Old obsolete batteries and a solution!

[@FenderTele]

I had a similar situation with my late grandfathers Hacker Sovereign which I had serviced. The PP 9s were replaced with modern AA adapters but didn't look right,I had 2 original P P 9s that I took the cells out of and put the adapters in. Not only did it hold the packs in place it also looked period correct.My grandfather always scratched the date on the batteries when they were changed .It's now running with "PP9's"scratched with the date 9/12 / 69 a nice link back to my Grandfather.

[@Radiocruncher]

Hi Alan. Yes they do look nice with the correct period battery. Nice bit of history relating to your Grandfather

[@nor4277]

Those are the nicest portables i have ever seen ,you do such great work ,

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks very much Ron

[@dbrown51967]

hi graham, you have an excellent solution. first time i have seen a 3d printer in action what a marvellous bit of kit i didn't realise how capable these machines are.

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Darren. I am finding it extremely useful. I am currently printing knobs for Hacker radios that are proving popular. Thanks for watching. Graham. P.S will be doing a video soon on the radios I had from you

[@ianhand5006]

Great application for your 3D printer! I service high end 3D printers for a living.

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Ian. Mines packed up yet again. Blocked nozzle I think

[@SeekingTheLoveThatGodMeans7648]

With modern battery chemistry it should be very easy to make an adapter because the internal cells can be far smaller than they once were and still keep up.

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks. Yes there are now lots of alternatives which is great as the batteries are becoming much harder to source

[@tonyjones9442]

With normal zinc batteries, apparently you can recharge them, but very slowly. Maplin used to sell chargers to charge normal batteries about 25 years ago. You could recharging a pp7 using a bespoke charging circuit?? I recently bought a USSR Selina radio. Excellent sound on it, and it has a turret tuner apparently. Thank you for your video.

[@Radiocruncher]

Hi Tony. I’ve never tried charging zinc batteries. I will have to look and see what circuits are available. The Selena Vega is a very good radio and performs very well on AM. Thanks for watching

[@emitt1]

Well done. I'm slowly working my way thru all your videos. Hours of pleasure. Thanks.

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Stephen glad you’re enjoying them

[@a.wilson4380]

@Radiocruncher: Energizer do PP3's in lithium but only have about 750mah so not much more then alkaline but unfortunately at £8-10 per battery wouldn't be viable. Energizer AA lithium are rated at 2900mah so 6 of them in series at 1.5v would give you a 9v option with decent current capacity or 2x 4.5v 3LR12 lantern batteries in series at around 4500-5500mah but don't think there would be space within the radio for those type.

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks for the info. Lithium batteries are expensive. I don’t tend to run these radios for that long but the AA lithium sounds like the best bet

[@a.wilson4380]

@Radiocruncher, an excellent video, however pp3 9v batteries only have a 500-550mah capacity so you've created a battery of around 1500mah with 3x pp3's in parallel. If the 3d printed case had the space, you could build a 9v pp7 sized battery using 3v CR123A lithium batteries. A total of 9. Place the CR123A's in 3x sets of 3 in series making 9v then connect the 3x sets of 3 in parallel giving you a high capacity 9v battery of 3900mah - 4500mah. A CR123A 3v battery is rated at around 1300-1500mah. The original pp7 ranged from 2500-2700mah so you could potentially make a higher capacity lithium alternative. The smaller CR2's range from 700-850mah in capacity. Originally designed for cameras those CR2's and CR123A's became commonplace in wireless burglar alarm sensors and torches. In their early days back in the 1990s a single battery could be £7+ and that was over 20 years ago. Their far cheaper now and more readily available.

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks very much for all the info. I like the idea of the CR123A’s. At the time I went with the PP3 as it was cheap and readily available. I might see what would be involved redesigning the box

[@a.wilson4380]

@@Radiocruncher CR123A's and CR2's are my all time favourite batteries to work with in my electronics projects. I generally use 3 of them instead of a pp3 where 9v is required. I often need 12v with low current so I use 4 of them. I'd definitely consider getting a boxful of CR123A's and experiment 😁

[@Ignore_This_Account.]

A company called exell makes many types of obsolete batteries including pp7 batteries, I used them for my sound meter that uses an obsolete 30 volt EVEREADY no 413 NEDA 210 battery, EVEREADY didn't make them anymore but exell did.

[@Radiocruncher]

I have seen some batteries from excel. I’m not sure how easy they are to obtain in the UK though. Thanks for watching

[@hds0405]

Brilliant! Loved the video and your creativity. Thank you

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks. Glad you liked the video

[@davidsanderson625]

Wilko still sell PP9 batteries for around £4. Poundland often have PP3 batteries for - you guessed it - £1.

[@Radiocruncher]

Hi David. I buy the majority of my PP9’s from Wilko. I’m not sure how much longer they will continue to make them. I don’t believe they can get then in the USA. Thanks for watching

[@Wenlocktvdx]

I remember those batteries but those types all disappeared in Australia in the 70s so they're al long gone down here. Ever Ready in Australia used different designations to the UK, so a PP3 is a 913 here.

[@Radiocruncher]

I did hear that they were non existent in Australia. I wonder if there are any radios about that still need them. We can get PP7's still but look like re-manufactured ones and they are a hell of a price. PP9's are still readily available but stockists are getting less so we will eventually lose them as well. Thanks for watching. Graham

[@Wenlocktvdx]

I do have an HMV Capri which took a 2362 which is a long narrow shape with a connector at each end similar to the PP9. It had a 8-3/PP3 clip already installed when I got it back in 1980. I believe the PP9 was a 266 in Australia. I haven't seen any Roberts or Hacker radios here although I have a Sangean DPR-34 which is the same as a Roberts Sports 2. Been enjoying the videos immensely. Marvellous! Wenlock. Almost forgot, my pride and joy is a Yaesu FRG7 which turned up at a garage sale for $50 (£25). After cleaning the band and mode switches, removing some dry leaves from the I.F. panel it works well. Cheers

[@Radiocruncher]

There are some strange old vintage batteries around. I think we had a PP4 that had connectors both ends. The FRG7 was a great find especially if it's working. I haven't had one of those yet to play with. Glad you like the videos and thanks for the comments. Graham

[@davidk6271]

They look great. I dont mind just the white look.

[@Radiocruncher]

They have proved very popular. I haven't had a request for a white one yet though. Thanks for watching

[@VintageElectronicsGeek]

That is a very cool idea, I was also thinking maybe you should selling them on eBay as well! As for the labels are concern, I'd stamp at least one side with your name and website, this way you get your advertising out to friends of folks who have bought them and may not watch your channel...also a good way for customers to become repeat customers down the road as they may have forgot where they bought them! Good luck on your future endeavors! The blue radio was a nice looking radio! ~Jack, VEG

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Jack. I will definitely have to get my info on there somewhere. I won't be able to sell them with manufacturers logos on them so I will probably sell them as blanks for people to print what ever they want and stick on. I may try eBay but bear in mind that each one takes 11hrs to print!. The blue Cossor is a nice radio and goes with the decor in the spare bedroom where it lives. Thanks for the kind comment. Graham

[@mohinderkaur6671]

LIPO Lithium battery packs is not a bad alternative. All 9v radios should work fine at 8.4v - 7.2v from a lithium polymer battery and it can be recharged. If you dont want to build using the packs from ebay, a pp3 Lipo battery is available too

[@Radiocruncher]

Hi Mohider and thanks for the info. I hadn’t considered LIPO batteries although I have got ideas to build some rechargeable packs in the future. I will look up the PP3 LIPO

[@nor4277]

Tried getting batteries for my 1950 tube portables ,I seen a couple of places where I can buy a faux battery it looks like the old one ,except you can put in seven 9 volts ,it cost as much as my radio for those adapter batteries.

[@Radiocruncher]

Yes they can be expensive especially if they are single use. My adapters allow you to fit standard PP3's or AA's

[@keithg1xfl]

Hi Graham, Love the Video's, you were talking about scanning the Artwork, I cant find it at the Moment, but there is a website with the Artwork for quite a few Ever Ready Batteries, if I can find it again, i'll send you the Link

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Keith. It’s the Royal Signals site that has them www.royalsignals.org.uk/batteries/

[@andrewgriffiths7028]

PP9's are not obsolete. Seen them in quite a few stores, including Wilco, Halfords and a few independent shops. Also readily available on line.

[@Radiocruncher]

Yes that’s correct although they are hard to obtain in some countries. Thanks for watching

[@hymatwat9412]

One pp9 used to last about 6 months in my fidelity transistor radio when I was teenager

[@keatonspence9306]

36v? maybe UK standard? most radios here in America require 90 volts achieved by 7x9 volts and 2x D cell batteries i believe.

[@Radiocruncher]

yes that’s pretty much the same here

[@ronalddaub5049]

9volts in series for b batts. Because my tube radios that are portable require sixty 5 volts

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

That ECKO radio might have been made in the Larne Factory.

[@PhaQ2]

You could go one step further and use 2 Lithium ion batteries in series to get 9 volts. Then you could have rechargeable batteries for these units with much higher capacity.

[@Radiocruncher]

I have looked at making these rechargeable but I thought it would be more user friendly to use readily available disposable batteries. What lithium batteries do you mean as I can’t find any 4.5v ones. Regards Graham

[@PhaQ2]

Radiocruncher Granted, there are no such lithium batteries that reach 4.5 volts. But I have used lithium batteries to power 9 volt radios before. 8.4 volts is still within tolerance levels and most 9 volt radios will operate down to 7.2 volts. Which is the nominal charge for a pair of lithium batteries in series.

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks for confirming that. The PP9 battery that I have made will take an 8 AA cell holder and you could blank one off so it takes 7 x 1.2v rechargeable batteries

[@jeffsmith50001]

Hi Graham, Im looking for a B 114 battery for a lovely Eveready Personal Mod B. Or any ideas more to the point. Cheers. Jeff. Its a 67-70v and 1.5v. 4 pin (for now).

[@Radiocruncher]

You will need to pick up a battery eliminator or build one up using PP3’s Jeff. This might do it for you www.6v6.co.uk/power-supplies/90-volt-battery-eliminator.html

[@YouAllKnowBob]

Great idea! And saleable!

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Robert. I've just finished printing a black one in ABS which has turned out really well. Thanks for watching, Graham

[@petchharrison]

well done mate maybe you will make 90 volt ones you will sell those for sure jeff .. m0prf ..

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Jeff. I will definitely have a go at a 90v one. A lot of people have made them up with cardboard and the seem to work fine so plastic should be much more durable. Thanks for watching. Graham

[@matthewblalock4916]

Great video!

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Matthew

[@Kennynva]

HI...what are you using for the replacement of the AF117....Im in the states...so which part would work for me...thanks...and very nice radios and video's...

[@Radiocruncher]

The best replacement as it's electrically identical is the AF127. The Russian GT322B also works well. There are various other transistors that will work. If you join this forum www.vintage-radio.net/forum/ and search you will find some great suggestions. Thanks for watching, Graham

[@Kennynva]

I went to that site...and there is alot of help there BUT...trying to figure out the different ways that things are explained was difficult..dont get me wrong I love the way of the UK, as far as the language...

[@Radiocruncher]

Yes it can get a bit to in depth. I found this which might be easier for you to obtain www.weisd.com/Mobile/MobTop.php?PN=AF117

[@georgetustin2231]

you r good .george from st martins in shropshire

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks George. All the best Graham

[@anandarochisha]

That is the second ugliest pop rivet gun i have ever seen. New subscriber sent over on Manuel's refer. You are clearly a serious asset to the KZbin radiodweeb community.

[@Radiocruncher]

Hi Dan and thanks for the sub. Nice of Manuel to recommend my channel. That pop rivet gun is a dog and could do with replacing but it works well still! Thanks for you kind comment

[@Hotshotter3000]

Do you have a recreation of the 90v battery? That is one hell of a charge!

[@Radiocruncher]

They can be made up with 10x PP3 batteries in series. There is a template online to print the box so should be easy enough. I haven’t made one yet though but I ought to try. Thanks for watching

[@Hotshotter3000]

@@Radiocruncher I figured they'd use 9v batteries for that. I saw the interior of an original and it certainly looked like a whole bunch of 9v interiors all stacked on top of one another. I thought of giving it a go, but one thing I learned from experimenting with 9v batteries (or PP3s in the UK) is that I find they are the most finicky kind of battery. Other battery types like AA, AAA, C, and D cell will still work to power up their respective devices regardless if they are carbon-zinc or alkaline type batteries. But for 9V I find that there is a very, very noticeable difference between carbon-zinc and alkaline. Some amateur devices I tried to power with a carbon-zinc 9v Did exactly nothing while an alkaline worked to good effect. The only issue I would find with the 90v battery is that the connection at the top looks like a wall socket. It is a trivial task to solder (or just connect wires and secure them with electrical tape) to generate 90v, but having the final connect resemble that seems to be a challenge.

[@TonyLing]

I presume the two 9 Volters in the Hacker were in series like the Dynatrons

[@Radiocruncher]

Yes it’s an 18v radio

[@TonyLing]

@@Radiocruncher I got a TP36 yesterday, applied 18V from the bench supply and suddenly it shot up to 1A and let all of the magic smoke out. Oh dear.

[@Ignore_This_Account.]

Do those pp7 batteries still work

[@Radiocruncher]

Hi. Yes they still work

[@SpectreOZ]

Clever solution you definitely have yourself a niche marketable item there, those PP3's are only 550mA a piece so as there is sufficient space in the casing dimensions how about AA cells for an increased margin in capacity? Have you considered scanning a suitable logo but altering it with wording of your choice to sufficiently appease the brand logo restrictions?

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Dave. 3x PP3's in parallel should give 1650mAh capacity. I will have to see if it's possible to squeeze 6x AA's in there. The only drawback will be linking them together electrically and making it user friendly so I may have to do a bit of research but thanks for the idea it all helps as this is a bit of a project for me. A customer has suggested designing a logo with my name on so I may give that a go. I see there are others selling repro batteries with cardboard cases and original logos so I don't know how well it's policed. Thanks again for your help. Graham

[@SpectreOZ]

+Radiocruncher Exactly! Radiocruncher instead of Eveready but with the aforementioned logo and label scheme :) I have a PP9 battery adapter for my Grundig and I feed it with used AA cells out of a power hungry Digital camera, waste not want not LOL

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Dave. PP9's are next on the agenda. Should be easier as the AA battery holders fit inside them. I might look at making a rechargeable one! Graham

[@albertdemby1282]

Hi I pick up Robert radio r707 yesterday at my car boot sale which battery model to buy pls Thanks

[@Radiocruncher]

Hi Albert. The R707 uses a 6v lantern battery. PJ996

[@shayne109]

X2 6v lantern pj996 or 4R25

[@autisticrebel1253]

At Home my dad has a Roberts Radio from about 1959 and it takes a PP8 battery, do you know any things that would make a good substitute that are relatively cheap to get? I have Roberts R-800 and it takes PP9 batteries and I can still get them for about £7.00 from Robert Dyas and they last about 2 years which is really good value for money.

[@Radiocruncher]

Hi. PP8 batteries are still available as some electric fences use them. It’s a 6v battery so should be easy enough to make something up using D cells. Alternatively you could use a PJ996 and clip it to the connectors somehow. Wilco is the best place to but PP9’s as they are less than £4. Thanks for watching

[@autisticrebel1253]

@@Radiocruncher Thank you for your reply, One more question. At home we have a Ever Ready Sky Countess form the late 1950s or early 1960s and it takes two batteries, B126 and AD35. Do you know any good alternatives for that? But I have managed to find the valves in Ebay and they cost under £20.00. I have ever ready PP9's for my Roberts R-800 and they are really good, they last about 2 years. They are amazing value for money.

[@Radiocruncher]

The B126 is a 90v battery. There’s no replacement. The only option is to make one up using 10x PP3’s. The AD35 was a 1.5v battery so 2x D cels in parallel could be used. Be careful though because if there are issues with the radio then applying power could ruin your new valves

[@autisticrebel1253]

@@Radiocruncher Am I right in saying that PP3's are the 9 volt batteries?

[@autisticrebel1253]

About the B126 and the AD35, which one is for the radio which one is for the valves? It is nice to know there are ways to keep radios from the 50s working.

[@anthonylawrence60]

could you not just pull the guts from the old battery and use that as the container for the pp3s?

[@Radiocruncher]

I could do Anthony if I wanted the odd couple of batteries for myself. I would need a good supply of dead batteries in order to sell them and the labour to strip them would make it not cost effective. Thanks for watching

[@robertmortimore3024]

Another excellent video ...Can you give me a way to contact you for buying and repairing please...Im in the south west at Tiverton please....

[@Radiocruncher]

Thanks Robert glad you enjoyed the video. You can contact me via email [e-mail] also check out my website radiocruncher.com. Nice to hear from someone local. Regards Graham