PP5 Battery replacement ideas? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Harmonk · 26th Oct 2013, 12:39 pm

Hello Everyone, I am a newbie and though I would ask for some advice on the best way to build a substitute for the obsolete old style cylindrical 9V PP5 battery.

I have a beautiful AERO 6 and don’t want to strap a PP3 on the outside but prefer my radios to be working contained units. Space is limited and my thoughts are turning to modifying a Sony NP-FH30 which will give me 7.2V fully charged which should be enough to power her up! Any other small cylindrical high voltage battery thoughts?
Thanks in advance

Cobaltblue · 26th Oct 2013, 2:22 pm

Hi Harmonk and welcome the forum

I can't think of a solution but thought I would post a link to an Aero 6 so others can see your problem.

Cheers

Mike T

julie_m · 26th Oct 2013, 3:23 pm

I'm sure you can get NiMH coin cells, seven of which (for 8.4 V) could be stacked up inside a tube of suitable dimensions and an end cap fitted with the appropriate connector on each end.

There are forum members who delight in recreating obsolete batteries for their sets ..... Keep watching this space, and someone is bound to have detailed plans.

60 oldjohn · 26th Oct 2013, 5:16 pm

Have a look at "The Small Battery Co" web site you may get some more ideas. Years since I used this firm no connection etc.
John.

David G4EBT · 26th Oct 2013, 10:16 pm

It might help to know that the dimensions of the PP5 battery were 47.5 mm × 16 mm × 15 mm. I dare say that with a little ingenuity, a cell holder could be made to hold six either disposable or rechargeable cells to make up 9V, perhaps using 15mm plastic conduit or some such thing. Presumably the PP5 was terminated with PP3 style press-stud connectors, one at each end. If that's so, a dud PP3 would yield the connectors.

Hope that helps a bit.

Aub · 26th Oct 2013, 11:05 pm

I don't remember the PP5 at all. I remember the PP4. When I was about 6, my parents had a Decca portable which used two PP4's. They were cylindrical, but were about 7 8ths of an inch in diameter and had the PP9/PP7 style of connectors at either end.

All the best.

Aub

Diabolical Artificer · 31st Oct 2013, 11:21 am

I replaced an H-7D battery that was inside a TEAC mic with 1.5v 625A Micro cells. They were very cheap (20 for 3 quid, I think ) off Ebay. I clamped them and used shrink sleeve to keep them in place. This worked out far cheaper than a proper replacement.

A H-7D is a cylindrical battery approx 2" x 1/2" . Andy.

rmslt56 · 31st Oct 2013, 5:17 pm

The PP5 was used by Henrys radio in what I think was their last pocket TRF receiver dating from about 1963.This was a three transistor reflex circuit using tha same case which housed their Minor One dating from about 1957
regards
Doug

26th Oct 2013, 12:39 pm	#1
Harmonk Diode Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 3	PP5 Battery replacement ideas? Hello Everyone, I am a newbie and though I would ask for some advice on the best way to build a substitute for the obsolete old style cylindrical 9V PP5 battery. I have a beautiful AERO 6 and don’t want to strap a PP3 on the outside but prefer my radios to be working contained units. Space is limited and my thoughts are turning to modifying a Sony NP-FH30 which will give me 7.2V fully charged which should be enough to power her up! Any other small cylindrical high voltage battery thoughts? Thanks in advance

26th Oct 2013, 2:22 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,875	Re: PP5 Battery replacement ideas? Hi Harmonk and welcome the forum I can't think of a solution but thought I would post a link to an Aero 6 so others can see your problem. Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

26th Oct 2013, 3:23 pm	#3
julie_m Dekatron Join Date: May 2008 Location: Derby, UK. Posts: 7,735	Re: PP5 Battery replacement ideas? I'm sure you can get NiMH coin cells, seven of which (for 8.4 V) could be stacked up inside a tube of suitable dimensions and an end cap fitted with the appropriate connector on each end. There are forum members who delight in recreating obsolete batteries for their sets ..... Keep watching this space, and someone is bound to have detailed plans. __________________ If I have seen further than others, it is because I was standing on a pile of failed experiments.

26th Oct 2013, 5:16 pm	#4
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,988	Re: PP5 Battery replacement ideas? Have a look at "The Small Battery Co" web site you may get some more ideas. Years since I used this firm no connection etc. John.

26th Oct 2013, 10:16 pm	#5
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,763	Re: PP5 Battery replacement ideas? It might help to know that the dimensions of the PP5 battery were 47.5 mm × 16 mm × 15 mm. I dare say that with a little ingenuity, a cell holder could be made to hold six either disposable or rechargeable cells to make up 9V, perhaps using 15mm plastic conduit or some such thing. Presumably the PP5 was terminated with PP3 style press-stud connectors, one at each end. If that's so, a dud PP3 would yield the connectors. Hope that helps a bit. __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

26th Oct 2013, 11:05 pm	#6
Aub Nonode Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 2,039	Re: PP5 Battery replacement ideas? I don't remember the PP5 at all. I remember the PP4. When I was about 6, my parents had a Decca portable which used two PP4's. They were cylindrical, but were about 7 8ths of an inch in diameter and had the PP9/PP7 style of connectors at either end. All the best. Aub __________________ Life's a long song, but the tune ends too soon for us all.

31st Oct 2013, 11:21 am	#7
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,667	Re: PP5 Battery replacement ideas? I replaced an H-7D battery that was inside a TEAC mic with 1.5v 625A Micro cells. They were very cheap (20 for 3 quid, I think ) off Ebay. I clamped them and used shrink sleeve to keep them in place. This worked out far cheaper than a proper replacement. A H-7D is a cylindrical battery approx 2" x 1/2" . Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

31st Oct 2013, 5:17 pm	#8
rmslt56 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 43	Re: PP5 Battery replacement ideas? The PP5 was used by Henrys radio in what I think was their last pocket TRF receiver dating from about 1963.This was a three transistor reflex circuit using tha same case which housed their Minor One dating from about 1957 regards Doug