Old dry cells and batteries. - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Bill · 26th Apr 2007, 12:11 pm

Re Oldham Batteries.
I live near the site of the former Oldham Batteries factory. The place was opened over 100 years ago to manufacture mostly lead acid batteries for industrial use. Much of the output went to supply the coal mining industry with miner's lamps and battery clipped to a waist belt and later , large traction batteries for underground electric haulage locomotives. Both applications required a very safe & rugged battery.
Automotive batteries were also made , Oldham employees had the "perk" of one free battery per year, so if you knew someone there you could often get your duff car battery replaced.
In recent years , Oldham's were taken over by the (American?) Hawker company and the factory closed, I believe production is now in Eastern Europe . The local factory is now a wasteland but there is still a sales office nearby.
I don't ever recall seeing an Oldham dry cell or battery.Sorry, nostalgia sent me a bit OT.

Bill

Mike Phelan · 26th Apr 2007, 4:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom_I

Bill, others may be able to elaborate more, but as far as I know, it's a stretch of the M60 orbital motorway round Manchester, in NW England.

(To keep things vaguely on topic.) Could this have been the Clifton Junction works mentioned in the attached ad? I think that's in the right place for "Death Valley".

Tom

Right on both counts, Tom. Sorry for delay in replying - missed it somehow, and BTs ADSL fell over yesterday.

plumbweiss · 26th Apr 2007, 10:41 pm

Those Siemens brown cells are sometimes still found in the old AVO 40 and 7, wire ended, thats why more modern 7's etc have their thumbscrew connections with an adapter for a D cell. I have one in the workshop as a keepsake.

Nickthedentist · 27th Apr 2007, 12:18 pm

I like the way they proudly prolcaim "guaranteed 3 months"

plumbweiss · 28th Apr 2007, 1:43 am

Mm, this is a page from Hobday's 1936 radio catalogue, a big affair that has lots of goodies inside, pages of HT/LT batteries as well which I might scan in later...TV's /radios etc. Any special requests for brands/products/ let me know, useful source of trade prices in those days!

26th Apr 2007, 12:11 pm	#21
Bill Pentode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Denton, Manchester, UK. Posts: 187	Re: Old dry cells and batteries. Re Oldham Batteries. I live near the site of the former Oldham Batteries factory. The place was opened over 100 years ago to manufacture mostly lead acid batteries for industrial use. Much of the output went to supply the coal mining industry with miner's lamps and battery clipped to a waist belt and later , large traction batteries for underground electric haulage locomotives. Both applications required a very safe & rugged battery. Automotive batteries were also made , Oldham employees had the "perk" of one free battery per year, so if you knew someone there you could often get your duff car battery replaced. In recent years , Oldham's were taken over by the (American?) Hawker company and the factory closed, I believe production is now in Eastern Europe . The local factory is now a wasteland but there is still a sales office nearby. I don't ever recall seeing an Oldham dry cell or battery.Sorry, nostalgia sent me a bit OT. Bill

26th Apr 2007, 10:41 pm	#23
plumbweiss Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 157	Re: Old dry cells and batteries. Those Siemens brown cells are sometimes still found in the old AVO 40 and 7, wire ended, thats why more modern 7's etc have their thumbscrew connections with an adapter for a D cell. I have one in the workshop as a keepsake. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by plumbweiss; 26th Apr 2007 at 11:06 pm.

27th Apr 2007, 12:18 pm	#24
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,841	Re: Old dry cells and batteries. I like the way they proudly prolcaim "guaranteed 3 months"

28th Apr 2007, 1:43 am	#25
plumbweiss Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 157	Re: Old dry cells and batteries. Mm, this is a page from Hobday's 1936 radio catalogue, a big affair that has lots of goodies inside, pages of HT/LT batteries as well which I might scan in later...TV's /radios etc. Any special requests for brands/products/ let me know, useful source of trade prices in those days!