PP4 batteries - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Phil G4SPZ · 6th Sep 2016, 9:18 am

http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_226.htm

No connection with this company, other than as a satisfied customer.

Phil

Jon_G4MDC · 6th Sep 2016, 10:06 am

So is it Lithium or Alkaline?
They contradict themselves.
Lithium seems to win on a simple count up...

MrBungle · 6th Sep 2016, 10:22 am

I've used the small battery company before. Highly recommended.

Phil G4SPZ · 6th Sep 2016, 11:24 am

Well, it states "Lithium" in two places on their web page...

Dave Moll · 6th Sep 2016, 3:57 pm

... so presumably the one reference to "alkaline" is a error.

kalee20 · 6th Sep 2016, 6:36 pm

Price looks lithium-ish. On the other hand, do suitable cells exist to build up to a PP4 size in lithium? If I was making one, I'd strip down an alkaline PP3, cross my fingers that I'd find cylindrical AAAA cells inside, and see if I could repackage them into PP4 dimensions.

David G4EBT · 6th Sep 2016, 6:54 pm

The reference to them being alkaline must surely be an error - it clearly states against the price that they're lithium, with a claimed shelf life of more than ten years - they wouldn't make that claim if they were alkaline. As to the price, yes, lithium will be more expensive, just as lithium camera batteries are, but then there are the magic words 'guitar' and Marshall': ... "Commonly found in the guitar special-effects units of older guitars. The 226 / PP4 is used in guitar pedals such as the Marshall Supa Fuzz guitar pedal". Nuff said!

I've used Small Battery Co too for watch batteries and the like - excellent service and a wide stock range.

Phil G4SPZ · 6th Sep 2016, 7:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Moll

... so presumably the one reference to "alkaline" is a error.

Yes, sorry, I hadn't spotted that till you pointed it out!

You could put three lithium CR2032s in series inside a tubular housing with a terminal at each end, but whilst it could be a cheap solution, you'd only get 250mAh of capacity.

arjoll · 6th Sep 2016, 11:52 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil G4SPZ

You could put three lithium CR2032s in series inside a tubular housing with a terminal at each end, but whilst it could be a cheap solution, you'd only get 250mAh of capacity.

yup, but replacing the CR2032's would cost less than NZD1.00 (GBP0.55) each time

Dave Moll · 7th Sep 2016, 7:34 am

In the UK, they're available in packs of four (+ four other lithium cells) from Poundland. You can guess the price!

Phil G4SPZ · 7th Sep 2016, 10:29 am

Five in a tube with suitable spacers make a cheap alternative to the 15 volt BLR121 for Avo 8s.

6th Sep 2016, 9:18 am	#1
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	PP4 batteries http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_226.htm No connection with this company, other than as a satisfied customer. Phil __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

6th Sep 2016, 10:06 am	#2
Jon_G4MDC Nonode Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 2,015	Re: PP4 batteries So is it Lithium or Alkaline? They contradict themselves. Lithium seems to win on a simple count up...

6th Sep 2016, 10:22 am	#3
MrBungle Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: PP4 batteries I've used the small battery company before. Highly recommended.

6th Sep 2016, 11:24 am	#4
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: PP4 batteries Well, it states "Lithium" in two places on their web page... __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

6th Sep 2016, 3:57 pm	#5
Dave Moll Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK Posts: 6,127	Re: PP4 batteries ... so presumably the one reference to "alkaline" is a error. __________________ Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)

6th Sep 2016, 6:36 pm	#6
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,082	Re: PP4 batteries Price looks lithium-ish. On the other hand, do suitable cells exist to build up to a PP4 size in lithium? If I was making one, I'd strip down an alkaline PP3, cross my fingers that I'd find cylindrical AAAA cells inside, and see if I could repackage them into PP4 dimensions.

6th Sep 2016, 6:54 pm	#7
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,761	Re: PP4 batteries The reference to them being alkaline must surely be an error - it clearly states against the price that they're lithium, with a claimed shelf life of more than ten years - they wouldn't make that claim if they were alkaline. As to the price, yes, lithium will be more expensive, just as lithium camera batteries are, but then there are the magic words 'guitar' and Marshall': ... "Commonly found in the guitar special-effects units of older guitars. The 226 / PP4 is used in guitar pedals such as the Marshall Supa Fuzz guitar pedal". Nuff said! I've used Small Battery Co too for watch batteries and the like - excellent service and a wide stock range. __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

7th Sep 2016, 7:34 am	#10
Dave Moll Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK Posts: 6,127	Re: PP4 batteries In the UK, they're available in packs of four (+ four other lithium cells) from Poundland. You can guess the price! __________________ Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)

7th Sep 2016, 10:29 am	#11
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: PP4 batteries Five in a tube with suitable spacers make a cheap alternative to the 15 volt BLR121 for Avo 8s. __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts