Oversize PP3 batteries - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Phil G4SPZ · 11th Jan 2017, 9:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maarten

6LR61 batteries contain cylindrical cells by definition, but 6F22 batteries should still contain a stack of flat cells.

Thanks for that, Maarten, I stand corrected!

camtechman · 11th Jan 2017, 12:38 pm

Some time back I asked the same question about 'over sized' modern PP3 batteries and mentioned the problem fitting them into most of my pocket transistor radios.

At the time, I set about trying out available PP3's. The only ones I found that consistently fitted ok was the Panasonic Zinc Carbon type (printed on the packaging, although printed Zinc Chloride on the battery !!).

They even fit the smallest in my pocket radio collection, the "Hi Fi Deluxe Marvel" (93x60x27mm)

See pics below.

Tony

stevehertz · 11th Jan 2017, 1:21 pm

Nice one Tony, seems you have to be wary of the width of PP3 batteries with that set, whereas my problem was thickness. Like I reported, Wilko 'Extra' alkaline at just £1.95 fitted my set perfectly. I'm guessing they're probably ok for your set too. I can measure the width if you want?(don't have my vernier at hand at the mo).

camtechman · 11th Jan 2017, 2:25 pm

Steve,

Quote:

I can measure the width if you want?

Yes please, when you have the time.

I shall be measuring the Panasonic ones and reply later.

Tony

camtechman · 11th Jan 2017, 3:41 pm

Size of Panasonic PP3:

brenellic2000 · 11th Jan 2017, 4:47 pm

I had this problem of fitting batteries many years ago with photographic equipment and took it up with Ray-o-Vac. The gist of their answer was that if a tolerance is set, one party will always design a product to use the mininum amount of material ie the lowest tolerance: if they can save 1p, they will save £10,000 on a large production run in a cost-sensitive market. The better quality and more professional the product, the less likely (in)tolerance issues! Far Eastern manufacture products caused Ray-o-Vac their biggest headaches!

emeritus · 11th Jan 2017, 5:22 pm

AFAIR, circa 1960 the case of the Ever Ready PP3 was plastic. The first metal ones I came across were made In Hong Kong, such as the "Flying bomb" types. The contemporary case of the Ever Ready battery for my Bush TR104 (PP7?) was waxy card. I do remember buying a PP3 Ever Ready NiCd circa 1986 that was a very tight fit in the radio I had got it for, but that has long since gone in the recycle bin.

stevehertz · 12th Jan 2017, 12:00 pm

The Wilko 'Extra' PP3 measures 25.95mm wide, and 16.75mm thick.

Mach One · 12th Jan 2017, 4:19 pm

Now I understand why PP3s might also have the nomenclature 6xxxx, if you see what I mean. Thank you!

factory · 14th Jan 2017, 4:24 pm

Watch out if buying an alkaline Panasonic PP3, there are two different sized versions.
The ones made in Belgium always seemed to fit fine (uses cylindrical cells), but the other (made in Malaysia?) is larger (uses layer cells) and is a force fit even in some modern test gear at work. I first saw the larger ones at work but have since seen them at the local supermarket.

David

11th Jan 2017, 12:38 pm	#22
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Oversize PP3 batteries Some time back I asked the same question about 'over sized' modern PP3 batteries and mentioned the problem fitting them into most of my pocket transistor radios. At the time, I set about trying out available PP3's. The only ones I found that consistently fitted ok was the *Panasonic Zinc Carbon* type (printed on the packaging, although printed *Zinc Chloride* on the battery !!). They even fit the smallest in my pocket radio collection, the "Hi Fi Deluxe Marvel" (93x60x27mm) See pics below. Tony Attached Thumbnails __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

11th Jan 2017, 1:21 pm	#23
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,831	Re: Oversize PP3 batteries Nice one Tony, seems you have to be wary of the width of PP3 batteries with that set, whereas my problem was thickness. Like I reported, Wilko 'Extra' alkaline at just £1.95 fitted my set perfectly. I'm guessing they're probably ok for your set too. I can measure the width if you want?(don't have my vernier at hand at the mo). __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

11th Jan 2017, 3:41 pm	#25
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Oversize PP3 batteries Size of Panasonic PP3: Attached Thumbnails __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

11th Jan 2017, 4:47 pm	#26
brenellic2000 Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rye, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,647	Re: Oversize PP3 batteries I had this problem of fitting batteries many years ago with photographic equipment and took it up with Ray-o-Vac. The gist of their answer was that if a tolerance is set, one party will always design a product to use the mininum amount of material ie the lowest tolerance: if they can save 1p, they will save £10,000 on a large production run in a cost-sensitive market. The better quality and more professional the product, the less likely (in)tolerance issues! Far Eastern manufacture products caused Ray-o-Vac their biggest headaches!

11th Jan 2017, 5:22 pm	#27
emeritus Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 5,339	Re: Oversize PP3 batteries AFAIR, circa 1960 the case of the Ever Ready PP3 was plastic. The first metal ones I came across were made In Hong Kong, such as the "Flying bomb" types. The contemporary case of the Ever Ready battery for my Bush TR104 (PP7?) was waxy card. I do remember buying a PP3 Ever Ready NiCd circa 1986 that was a very tight fit in the radio I had got it for, but that has long since gone in the recycle bin.

12th Jan 2017, 12:00 pm	#28
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,831	Re: Oversize PP3 batteries The Wilko 'Extra' PP3 measures 25.95mm wide, and 16.75mm thick. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

12th Jan 2017, 4:19 pm	#29
Mach One Heptode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 611	Re: Oversize PP3 batteries Now I understand why PP3s might also have the nomenclature 6xxxx, if you see what I mean. Thank you!

14th Jan 2017, 4:24 pm	#30
factory Octode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cheshire, UK. Posts: 1,733	Re: Oversize PP3 batteries Watch out if buying an alkaline Panasonic PP3, there are two different sized versions. The ones made in Belgium always seemed to fit fine (uses cylindrical cells), but the other (made in Malaysia?) is larger (uses layer cells) and is a force fit even in some modern test gear at work. I first saw the larger ones at work but have since seen them at the local supermarket. David