Ekco No2 A10Ekco No2 A10This unit, which is due to be refurbished may have been a support for an aspidistra ?
Maybe this dates from the first batch of E.K.Coles production run in 1926 ?
It's marked on the underside "Ins 1/1/1" and has an engraved serial number "77613" with the makers initials "ENIR". There is also an A.C. Mains selector panel for 200/210, 220/230 and 240/250 volts.
The small ebonite panel carries three sockets for NEG, 60 and 120/150 volts, the designation "A10" indicating maximum HT current, at the marked voltages, of 10mA.
Identically cased battery eliminators made by
Ekco but with different specifications, and completely different
mechanical interior layouts,
The one on the left, not marked with a model number, is a basic unit for a single HT voltage and may be a "Model 1". It has a small ebonite panel carrying two sockets marked, "+" and "-" and the serial number174598 engraved on the underside together with the maker's initials "RH" and the code "Tns 1/1/1". There is a wander plug, switchable between "H" and "L" to adjust the output voltage. A label indicates that it is designed for 230 volts A.C. MAINS 40/100 Cycles. The rectifier is mounted longitudinally in the case and is a 6 inch assembly of un-finned copper oxide disks.
The one on the right is the Model 3 F20 and has a "NEG" socket and three HT sockets marked, "S.G", "60" and 120/150". Underneath is an A.C. Mains selector for 200/210, 220/230 and 240/250, 40/100 cycles. This model uses a finned Westnghouse rectifier about4 inches long mounted transversely in the case. The "F20" indicates an HT current rating of 20mA.
Tucked inside the Umello Radio was this rare power supply unit
This device is marked "Permanent Charger"
and carries the Westinghouse Brake and Signal patent and license
information on the top.
Although it carries the input voltage 230 to 250 V AC it does not state its output voltage. The pair of terminals on the end are marked "Acc+" and "Acc-" and one must assume it's designed to charge a 2-volt radio accumulator. Radio sets were so expensive in the 20s and 30s that it was an economic option to keep a battery set running despite the high cost of batteries rather than scrap or sell it and buy a mains-powered set. Prior to AC or DC mains in the district, the accumulator, used for heating the valve filaments, had to be taken to the local cycle or radio shop for its regular charge. An HT supply was also needed. Most people used a dry battery providing between 90 and 120 volts or more and if one was quite rich a rechargeable HT battery was available. Once a mains supply was available a battery eliminator could be purchased in place of the HT battery, and also one of these chargers for the accumulator. The latter was not so important because it was quite cheap to carry the accumulator off for charging for a few pence.
A few of the better battery eliminators also included a charger for the accumulator. This feature could only be used when the set was switched off as the low voltage had lots of ripple making a very loud hum.
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