B103 Battery - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Chrissy432 · 13th Jul 2015, 3:50 pm

Hi,
I hope someone can help me, I have just bought an Ever Ready 1948 4 valve radio.
Obviously hasn't got and can't buy a battery for it. It used a B103 battery and I have been told that I can use AAA or AA batteries instead. Does anyone know please how I would do this and how I would connect it to the radio as it has a connector that I have never seen before.

Thank you in advance

Chrissy

Nuvistor · 13th Jul 2015, 4:09 pm

You could use a 1.5 volt battery for the heaters and 10xPP3 (90 volts) batteries in series for the HT. The web link shows the battery case and the connector for the B103 battery. Don't get the wires mixed up or you will damage the heaters in all the valves.

http://www.vintageradioworld.co.uk/b103_battery.htm

Chrissy432 · 13th Jul 2015, 6:05 pm

Thank you so much, going to be fun working out how you do it lol

ThePillenwerfer · 13th Jul 2015, 6:50 pm

Details of the socket.

- Joe

paulsherwin · 13th Jul 2015, 7:13 pm

You should bear in mind that this radio has probably been out of use for 50 years, so it's likely to need work quite apart from finding a battery for it.

Phil G4SPZ · 13th Jul 2015, 9:03 pm

Paul's advice is sound. The reason why many sets of this type got prematurely 'retired' is due to an open-circuit output transformer primary winding, caused by a faulty capacitor. Even if the transformer is still OK, the excessive current will cause the HT battery to run down too quickly.

If you do make a replica battery for the set, at the very least you really need to replace one specific capacitor to prevent further damage occurring. If you can tell us the model number of the radio or post a picture, we can talk you through the work involved. You may of course prefer to get someone to do the work for you.

13th Jul 2015, 3:50 pm	#1
Chrissy432 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 4	B103 Battery Hi, I hope someone can help me, I have just bought an Ever Ready 1948 4 valve radio. Obviously hasn't got and can't buy a battery for it. It used a B103 battery and I have been told that I can use AAA or AA batteries instead. Does anyone know please how I would do this and how I would connect it to the radio as it has a connector that I have never seen before. Thank you in advance Chrissy Last edited by Chrissy432; 13th Jul 2015 at 4:01 pm.

13th Jul 2015, 4:09 pm	#2
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: B103 Battery You could use a 1.5 volt battery for the heaters and 10xPP3 (90 volts) batteries in series for the HT. The web link shows the battery case and the connector for the B103 battery. Don't get the wires mixed up or you will damage the heaters in all the valves. http://www.vintageradioworld.co.uk/b103_battery.htm

13th Jul 2015, 6:05 pm	#3
Chrissy432 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 4	Re: B103 Battery Thank you so much, going to be fun working out how you do it lol

13th Jul 2015, 6:50 pm	#4
ThePillenwerfer Octode Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,453	Re: B103 Battery Details of the socket. - Joe Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Experts are only good at one thing: explaining why something will not work!"

13th Jul 2015, 7:13 pm	#5
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,978	Re: B103 Battery You should bear in mind that this radio has probably been out of use for 50 years, so it's likely to need work quite apart from finding a battery for it.

13th Jul 2015, 9:03 pm	#6
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,749	Re: B103 Battery Paul's advice is sound. The reason why many sets of this type got prematurely 'retired' is due to an open-circuit output transformer primary winding, caused by a faulty capacitor. Even if the transformer is still OK, the excessive current will cause the HT battery to run down too quickly. If you do make a replica battery for the set, at the very least you really need to replace one specific capacitor to prevent further damage occurring. If you can tell us the model number of the radio or post a picture, we can talk you through the work involved. You may of course prefer to get someone to do the work for you. __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts