Radio broadcast .. (1922-30)

Record Details:

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-j^ OF A B BATTERY First, the zinc case; next, the core in the case; then, the top of the core is sealed, after the electrolyte has been poured in; and finally, the insulating wrapper THE HISTORY OF A ZINC CASE Which forms the exterior of one of the fifteen units of a B battery. Presses reduce the diameter of the cap until it reaches the size shown at the right THE CENTER OF THE CELL The "mix" of black substance in the cell is compressed mechanically and then the core is driven into it. When the core and "mix" are thus united, the whole is wrapped tightly with cheese cloth The Anatomy of the B Battery WE BUY what is called a B battery, connect it to our set, use it until it is "low" or "dead," discard it, and get another which will deliver the necessary voltage. We know that it is heavy and more or less foolproof, and contains a number of cylindrical cells, with "chemicals" inside them. But do we ask ourselves how they are built and tested and what the "chemicals" are? B batteries are carefully made. They are put through long tests to determine their life. Every bit of material which goes into them has passed the chemical board of review in the factory — a nd there are no more critical souls than the chemists. Your B battery of 22.5 volts contains fifteen little cells, each with a voltage of 1.5. These fifteen cells are connected in series. And while there are other sized cells on the market, the process of manufacture is about the same. First, the zinc case is stamped out. When this is completed, the carbon core is made. Then it is wrapped with a certain grade of cheesecloth, and capped with a bit of shiny brass. The breath of life to a dry cell is manganese dioxide ore, graphite, sal ammoniac and zinc chloride — the gelatinous electrolyte. Paraffin is used liberally in cell manufacture to keep moisture out and for its value as an insulator. The carbon cores are dipped in paraffin, as are the washers used in the cell interior. The finished core and the finished zinc can are ready for assembly. The core, even with its winding of cheese cloth has plenty of space between it and the zinc casing. This space is where the electrolyte is placed. It is the electrochemical action between the carbon core and the zinc case, aided by the half-damp electrolyte between, (which is put in by compression hammers) that causes a voltage to be developed between the zinc and carbon terminals of the cell. EACH UNIT MUST PASS THIS METER Only cells which measure up to the proper open-circuit voltage and the proper short-circuit amperage go into B batteries