PP9 Batteries

[Dave Moll]

Somewhere I have a Pifco lantern-type torch that uses one. I also find them quite useful for providing 6V or 12V (two in series) for manual exchange equipment, though that's hardly mainstream! Even less mainstream is removing the plastic casing and using the individual cells to re-stuff old field telephone batteries.

[G6Tanuki]

Those 996 batteries are used in some electric fence units,and also more relevant to the Forum , the likes of the Roberts R707 - though my 707 has been reworked to take a 12V 4.5A SLA battery which lasts a few weeks between recharges.

[Paul_RK]

I last bought a pair of 996s a year or two back on our flea market, to give a Decca TP22 and TT33 some exercise - the first Decca transistor set, in portable and table versions, using a pair of the batteries as does the R707. Philips' portable slot record player uses a 996 too, but, yes, none of these will be found in many households in 2023.

Paul

[wireless_john]

I've given up buying them now, they're so difficult to get hold of, not to mention the expense. I've removed the innards of a few and replaced them with a battery holder that takes 6 x AA batteries. I find that 12 x Kodak alkaline AA batteries from Poundland lasts for ages in my two Hackers.

John

[Richard_FM]

I've heard 2 PP3s connected in parallel are a suitable substitute.

[Reelman]

I notice that “C” & “D” cells seem to be getting rarer on the shelves as well.

Peter

[wireless_john]

Originally Posted by Richard_FM

I've heard 2 PP3s connected in parallel are a suitable substitute.

If you use battery holders inside the PP9 shells that connect with a PP3 style connector, you then have the choice of using 6 x AA in each one or a PP3.

John

[Richard_FM]

Originally Posted by wireless_john

If you use battery holders inside the PP9 shells that connect with a PP3 style connector, you then have the choice of using 6 x AA in each one or a PP3.

John

Yes that's right, thanks for letting me know.

[Techman]

Lincoln Wilco had them in stock when I was last in there a week ago today. I don't really need any as I usually fit 'AA' cells inside them when they run down, but did buy one seeing as they're on offer - it'll make another one to fit AAs into when it's run out.

[McMurdo]

CPC show the PP6,PP8 and PP9 in stock althoug the first two are somewhat pricey. (listed as suitable for vintage radios )

[winston_1]

Read on the BBC News that Wilko may go into administration soon. Better stock up while you can.

[G6Tanuki]

Originally Posted by winston_1

Read on the BBC News that Wilko may go into administration soon. Better stock up while you can.

Or wait until the Receivers implement an 'anything goes, we need to be out of here by Saturday' clearance sale so that they can hand back the leases to the landlords without any legacy stock on premises...

[Nickthedentist]

Originally Posted by winston_1

Read on the BBC News that Wilko may go into administration soon. Better stock up while you can.

That’s really sad. Definitely the most useful high street shop for me. I’ve noticed that swathes of stuff has been out of stock for months which made me suspicious.

[G6Tanuki]

Wilko had one of their biggest credit guarantee insurance providers delist them a while back, meaning that suppliers imposed severe limits on the amount of goods that they would supply up front without payment.

That's pretty much the death knell for a high turnover business like Wilko, they need to have a credit line with suppliers.

Same happened with Maplin, once word gets round that you are derated as a credit risk your suppliers start demanding cash up front payment. Which if you already have a liquidity problem just makes it worse.

[andrewn]

Halfords sell PP9 batteries. I noticed they had some in my local store. https://www.halfords.com/baby-and-ch...tory=undefined

[Techman]

Originally Posted by winston_1

Wilko may go into administration soon.

Yes, I heard this bad news earlier today!

Only three shops worth going into Lincoln for (in no particular order) Wilco, Poundland and J. Birkett!

[Stuart R]

For the whole time this thread's been running, the two Wilkinsons nearest to me have only kept one PP9 on their shelves, priced at £4.00. They have probably sat there for months.

When I visited yesterday, my local store has finally marked them down to £2.50. Of course the battery has gone!

I've got a 1970s copy of Practical Electronics where a PP9 was dismantled and rebuilt with a small transformer inside to be used as a battery eliminator, so maybe it's worth keeping a few dead ones?

Wilkinson's was my go-to shop on most visits to town, but has become less useful over the last couple of years: I'd always pop in for 12V bulbs, much cheaper than buying emergency ones from a petrol station and they were 'Ring' branded. They no longer sell these bulbs, but the space has been filled with novelty air-fresheners in a wide range of colours(!)

The hardware pick-and-mix was completely empty yesterday.

Shame.

SR

[Nickthedentist]

Their tools were also excellent value for money. In particular, I have a little scraper which has proven invaluable and indestructible, and some tack removers which are great for removing clock hands.

When Wilko have been out of stock recently, I've gone to Robert Dyas, but the prices are frequently literally double.

[Bazz4CQJ]

I was in the local Wilko 2 hours before the news broke. They did not have either of the two items I wanted. As above, I would be very sorry to see them go, but if you asked how much I spend in there in a year, it's peanuts. I'm 7 miles outside of town, and use online so very much. Got next-day delivery by FedEx free on a £26 item this week - would not have got the same item in town at that price Usually get my 9V's in Poundland, for better of for worse.

B

[Paul Stenning]

Can we stick to sources of PP9 batteries and alternative options, rather than the possible sad demise of Wilko, please.