Hunt for the PP7

[Andrewausfa]

This question is about PP7 batteries not PP9.

I tried searching on-line today for a stockist of PP7 batteries and came up very short. One website states GP Batteries, who used to be a source, still make them but have stopped importing which I guess is why the likes of Rapid, CPC, several on-line stores are out and Maplins inventory is something like four in the whole of the eastern region. Not that Maplins will post them anyway. My local ironmongery, which stocks all sort of obscure stuff, hasn't had them for a while.

Appreciating demand must be very low these days but is anyone else finding this battery particularly difficult to source now? Anyone know of a company I could order from on-line?

I know I can make something but the real thing would be nice.

Thanks - Andrew

[richrussell]

GP Batteries have a 'Contact Us' on their website, so it might worth asking them where you can buy a PP7 from. No harm in asking anyway.

Other than that, I'm drawing a complete 'out of stock' on every site I look at in the UK. So you may end up having to order one and get it shipped from overseas.

I assume you've searched on all the equivalents (6F90, 266, 489, 1605, BB27, DT7, Eveready 266, GP1605S, M6, M1605, M1607, RR7, ST7, T6007, TR7 VS322, VT7)?

These seem to be in stock...

http://www.thebatteryshop.co.uk/pp7-...ery-1733-p.asp
http://www.maplin.co.uk/9v-pp7-battery-82

[richrussell]

Maplin don't have any for delivery. But throwing in postcodes, it would seem that there are one or two stores with a single battery in stock if you don't mind travelling.

Nearest one to you Andrew would seem to be Luton, who have 1 in stock for store collection - I'd maybe ring them to confirm that though, as Maplin's online stock checker is notoriously inaccurate.

[Andrewausfa]

Thanks gents,

What I was thinking and looking at another members post on this subject from last year, is that the batteries that are for sale might be past their best now.

Rich, Luton's a round trip of 100 miles I've gone down the route of battery holders now but it will be intersting to see if fresh stock of PP7s reach these shores again.

Andrew

[julie_m]

If someone has a dead one, could you re-stuff it with some suitably-sized rechargeables? You'd never need to buy another one again then.

[nutteronthebus]

Hi,

I have just started work on a Ferranti PT1065 radio and it uses a PP7. Indeed Maplins do hold them (what they're date I have yet to find out). I found the website linked below, from which you may be able to make a cover for you modern battery.

Dave L

http://www.the-thompson-brown-family...eriesframe.htm

[Darren-UK]

You have to be careful with modern PP7's anyway as they tend to be slightly larger than the older examples and thus can be pesky to fit inside a radio. I know that's a common problem with the Hacker Mini Herald.

On the restuffing option, I'd think you could parallel three PP3's inside a PP7 case, certainly two anyway, which would probably give a longer life than a pile of AA's or button cells. Be less fiddly to fit too.

[Andrewausfa]

Originally Posted by Darren-UK

You have to be careful with modern PP7's anyway as they tend to be slightly larger than the older examples and thus can be pesky to fit inside a radio. I know that's a common problem with the Hacker Mini Herald.

And that was exactly my intended recepient. Thanks for the advice Darren

Andrew

[Darren-UK]

Ah, so you'll need a pair. I've just read somewhere that GP have ceased importing them from China, so that'll be the end of that source.

Smallbattery list the Eveready 266, which the illustration shows as being card-covered and squarer-cornered so might be a better fit in the Hacker. Smallbattery is also out of stock though, but a search for the 266 version might be worthwhile.

Maplin were selling their own brand PP7, I've got a couple here, but who actually made them and whether they're still produced I don't know.

If you don't wish to go down the restuffing route all I can suggest is keeping an eye on the two Maplins stores in Cambridge to see if the PP7 reappears. If it does, you can always telephone them and ask them to check the dates on the batteries. Meantime, you can always adapt the radio to use a pair of PP3's.

[richrussell]

Originally Posted by Andrewausfa

Luton's a round trip of 100 miles

Hence the 'shocked' smiley I put on the post. I suspect Maplin have maybe 15 batteries, gathering dust at various stores around the country, and they're not planning on restocking.

Smallbattery and most of the other specialist battery companies have no stock of any of the PP7 or it's equivalents. I suspect they simply aren't being imported or maybe even made.

Restuffing may be the best option.

[Andrewausfa]

Aah, I thought that smiley was for the 1 in stock part of the sentence

Totally agree on Maplins and reading this members post from last year they seemed to have the same issue.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...65&postcount=1

Andrew

[IW232323]

I.S Electronics seem to have them in stock.

www.iselectronics.co.uk

[jonnybear]

Cpc farnell have alkaline pp7 in stock at £9.72, i normally use 6 x aa
in battery holder, works out a lot cheaper.

[Paul_RK]

I wonder if this is current http://www.espspecialbatteries.co.uk.../ESP-8-79-806A - GP PP7s at £2.64 each inclusive of VAT, delivery charge a bit high for small orders.

Paul

[woodchips]

Got an Ever Ready PP7 here FOC. Only 8.8V though, steel case. Weight 250g so postage £3.00.