The message from "Dave Plowman (News)" contains these words:
You are not alone!
I also used to pull the carbon rods out of D cells to use as electrodes with a car battery. I found you could melt common salt quite easily.
You too. Weren't they "SP2s" in those days?
The message from Chris Bacon contains these words:
Hmm, something like that but I'm not sure it was SP2.
D'yer remember the 3V torch batteries that were like 2 C cells in a cardboard tube? And the 2xD cycle lamp batteries that had a spring on top and another on the front? And "flag" batteries?
'U2' was the generic 'size'. The 'SP2', was the 'super power' version. I think most people used those rods for something. I had a really powerful transformer (gave about 800A at 3v), and with nice thick cables, you could do a sort of 'spot welding' with these. The carbon was also a vital ingredient in many chemistry mixes....
The cycle lamp batteries had a longer cell than the 'D' cell. About 50% larger. I remember having to drill holes in the spring strips, to use these in a field telephone, when the 'official' batteries for these became hard to get.
Best Wishes
Not sure...
Yes.
What dat ting?
How's it best to fit rechargeable cells into one of those
6V batteries with coil spring contacts on top?
How about the 4.5 volt lantern type with sprung levers on the top known as 'flat' batteries? Often used in cycle front lamps.
Incidentally, these are still available from the likes of Maplin and are a source if stripped for cells which are used in some test meters and difficult to source singly.
The message from Chris Bacon contains these words:
A socking great single cell. Once used (amongst other things) to power glowplugs for model engines.
The message from Chris Bacon contains these words:
You can buy rechargeable ones ready made. I've got one that has a Fig-8 mains socket in one corner and a 12V socket in the other. Depending which way round you put it in the torch you can fit either lead.
Gosh, that's a big one. No, I don't remember those...
probably.... something about the top terminal rings a bell, though.
SP2 and HP2.... AA was HP7, and C was HP11
Sounds like an everready No. 8
Similar to cells once used for doorbells, etc, with a life measured in tens of years?
They are, or were, used in a lot of headtorches and are often available from camping shops. Saw Duracell ones in B&Q the other day.
MBQ
I had one of those for a model airplane. Everready, IIRC. Binding posts on the top.
I don't recall the name. Any idea why they were called "flag" batteries?
Best regards, Spehro Pefhany
Henh, good one! 8*) It looks kinda like a BC cell, but it's hard to tell...
Ever tried carrying a few? ;-)
Chris Bacon wrote in news:446b2554$ snipped-for-privacy@newsgate.x-privat.org:
That's about the size of it. :) The 'flags' were little disks behind glass windows in rosewood or mahogany boxes, used in large houses with servants, if a bell was rung in a room, the staff could tell who rang it by looking at the flag box. The bell would be mounted above, or beside the box, and the flag battery (Usually a few in series) would be in the box or on a shelf on the wall nearby.
The message from Lostgallifreyan contains these words:
Not even that large. I had friends in a three bed semi that had one!
Pah. I've got the remains of a mechanical bell system here. Dunno why - you could have whistled for the maid...
We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember Chris Bacon saying something like:
Ever Ready 6V lanterns come with a rechargeable battery holder that takes 4 D cells. It's quite handy, given the price of lantern batteries. Now I've got a selection of rechargeable gel-cell lead acid lanterns I don't need it so much.
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