Radio Broadcast - 1927, May - 61 Pages, 4.9 MB ... - VacuumTubeEra

What About the A BatteryThe Importance of Balance in Trickle Charging Those Misleading"Statements About A Battery Elimination" Comparing the Methodsof Charging and Their Costs The Best Rate and When to ChargeBy EDGAR H. FELIXfails to function because of a APower is a term used to describeWith charging rates as high as two amperesgradually until the set at last comparatively few who manufacture such a device supplying B current also most simplicity and, by observingdischargeddevices which enable aSOCKETreceiving set to draw battery. In this case, unless the trickle charger available, the danger of grave overcharge,its power directly from the electric light has a high charging adjustment which permits resulting in quick destruction of the battery, ismains. To the uninformed enthusiast, it usually bringing back the battery from its discharged constantly present. On the other hand, a fewimplies a complete elimination of all the elements state to full charge quickly, it is difficult to restore hours a week with a high charging rate, and a lowof the power supply system which require care it to good working order without the assistance of trickle charge for the balance of the time, willand attention.a high-rate charger. When a user experiences a keep the battery in the best of condition.Socket power devices now on the market fall run-down A battery, he naturally increases the There are always occasions when a set is used aslightly short of accomplishing this desirable trickle charging rate to the maximum, which great deal for a few days for special reasons, andresult. They do, however, reduce to the very should bring the battery back to full efficiency in this case a higher charging rate istemporarilyminimum the care and attention required to in several days. But often, he considers such an necessary to bring the battery back to full charge.keep the receiver's power supply at full efficiency.experience as evidence that the charging rate The table on page 27 shows the chargingThe storage battery and rectifier, which should permanently be kept at maximum. For adjustments recommended by Philco. This tablethese devices invariably combine in a single a long time, perhaps even two or three months, gives the average number of hours a dayunit, do nevertheless require a little intelligent this rate gives satisfaction because the battery is a set may be used at various current drains andcare, and, given that care, are both reliable and always kept fully charged, but, sooner or later, the charging rates. For example, with a five-tube setconvenient.battery breaks down completely from prolonged used 3.02 hours a day, each tube drawing aThe most advanced types of socket power and continued overcharging, Active material quarter of an ampere, the trickle charger at theequipment comprise a charging device and storagestarts to fall out of the plates and, also, the speci-0.2 ampere adjustment will keep the battery upbattery so designed that the battery is left fic gravity of the electrolyte may rise to a high to full charge. If the set is used but two hours aon charge at a slow or trickle rate during the value and the distilled water of the solution day, the trickle charger should be shut off byentire time the set is not in use. Therefore the requires renewal every few days. Usually the removing the attachment plug occasionally sostorage battery is either discharging through the manufacturer is condemned for these misfortunes, that constant overcharging is avoided.tubes of the receiver or being charged by the while the cause issimply incorrect setting of the On the other hand, such a five-tube receivertrickle charger. Theoretically, the only attention trickle charging rate.may be used for twelve hours within two dayswhich must be given such socket power devices Different socket power devices use different because of some special broadcasting event,is the occasional addition of distilled water to combinations of charging rate. Philco, for example,and this would draw a total of fifteen amperethe storage battery and the trickle charger.has three adjustments, low, medium, and hours from the battery. For example, the setEven when turning on and off the set, it is not high, giving 0.2, 0.33, and o.6-ampere charging may be in use from eight o'clock until one a. m.necessary to think about the trickle charger connectionsrates respectively. Willard uses a low and a high on one evening and from six o'clock to one a. m.because, by the use of an automatic adjustment, giving 0.5 and 2.0 amperes, while on the next, drawing a total of fifteen amperedevice, the receiver's "on-off" switch disconnectsGould offers no less than five adjustments, 0.2 hours from the storage battery. Between thesethe charger when the switch is turned on, to 0.25 ampere, 0.275 to 0.320 ampere, o 350 to two periods of listening, and between the secondand connects it when in the "off" position. 0.425 ampere, 0.450 to 0.750 ampere, and 0.9 to period and a third period which we shall supposeWith most devices provision is also made for 1.5 amperes, according to line voltage.commences at eight o'clock on the thirdconnecting the power line to a Bevening, the battery is rechargedsupply device when the controlfor thirty-six hours at the lowswitch is in the "on" position.rate, which gives it back 7.2A minimum of attention is indeedampere hours. Now, if the cur-attained, provided that therent drain, after this experiencetrickle chargeis of the correctof twelve hours' use in two days,rate to offset the current drawnis continued at its normalwhen the set is used. But, alas,average for about three hoursthis condition of perfect balancedaily, and the normal chargingof input to output is not alwaysrate of 0.2 ampereis maintained,happily secured. Therefore thethe battery may never be restoredfilament current require mentsto full charge.of the receiver and the number ofUnderstanding these conditions,hours a dayit is used must beit is not difficult to under-determined fairly accurately, andstand the correct charging rate.the charging rate by the trickleEstimate the average needs ofcharger adjusted to meet them.your set in ampere drain andFor this reason, A power combinationshours of use and adjust the trickleare equipped with meanscharging rate recommended byof adjusting the trickle chargethe manufacturer for that load. Ifrate to suit the power requirementsyou depart from this average useof different receivingby extended use on special oc-sets.casions, use a higher chargingThe importance of balancingrate for a few days to counterbalanceit. On the other hand,charge and discharge becomesapparent when we consider theif the receiver is subject to longeffects of undercharge and overchargeRADIO BROADCAST Photograph periods of disuse, disconnect theupon the life and con-attachment plug for a few daysdition of the storage battery.A THREE-IN-ONE SOCKET POWER DEVICEwhen you estimate the batteryIf the trickle charge rate is tooCombining trickle charger, storage battery, and B power supply in one unit. Althoughmany manufacturers combining the first two in one unit, there These are operations of theto be in a fully charged condition.low, the battery voltage will fallut-