How To: New Wire-5 project

[Chris Suslowicz]

(One practical demonstration of Boob's Law[1] later...)

Switchboard UC 6 line with battery and Box, Accessory, Switchboard UC 6-line containing 7 pulley weights and cords; operator's Telephone, Hand, No.2; Night Bell and connector. Weight 35 lb. 6 oz.

The current for the switchboard is provided by a battery of three cells (Cells, Dry, X, Mk.II; or Cells, Dry, Inert S, Mk.I) contained in a removable box behind the line units in the back of the case, connections being made to the battery box by means of plugs and cords. Terminals are provided on the line terminal panel at the back of the switchboard for the connection of an external battery if desired.

(Pulley weights are apparently optional for the 6-line version.)

The battery box has sockets on the end to take the two plugs from the switchboard.

Best regards,
Chris.

[1] You always find something the last place you look - I think I found manuals for everything between the pre-WW2 "Mark 236" and the postwar 40/160 Line Exchange before the Switchboards UC 10-line and 6-line pamphlet turned up!

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you very much Chris ! 4.5 Volts then . The field phones run on the same voltage i assume ? Boob’s law ?

[Chris Suslowicz]

Hi Robert,

Boob's Law - see footnote [1] on my previous post.

Field Telephones for WW2 Commonwealth forces would be the D Mk.V for front line forces, Telephone Set 'L' for Linemen, and Telephone Set 'F' for higher formations (basically an office telephone for people with desks). All of those ran on 3 volts from a pair of 'X' or 'S' cells. Switchboards for higher formations would be the Switchboard F&F (Field & Fixed)which could support 20 to 60 lines and could operate with three switchboards in parallel as a combined unit.

Switchboard UC "Universal Call" supported buzzer and magneto signalling.
Switchboard F&F is magneto only.

Telephone set D Mk.V was buzzer call but buzzer or magneto ring
Telephone set 'F' was originally buzzer and magneto signalling but the buzzer was replaced by an induction coil (microphone transformer) later on (for better audio quality) and became magneto only.
Telephone set L was magneto signalling (only).
(There may have been some earlier (Post Office 110) telephones still used by linemen, but the 'L' was rather better.)

(Plus the various Remote Control Units (Canadian) and the British 'E' could connect to switchboards as magneto telephones, of course.)

All the manuals are available from the WS19 website - I think I scanned most of them.

Best regards,
Chris.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you for your detailed answer Chris - Wanted : Look at pictures . I want to set up an artillery comm truck so i need these to complete the CES. Photo credit : Bruce Parker .

[Robert Bergeron]

Built a homemade Tannoy speaker today to listen to the WS No 19 set . Still looking for an amplifier to connect to one of the drop plugs but the search is narrowing .

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Built a homemade Tannoy speaker today to listen to the WS No 19 set . Still looking for an amplifier to connect to one of the drop plugs but the search is narrowing .

Looks good. Does the Tannoy speaker have a transformer attached to it?

There's a discussion of the Sexton SPG setup with Control Unit 190 that uses the WS19 IC amplifier to drive the loudspeaker. (This is not what you want, as it will be much too loud, being intended for 25 pdr gun crew instructions in a confined space, and the gun crew did not use headsets.)

It may provide a few pointers on how to do it, though.

(I recently bought a Canadian ALS No.2 Mk.2 loudspeaker (with added woodworm) that has the lower pair of terminals for the WS19 IC amplifier drive. That uses the 30 ohm tapping on the transformer (the ALS uses a higher impedance drive - I think what was known as "100 volt line" - to allow the use of field cable without excessive losses), and the loudspeaker switch selects 'A' 'Off" and 'B' on the Control Unit 190, with a resistance in series to prevent overloading the amplifier. (I intend to draw out the circuit diagram from the photographs in that thread, and match it with the parts list from EMER Tels FZ-256/3 in order to (a) see how it is supposed to work, and (b) construct something vaguely similar.)

The Sexton appears to be fitted with Control Unit No.2 for the Wireless Op,
No.190 for Commander (droplead) and gun crew (loudspeaker), plus a Junction Distribution No.3 for the driver intercom - though I need to check that.

On the move only the commander, wireless operator and driver would have headsets (intercom and wireless), maybe with the loudspeaker on when required. Deployed they could use wireless or lay wire and use the ALS for the GPO and four guns. (I think - I'm not an artillery person.)

Best regards,
Chris.

[Bruce MacMillan]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

There's a discussion of the Sexton SPG setup with Control Unit 190 that uses the WS19 IC amplifier to drive the loudspeaker. (This is not what you want, as it will be much too loud, being intended for 25 pdr gun crew instructions in a confined space, and the gun crew did not use headsets.)
Best regards,
Chris.

The Canadian Army did approach PYE about producing a speaker for the 19 set. Quote was only a few £ (pounds, quid) per speaker. At that price it must have been only a box, speaker and maybe matching xfmr. They must have thought this was adequate enough volume to be useful. If you're not broadcasting to the neighbourhood you don't need much power.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you Chris and Bruce for your help and comments . Mystery solved gents . I had a two line telephone wire between the loudspeaker and the control box droplead and the speaker works fine on the A set and the IC . No need for an amplifier . Just plug the wires in the terminals at the bottom of the loudspeaker box . They are marked No 19 set …… I guess i could not go wrong . No more «*@@&{}#*^ tight headsets for me !

[Robert Bergeron]

My friend Yves has finished making the control panels for the generators . Wow , so close to original ! Sourcing the parts was not easy . Bakelite or it’s modern equivalent , Phenolic is very expensive and difficult to source . Thanks again to Reg Hodgson for the electrical diagram .

[Robert Bergeron]

Behind the generator electrical control panel i am installing .Panel all wired up. It’s easy when everythink is all marked with codes as on the plan / diagram I will be looking for a smaller electrical box eventualy .

[Robert Bergeron]

New battery and new gas tank installed today . Still working on sourcing brake parts . Now that i know they are Ford certainly helps. Thank you friends . Made an order with Mac’s .Went to pick up the newly overhauled radiator with new core .

[Robert Bergeron]

OK Chevy / Ford Blitz fans out there : Why two sizes ( width ) of brake excentric washers on these trucks ? I noticed of course that the rear shoes are way larger but that does not explain everything . Bob Carriere posted that they are 2 dfferent part numbers . That must mean something .

[Jordan Baker]

Are the thickness of the shoes the same or I’d assume match the thickness of these brass pieces?

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Jordan , good idea . My shoes are currently away at a shop for relining with asbestos like material . When i get them back i will look up closely, take pictures and post them .

[Grant Bowker]

This is only an idea - I have no way to say good or bad.

Keep in mind that parts may have been replaced by "close enough" at some time in the past. Though I know you are trying to be as original as practical, you may also end up doing this if you find the parts you ordered from Mac's better match your brake shoes than what you have.

[Robert Bergeron]

You are absolutely right Grant , thanks .A lot has been happening . Brakes , bearings , oil seals needed attention . Installed a brand new carburator , fuel pump , generator and water pump. Primed the inside of the box .

[Robert Bergeron]

Next week , another coat of paint inside the box and maybe an engine start .

[Robert Bergeron]

I polished the inside of the rear drums today . What a though job ! Tomorrow i will do the front ones …, Dirty , noisy , dusty ( old asbestos dust ) and lots of sparks . Cleaned and primed the back plate of the left rear wheel . Man those rear wheels are big !

[Robert Bergeron]

Adjustments unseized . Brake shoes relined and installed with new cylinders . Grease seals installed . Wheels re-installed . Waiting for banjo nuts and hydraulic fittings to connect brakes hoses . Meanwhile i restored and had a MKII No 19 set work like a gem . A good week .

[Robert Bergeron]

Friends , i have just restored a MKII WS No 19 to operating condition . Is it period correct for a Wire-5 truck ? Should i stick to a MKIII ? Thanks .

[Bruce Parker]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Friends , i have just restored a MKII WS No 19 to operating condition . Is it period correct for a Wire-5 truck ? Should i stick to a MKIII ? Thanks .

My 2 cents. By the time the WIRE-5 came out Mk.III 19 sets would have been the norm. Operationally I expect these would have been installed unless not available. It would give all the wireless trucks the same radio with the same capabilities, characteristics and consumption of spares. Perhaps crates full of lesser-able Mk.II sets would have been used in second line units and training perhaps.

On the other hand, it takes a pretty keen eye to spot the difference from a few feet away so I wouldn't cast aside that Mk.II just yet.

[Robert Bergeron]

Radiator installed . Carburator linked to the gas pedal . Coolant in the radiator , no leaks . Brakes functional , no leaks . Transmission forks were stuck . Got them unstuck . We should be ready for first engine start soon . Stay tuned . … and wish me luck.

[Robert Bergeron]

We have engine start ! Video posted on the FB page .

[Robert Bergeron]

For the historical record here are the exact measurements of the windows on the box . Original inscription found today while replacing a broken one . Also , it was dated 1/44 . Maybe it’s a seven so that would be 7/44 .

[Robert Bergeron]

Also found the Autolite trademark on the window ! It mentions it is safety glass like in the cars of the day . Two pieces of glass sandwiched together with a thin layer in between to prevent shards of glass injuring users .

[Robert Bergeron]

Today finished painting the windows i installed yeaterday . Installed the super structure : Guardrails and antenna protectors . The exterior is almost finished but it is never finished .

[Robert Bergeron]

Sideview of the super structure .

[Robert Bergeron]

Working on the antenna base to be mounted on the roof of the truck. It should go on top in the next few days . I intend to make the Wireless set No 19 operationnal by next week .

[Robert Bergeron]

The mount seen from the underside .

[Robert Bergeron]

The connection underneath .Aerial lead C6 .