Portable 61 and L5039

[Michael Watterson]

Ever Ready "Portable 61" and Vidor "L5039"

See the AD34 or L5050 battery thread too!

I do have a photo of the Vidor L5039 (and Drydex/Exide). Also an edited scan (again incorrectly set DPI).

I can upload my Vidor creation from photo and also the Ever Ready version.

The front L5039 front and back are correct (Missing in the photo is "REGD." under the Vidor, now fixed) but the sides are guess work.

Fits in CN420 Regatta and CN379 Riviera. Probably all early Riviera models use it.

This pack was also used in early 2V valve portables before 1939 (Earliest used "wet" and later "gel" Lead Acid LT by 1938, typically 400mA or more LT for 4 valves.

Inner tray is pizza box card and outer tray is A2 "Art" folder cut up. A great source of cheap really heavy card plain blue for only €3 per folder (A1+ when opened?).

Inkjet printing on 90gm paper and Pritt stick.

10 x AA holders and there will be a block of wood running length of box with two "coffee tin" sockets for the wander plugs. A fuse is recommended!

Zinc Carbon AA about 100 hrs HT and Alkaline AA about 250 hours+ HT (similar life to original 60 x B cells = U10). So under 8 pence an hour running cost.

[Michael Watterson]

Some construction details.

The box is conventional 2 part inner base fits inside outer cover.

Connectors made from base of a coffee tin using a tin opener. Fuse for safety. The connectors came free with the 10 way holders. Soldering the holders can make bad connections.

€12 of Alkaline batteries, less likely to leak than Zinc Carbon and gives capacity slightly higher than original B/U10 cells, which are about 2.5x capacity of a modern Zinc Carbon AA cell at 10mA.

Fresh Zinc Carbon is over 100 V, but 96 V is about right for 60 x Alkaline cells. Do double check no cells the wrong way round (one incorrect cell reduces volts by 3)

A little extra packing to stop batteries rattling or connectors marking cover.

The plugs are usually miniature brass split pin. Making the sockets from a pair of bent brass strips is better, but the tinned steel should be fine.

Painting the inside with molten candle wax would be a good plan, card was originally waxed on inside to help contain leaks.

[BriancuffRest In Peace]

Michael, model shops sell small, thin walled brass tubing ( 3/16" or 1/8") which would make really good banana sockets. A small piece could be soldered to a flange made from coffee tin plate.

[Michael Watterson]

Thanks Brian.

Expensive and coffee tins are free (esp when you add postage to Ireland!).

This is first time too I have needed Wander plug sockets. I actually have some real wander sockets, but I'll keep them for restoring radios. The battery sockets on the P61 are the easiest yet compared to the other packs I've done (which are best with a sprung socket as the plugs are not springy).

[BriancuffRest In Peace]

Next time I send something to you, I'll stick a bit in the parcel. Re the Sky King, sorry, I haven't found it yet!

[Michael Watterson]

Thanks. It will be very good to replace broken plug pins or make plugs. The plugs all cut of my Vidor CN379 and replaced with an industrial recessed pins 4 way plug.

[Doz]

I have a Portable 61 if anyone would like it for their collection. Free to collector or postage at cost.

[Michael Watterson]

I'd be happy with 300dpi colour scans of all 6 sides

Also a 3/4 angle 1200 pixel wide photo to upload to the Radiomuseum.

I collect specifications, photos and scans of Batteries. I'll leave the physical Battery Collecting to the Specialist in that, "MikeC".

[Doz]

Your wish etc ....

http://s165.photobucket.com/user/andydoswell/library/

... but what's a 3/4 angle shot look like?

[Michael Watterson]

These
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ever_batrymax_b104.html
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ever_alldr ... _ad35.html
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ever_all_d ... y_ad4.html
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ever_portable_61.html

Thanks

[Mike C]

Thanks for the offer but I have this battery, well two versions of it but the weird thing is mine has made in England, postage is heavy with these but I would consider taking it off your hands with the guts removed and flat packed as I could reassemble it again. I should have stated I will cover postage costs if you still have it.

[Doz]

Thanks for the offer but I have this battery, well two versions of it but the weird thing is mine has made in England, postage is heavy with these but I would consider taking it off your hands with the guts removed and flat packed as I could reassemble it again. I should have stated I will cover postage costs if you still have it.

Hi Mike,

I'll do that if nobody fancies the whole thing. Disgorging will need to wait until I've moved though ...

[Mike C]

No problem as in no hurry, you should be able to run a blade along the sides as these are only held together with staples. Postage is steep with these as there heavy. Not bothered about creases or leaks as I can fix these issues along with tears ect.