[NJARC] RCA 4 Volt Battery

[Rich's Radios]

Darren,

  OK, now the 4 volts makes some sense. Presuming three mercury cells at 1.35 volts would yield ~4 volts. No thanks on the replacements. I just like the way this tiny shirtpocket radio displays (and it has the Nipper logo molded onto the back). 

  Rich Skoba

I though it was the fish that gave us mercury...
--
Looking for Cornell-Dubilier items...


-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: AMCMATADOR at aol.com
>
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> _______________________________________________
> HI,
> 
>   That battery is a Mercury battery,it is made up of I think PX-625 mercury 
> cells. As I recall the standard otuput of mercury cells is 1.35V, and they are 
> stacked, soldered together, and "shrink" wrapped in plastic (or cardboard) as 
> one 4 V battery. Mercury batteries have long been discontinued (begin violin 
> solo) due to enviornmental issues.Apparantly the batteries (or their contents) 
> were finding their way into waters and fish etc... There are alkaline 
> replacments, based on the familiar 1.5V alkaline cells. The voltage differs 
> slightly, 
> but for transistor radio purposes it is of little concern,as opposed to their 
> use in camera meters (where voltage is critical). Mercury batteries were less 
> prone to leakage, and lasted longer than zinc air types, but with the modern 
> alkalines, you wont notice much less of a life expectancy. Those batteries were 
> introduced in the very late 1950s and made up through the 90s. That being 
> said, alkaline replacments are available, and if you are interested, I actually 
> have some 80s production refrigerated mercury batteries, which are still 
> usable.(MAY have shorter life than original) 
> 
>                Darren 
> 
> 
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