[NJARC] Switching Supplies

[Robert Bennett]

Edward -
                  A few years back with some advise from my Uncle who at the
time worked for a company that built switching supplies, I built a
"switcher" to use on my Zenith transoceanic portables. I had high
expectations for something reliable, and long lasting. After spending
several weeks getting the parts and assembling it, it worked great! However,
the life of the batteries were considerably shorter than I would have hoped.
The trans-o uses a 9 Volt "A" and a 90 Volt "B" to run, and my switcher used
10 "D" cells to operate. I just about was able to run it for about 10 hours
at normal volume. I've had considerably longer playing time just using
separate "A" and "B" batteries in different sizes and configurations. The
larger the cells you can fit in the radio, the longer it will work. So
besides the considerations that Al previously mentioned, this will be a
factor as well. After all, any tube portable playing with a "homebrew"
battery pack is just too cool!

Good luck and have fun!

Bob Bennett