks like a banana plug but has different pin diameter. A banana plug will not fit in the mating socket.

The MCR1 SOE receiver uses these and it frustrated me to no end trying to find some. Finally got lucky at a radio rally.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by things_green

I removed the centre cut-out today Chris, sounds similar but, unfortunately, no cigar....same element in the base with a mica cover but marked ;
"CUT OUT AUTO No. 7"
"CAT No. ZA 2412"
same for the bottom unit.

I guess its quite possible the top unit was in fact a No. 6, but its speculation and fervent hope
An upgrade unit perhaps?

and yes....the tubes, which I assumed (that mother again) was some sort of vent, is wired!

cheers,
Brent

They will be for different charging voltages and currents, I suspect. I have no idea how they work but suspect it's the equivalent of the old vehicle "control box" for regulating the dynamo charging the battery to prevent overcharge.

There's an aircraft one on ebay for 25 GBP or so (which is a silly price) as I think I paid 1 GBP for these. That one (with A.M. stores code) is 24V.

We need a section ZB VAOS from WW2 or thereabouts!

Chris.
(I thought the tubes were vents, too!)

[cletrac (RIP)]

Here's some close-ups of the banana plug. It has KEY in white lettering stamped into it and on the opposite side it has No11 stamped into it but not painted. The pin will be the same diameter as the regular Morse key plug.

[Chris Suslowicz]

OK, now I know what to look for I'll keep my eyes peeled for those at the next couple of rallies. (Vintage Communications Fair and the Luton Rally, both in May.)

I've turned up a couple of Plugs No.406 if you need one of those, and have spare No.9 and No.10 plugs as well. The No.11 seems to be a rather harder target.

Chris.