Wire-3 Fitted For Wireless Box details

[Chris Suslowicz]

Okay, as mentioned earlier, these are some reasonably accurate sizes for the batterias I can find (or have measurements of), for the purpose of deciding what was likely to go in the trays in a wireless truck:

6-volt

16 Amp Hour - I can't find this at present.
40 Amp Hour - 9.5" long, 5.5" wide, 10.5" high. 2-pin Niphan socket to front.
72 Amp Hour - 9.5" long, 7.25" wide, 10.5" high, wing-nut terminals.
85 Amp Hour - 12" long, 7" wide, 9.25" high, 2-pin Niphan socket to one end.
100/125 Amp Hour - 15.5 long, 7.5" wide, 12" high, wing-nut terminals
170 Amp Hour - 15.5" long, 7.5" wide, 13" high, wing-nut terminals

10-volt (Used with early wavemeters and Lamp, Daylight Signalling, Long Range.)

16 Amp Hour - 11.5" long, 5.5" wide, 9.25" high (missing) sockets for 4V and 10V on end.

12-volt

14 Amp Hour - not got, but for WS62 with 2 rubber sockets on front face.
22 Amp Hour - 12.5" long, 5.5" wide, 9.75" high. 2-pin Niphan socket on front.
75 Amp Hour - 15" long, 7.5" wide, 11" high. 2-pin Niphan socket on end.

The 16 AH batteries are made up of individual "Cell, Secondary, Portable, 2V 16AH" connected together with 10 SWG copper wire links. (Not the usual poured lead permanent connections) The 6V unit has a Niphan socket and the much older 'pair of brass socket contacts' in the end wall of the case - that system started in WW1 or before. The 10 volt unit only has the old type sockets, which are unfortunately missing from my box. (Pin diameters and spacings varied to protect equipment from mis-connection to the wrong voltage - unlike the WW2 "one niphan conector fits both 6 and 12V batteries"!)

Chris. (G8KGS)

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

The HUW used two pair of these, and I expect so too did the WIRE-3 and WIRE-5.

100/125 Amp Hour - 15.5 long, 7.5" wide, 12" high, wing-nut terminals

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

The HUW used two pair of these, and I expect so too did the WIRE-3 and WIRE-5.

100/125 Amp Hour - 15.5 long, 7.5" wide, 12" high, wing-nut terminals

That may depend on the radio fit. The WS 11 vehicle had 85 AH accumulators.

WS9 or WS52 may well have used something rather larger (though I have no idea what).

Ah... WftW Volume 2 quotes pairs of 6V 200AH batteries for the WS52 truck and ground station, also two pairs of 6V 170AH batteries for the ASSU Tentacle, and the command vehicles used quads of 170AH batteries in series parallel - 8 batteries per vehicle! (That's getting on for half a ton of batteries, because they're 99lb each unfilled!)

Chris.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

It is not dependent for the HUW. There are purpose built battery trays under the table for this size alone, and the trays can only fit in the established brackets on the floor so any other size would have to be placed with no way to secure them. The HUW was built from 1942 to 45 so the radio options would generally have been the 19 or 19HP (although 9 Mk1 and 29 were also fitted).

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

That may depend on the radio fit. The WS 11 vehicle had 85 AH accumulators.

WS9 or WS52 may well have used something rather larger (though I have no idea what).

Ah... WftW Volume 2 quotes pairs of 6V 200AH batteries for the WS52 truck and ground station, also two pairs of 6V 170AH batteries for the ASSU Tentacle, and the command vehicles used quads of 170AH batteries in series parallel - 8 batteries per vehicle! (That's getting on for half a ton of batteries, because they're 99lb each unfilled!)

Chris.

[Jordan Baker]

I came across these two photos on a Facebook group last night. They are courtesy of Norm Prestage. His late father took them while serving in the Sig det, Highland Bn, 27 Cnd Inf Bde, Hannover in 1952.

Its the first time I have come across actual pictures of the Wire-3 while in use.

[Eric R.]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

I came across these two photos on a Facebook group last night. They are courtesy of Norm Prestage. His late father took them while serving in the Sig det, Highland Bn, 27 Cnd Inf Bde, Hannover in 1952.

Its the first time I have come across actual pictures of the Wire-3 while in use.

I was kind of pleasantly surprised when those pictures showed up over there. It is a shame there isn't more.

[Jordan Baker]

I know. Like inside the back of the truck with the tail gate down and good lighting. I'd probably be able to see the hens teeth from the chicken dinner the crew had the night before too.