[batterymaker]

I'm in the middle of making repro batteries for a forum member's 38-38. Now I've got the monster BC pack laid out and understood.

It's the A battery that's got me stumped.

According to the schematic, I think it says the 38-38 either a wet cell or a dry A battery. If the dry one is used, then there's a special ballast that needs to be in-circuit.

The battery doesn't cross in any of my Philco data. The one mentioned in the 1939 catalog doesn't say anything about a ballast needed.

His 38-38 has its A leads ending in large alligator clips, so am I right to assume it was setup for wet cell? Any ideas on how to make a substitute?

Bill

[Fred R]

Bill,

I have a 38-38 myself here that is rebuilt. I recall the A battery had a socket built into it. The dry battery if used was part number 41-8011 and had a socket for a 1F1 ballast tube which dropped the voltage to the required 2 volts. I think the 1F1 was a four prong tube. A few years earlier, the Philco 38 had a socket which was usually jumped out but could use a type 6 ballast. It was on the chassis. I think the 1F1 was similar in specifications. I would be interested to know if you have plans to make more.

Fred

[batterymaker]

On the BC batteries? Sure.

It's a big'n, though. Stands close to a foot high, almost as wide.

So, just want to make sure, the 1F1 normally was installed on the chassis, not within the battery itself?

I ask that because I've seen some obscure Zenith battery data that had the ballasts installed in the battery itself--which I thought was rather odd.

Bill

[Fred R]

Bill,

I saw one many years ago so I don't remember exactly the size. The 1F1 is definitely mounted on the dry A battery. It seems like an unusual setup in that the 1F1's would be prone to being broken. I tend to think that most of these sets were operated off of 2 volt storage or aircells.

By the way, I did some searching on aircells. They may have fallen out of favor on radios in 1939 when the new 1.5 volt sets came out. Aircells are used today for hearing aid batteries.

Fred

[batterymaker]

I think you're right, and I believe a vintage-looking aircell's going to be the path I'm going to take. There's a guy in Australia that has a 2v A battery kit that uses 2 D sized Lead Acid cells.

[batterymaker]

Okay, work in progress.....

The BC pack is nearing completion. Just have to add 9v clips to the B bank. After that comes color signage and the cover. And a smoke test.

The Air Cell is almost finished from the outside. I am in the process of ordering a 2v regulator kit from my buddy in Australia. User will be able to use this battery from 2 D cells!

[Image: http://users.mw.net/~bmorris/1946.jpg]
[Image: http://users.mw.net/~bmorris/bcpack.jpg]
[Image: http://users.mw.net/~bmorris/a2300.jpg]
[Image: http://users.mw.net/~bmorris/aircell.jpg]
[Image: http://users.mw.net/~bmorris/aircell2.jpg]

[batterymaker]

DIG IT!

Figured I'd post these before the party breaks up.


After five months' worth of aggravation, this project is coming to a close. Just need to add a couple of masonite spacers to the cradle, and this package is ready to go!

The tape dispenser is holding down the final glued seam on the top-mounted access door.

[Image: http://users.mw.net/~bmorris/finishedbcpack.jpg]
[Image: http://users.mw.net/~bmorris/finishedbcpacksocket.jpg]

[Chuck Schwark]

Fantastic!

[Terry Burns]

Bill,
You do nice work!! Very skillful indeed.

Terry

[Chris Drumma]

batterymaker,
Looks great! Was wondering what it was going to look like. How is that going to fit in the chassis?
thanks
Chris

[batterymaker]

I don't think it does. I believe these are set beside the radio or on the floor.