[ARC5] [Milsurplus] SCR-183 and -283 junction boxes

[Kludge]

-----Original Message-----
From: milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike Hanz
>> Ummm ... they ran out of aluminum while they were building the prototype?
> Perhaps. :-) They all appear to be made that way.  Of course, there are 
> other inexplicable anomalies as well, including still using 1936 Ford 
> ash trays nine years later.

If these were the ones used in planes like the B-17, then it's because they
already were contracted from Ford so only needed to extend the contract.
Warbird Parts has ones from North American and Lockheed aircraft which I'll
be using for my own nefarious purposes.

>> Taking this a step further, though, how many wooden radio shelves have 
>> you encountered? 
> Well, off the top of my head, a lot of them, if you include "operating 
> desk" in the definition of "radio shelf".  

Actually I only meant the shelves upon which radios were mounted like the
ones that supported the various command units.  

> Transmitters don't like being 
> on wood from a bonding and ground plane standpoint, but receivers don't 
> seem to mind nearly as much, 

Interesting.  The ones I encountered in civilian aircraft had the
transmitters as well but there were also heavy bonding braids attached to
the airframe which was close at hand.  In a good number of them that
airframe was fabric covered welded tubing, the largest of which was a Cessna
Bobcat (aka: Bamboo Bomber), so it probably didn't make a lot of difference.
For most of the rest, the airframes were aluminum and the fuselage sheet
metal was only inches away so probably provided somewhat of a ground plane
despite the distance.  Something upon which to ponder.

> and it makes a nice writing surface. 

Most definitely!  

> B-29, B-17, B-25, B-26 (ask Breck K4CHE about his beautiful "Flak Bait" 
> replica position if you get a chance), PBY4Y-2...well, you get the 
> idea.  Wood is an amazing material.  It's one of the reasons that I used 
> it in the "flight deck" bays here at AAFRadio.

My shop is such that I'm better set up to do small machining (as in
watchmaker's lathe and Unimat) and light woodwork.  Rather happily I enjoy
both since they are most useful for the purposes of creating bitzenpieces
for my own equipment.  I have some African Blackwood that would be a decent
visual substitute for the black Bakelite used in the single screw terminal
strips although they wouldn't have barriers between the terminals.  I think
I can relieve that by having wiring come from both sides of the strips
rather than just one side but I won't know until I apply more ponderage.  

Speaking of which, I can't remember where I saw those largish 50 amp fuses
recently but where ever it was also had the holders.  It wasn't one of the
DIY places but somewhere unexpected.  

I still need some (A lot, sadly) of cable ends - the parts I can't make -
for the tuning cables for the Type K-derived and Type 12 equipment although
I have a couple rather long cables that I can slice & dice to fit for a
Model D-derived system.  (I made a PDF of the instructions you have on your
site. :-) )  

>> A few strategically placed decals
>> from your laser printer and a few truss head screws and it will look
>> very retro.
> Decals?  What sort of decals?

> As to what to put on them, anything you like - they usually identify 
> what the junction box is connected to, and/or what station in the 
> aircraft it is installed in, as well as other pertinent information that 
> would be useful for maintenance.  

In looking at the metal one on your site, I noticed the one on the inside
shows the connections but by what I assume is wire number rather than
destination.  I'm thinking that using the connector ID or cable number and
terminal number might be of greater benefit.  

> I'm sure a creative person like 
> yourself can create some interesting labels...heh, heh...

*evil snicker* ... you mean like the ones planned for the truck?
Bwaaahahaha

> I mentioned decals more as a knee jerk reaction 
> since that's what they used back in the day, but whatever looks halfway 
> authentic... that junction box in the Enola Gay that I linked also has 
> some sheet metal add-ons that might be interesting to adopt in some way 
> where useful, and that small panel on the right is clearly a part of the 
> junction box.  It's all about where your imagination leads you.

It might be a cool way to make the fuses more accessible while leaving the
larger part of the cover attached.  More ponderation is indicated.  :-)

>> Hmmm ... has real spar varnish gone over to the urethane side too?  If
not,
>> there are several marine supply houses here that still sell it.  It ain't
>> cheap but it's good.
> That's a good idea...some industry suppliers don't change products as 
> fast as Home Depot... :-)

Hopefully I can get down to Sand Island soon to check this out.  

>> Somewhere I saw some cast aluminum boxes that would be the right size for
>> this and weren't a whole lot of costly.  Coolness now would involve
>> remembering where.  :-/
> It occurs to me that I have seen very likely candidates at junk dealers 
> and industrial surplus dealers.  Dunno how many of those are in Hawaii, 
> but a little looking around might be useful...

I may be able to wrangle something at one of the scrap recyclers down near
the airport.  They don't usually sell but I may be able to play the
"disabled vet" card with some success ... especially after they see my
truck.  :-)

Best regards,
 
Michael, WH7HG ex-K3MXO, ex-KN3MXO, WPE3ARS, BL01xh ex-Mensa A&P PP BGI 
I am me.  I’m the only one who’s qualified.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/NTH/index.aspx
http://wh7hg.blogspot.com/
http://kludges-other-blog.blogspot.com
Hiki Nô!