Battery Eliminator
Maker and role
National Company Incorporated, Manufacturer
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1978.338
Production period
Description
A National battery eliminator, type B7180. Black metal, rectangular in shape with angled surfaces below top surface for control panel. Control panel contains 5 dials and 4 semi-circular switches. Ventilation holes in each side. Power cord extends from centre-back of eliminator.
Components of eliminator include: transformer sealed in compound to make it silent, a type 80 rectifier valve, smoothing condensers sealed in compound, voltage divider with a resistance of 11,000 ohms and adjustable tappings for 22 ~ 45, 67 + or -, 90 + or -, and 180 or less volts. These are adjusted on the front control panel.
Components of eliminator include: transformer sealed in compound to make it silent, a type 80 rectifier valve, smoothing condensers sealed in compound, voltage divider with a resistance of 11,000 ohms and adjustable tappings for 22 ~ 45, 67 + or -, 90 + or -, and 180 or less volts. These are adjusted on the front control panel.
Brief History
A battery eliminator is a device powered by an electrical source other than a battery, which then converts the source to a suitable DC (direct current) voltage.
In the early days of radio, or wireless as it was known then, the valves inside the radio were supplied with direct current from batteries. Few homes in the 1920s were wired for appliances such as radios. Rather than plugging a radio into a wall socket, 2-3 batteries were required, known in North America as A, B & C batteries. In the United Kingdom, however, A batteries were known as LT or low tension and B batteries were known as HT or high tension batteries.
The B batteries were bulky and expensive and the B battery eliminator was developed to eliminate the need for this battery.
The National Radio Company which had its headquarters in Malden, Massachusetts, USA was an American manufacturer of radio equipment from 1914 to 1991. By the 1920s the company began to manufacture radio components which then became the focus of the company's production.
In the early days of radio, or wireless as it was known then, the valves inside the radio were supplied with direct current from batteries. Few homes in the 1920s were wired for appliances such as radios. Rather than plugging a radio into a wall socket, 2-3 batteries were required, known in North America as A, B & C batteries. In the United Kingdom, however, A batteries were known as LT or low tension and B batteries were known as HT or high tension batteries.
The B batteries were bulky and expensive and the B battery eliminator was developed to eliminate the need for this battery.
The National Radio Company which had its headquarters in Malden, Massachusetts, USA was an American manufacturer of radio equipment from 1914 to 1991. By the 1920s the company began to manufacture radio components which then became the focus of the company's production.
Marks
National / Type B 7180 / 230 Volts 50-60 Cycles / Manufactured by / National Co. Inc., Malden, Mass, U.S.A. / The National B is licensed / Under R.C.A. patents Maker's Plate
Media/Materials
Credit Line
National Company Incorporated. Battery Eliminator, 1978.338. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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