19 Set Control Unit Batteries

[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.....

[Grant Bowker]

one more photo found

[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

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Colin Alford

Gents,

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

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

Ah! I bought some of his "800" replica batteries (the 2 x 'F' cell cycle lamp type) used in the Lamp Electric No.1, Lantern, Electric, Traffic, No.2, the "bomb disposal" intercom set, and a few other things. I asked about the possibility of 'X' cells and we had a discussion which ended up in my sending him the Defence Standards specifications for them. I'm sure other 'wrappers' are possible if required, as the body of the unit is 3-D printed with an external label applied.

Best regards,
Chris.

[James D Teel II]

Originally Posted by Colin Alford

Gents,

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

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

That's very nice. Thanks for posting! I just purchased four from him. They're a little on the expensive side for me, but it beats me buying a printer and doing all the other set up myself.