[NJARC] plastic battery tubes

[Bill Zukowski]

As the plastic just naturally contracts around the batteries (no need to 
clamp or tie it), the thin solvent glue easily seeps into the 
overlapping edges, essentially melting the edges together. Seems allot 
easier than heating and applying a band.  Using the batteries as "mold" 
makes the perfect tight fit, yet still allows the batteries to be 
removed and replaced.

Actually the tube is 8 feet, 96".  A D cell is apx. 2.5" which means 
about 38 batteries which add up to 57 volts.  Not the most efficient way 
to pack the batteries, kind of unwieldy, and difficult to carry around.

Bill



On 9/15/2016 6:04 PM, oldradio at comcast.net wrote:
> Hi Bill,
>
> If after you split them, hit them with some heat (hairblower) and put a band around them, slightly smaller than a D battery.  After cooling take off the band and they will hold the batteries even better.
>
> Congrats to all on this substitute.
>
> I wonder if you take the entire 48" length and fill it with batteries, what the voltage would be?
>
> 73, John
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Zukowski" <n2yeg at optonline.net>
> To: "NJARC" <NJARC at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2016 5:35:37 PM
> Subject: Re: [NJARC] plastic battery tubes
>
> Just remember
> Reply = Poster
> Reply All = Everyone
>
> _________________________________________________________
>
> Looked at the T12 guard tubes, but they were about 1/4 inch loo large
> (ID).  Went home disappointed, but then while explaining my plight to a
> friend, I had an epiphany.
>
> After cutting the tube to the correct length, 6 1/2 inches, I cut the
> tube lengthwise, from end to end, and the tube contracted.  So I
> inserted 3 batteries, and the natural tension of the plastic closed
> around the batteries.  Applied some solvent type glue that seeped
> between the surfaces and that was it!
>
> Trimmed the edges with a scissor, and it looks almost factory.  The 8
> foot tube was about $5, so at 6 1/2 inches per tube, I can make 14
> tubes.  A guy on ebay is selling the battery tubes for about $20.  So,
> if I charge only $10 each, that's $140!  A profit of $135!!
>
> Don't attempt this, I have a patent pending.
>
>
>
>
> On 9/13/2016 7:12 PM, Bill Zukowski wrote:
>   > Just remember
>   > Reply = Poster
>   > Reply All = Everyone
>   >
>   > _________________________________________________________
>   >
>   >
>   > Thanks everyone.  The fluorescent guard tubes sounds like a plan.
>   >
>   > On 9/13/2016 5:47 PM, islandradiosvc--- via NJARC wrote:
>   >> Just remember
>   >> Reply = Poster
>   >> Reply All = Everyone
>   >>
>   >> _________________________________________________________
>   >>
>   >>
>   >> I have used the guard tubes they sell for T-12 lamps , I believe you
> can get them in Home Depot...  You can cut them down to size, and they
> are not expensive..
>   >>
>   >>
>   >>
>   >> In a message dated 9/13/2016 5:13:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> n2yeg at optonline.net writes:
>   >>
>   >>     Just remember
>   >>     Reply = Poster
>   >>     Reply All = Everyone
>   >>
>   >>     _________________________________________________________
>   >>
>   >>
>   >>
>   >>
>   >>     Looking for plastic tubes to hold three D cells in holder.
> Working on a Zenith R-1000 with nine batteries that won't stay in the
> holder (need 3 tubes).
>   >>
>   >>     Did the usual Google search to no avail.  Did find some on ebay
> however - at $18.95 each!
>   >>
>   >>     Any ideas?
>   >>
>   >>     Thanks, Bill
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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