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Elmer said to use three 9 volt batteries in series
for the B battery, so we'll make a box for them. |
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A paper box was made to test the template, which was then
transferred to thin cardboard. |
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The dotted lines have been lightly scored with
the utility knife. This took most of a Sunday morning. I have a new
respect for box designers.
While making this box, my back was hurting so bad I couldn't think
straight.
Two days before, I hurt my back while putting on my SOCKS. I woke up
that Friday morning, sat on the edge of the bed and began to put on
my socks. Suddenly, what felt like house current shot through my
lower back! I jolted upright and flew backwards onto the bed. Too
late, the damage was done in an instant. A few hours later I was in agony.
To make matters worse, my back seemed to be possessed! It wanted to incapacitate me. It was
like, "Oh, did you get comfortable making your stupid little battery
box? Well, take THIS!! And THIS!!!" as I became
paralyzed in indescribable torment.
"Do you need to cough? Try it. Now take
THIS!!" My back spasmed in blinding pain.
It took 15 minutes to walk 10 feet to the bathroom, and that is no
exaggeration. In the bathroom, the
torture got worse, but will not to be described
here.
This went on for a week. Every aspect of my life revolved around my
lower back. |
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Connecting the batteries and finishing the box. At least I
was productive, though I couldn't do much else at the time. |
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Battery box art was downloaded from the Internet and the
motto changed
to "Frodo Lives!" This
saying was made famous when it was found as graffiti in the subway of
New York City in 1965. Of course, the pronunciation of the word "LIVES"
is different, but the spelling is the same.
Notice the battery on the right was manufactured in Lothlorien. |
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The batteries were from the Dollar Store, so this
27 volt battery cost $1.50. Elmer would be pleased.
This box will also hold four 10.5 volt microphone batteries and
you'll have a 42 volt battery. (Excell A177, Duracell PC177A,
Eveready E177, Energizer EN177A.) However, the batteries will set
you back $22 plus shipping and the ghost of Elmer Osterhoudt will
appear in your dreams. (If this actually happens, please let me know
what he looks like.) The PDF file of the box is
here. |
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To the right of the 9 volt RAYOVAC are 12 volt batteries designated "23A." These
can be obtained from ebay for about 50¢ each.
Inside each one are eight LR44 button cells, so we're going to have 32
Chinese-made button cells in series. What could possibly go wrong?
The LR44 is also known as CR44, SR44, 357, SR44W, AG13, G13, A76,
A-76, PX76, 675, 1166a, LR44H, V13GA, GP76A, L1154, RW82B, EPX76,
SR44SW, 303, SR44, S303, S357, SP303, and SR44SW. |
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I didn't bother designing my own box. I just downloaded the
box art, printed it, glued it to a greeting card, and cut it out.
The lightning bolt in the fist reminded me of what was happening to my
lower back. |
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50 volts with no load. After an hour of use the voltage
dropped to 47 volts. The 23As were not designed for continuous use. |
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Another 45 volt battery. $2.50 to make it yourself, $30.00 if you
buy one from a "thief," as Elmer would say. Why didn't Elmer Osterhoudt make MRL "B"
batteries? He made everything else, and he sure made a lot of boxes.
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And now, without further ado, a demonstration of the
radio.
CAUTION: loud squealing
ahead! May be boring. Fast forward to the end for some shortwave. |
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