Oldham CVG3, 2 volt accumulator valve wireless filament supply, circa 1935 – rare
Oldham CVG3, 2 volt accumulator valve wireless filament supply, circa 1935 – rare
I had hoped to be able to bring this lovely little 2 volt accumulator back to life and share my restoration story with you.
An unmitigated disaster!
My intention was to restore this accumulator to its former glory.
To this end, after flushing out the cell several times, and disposing of the old electrolyte, I filled the cell up with fresh dilute sulphuric acid, and topped it up with de-ionized water.
After an attempt at charging it up, I quickly discovered that the cell was short-circuited.
So it had to come out
But the old bitumen had gone rock hard over many years, so I attempted to use my Hot air SMD rework station to try and melt the bitumen away; but it would not touch it!
I resorted to applying a gentle flame… from my blowlamp
Part of the old Bakelite cover fell off; but as I could feel the cell begining to rise out of the jar, I pressed on thinking that success was in sight…
Then it happened…
There was a sudden crack! And my heart sank like a lead balloon!
Lessons to be learned
Oldham CVG3, 2 volt accumulator valve wireless filament supply, circa 1935 – rare
Yes, lessons…
Never apply heat, especially to old glass: it just can’t take temperature variations like most modern glass can.
Better to chisel away with a toothpick and use no force whatsoever, than to end up as I did.
If you think it’s one of those off days (we all get them), do not proceed to do any restoration work – it could go pear-shaped!
What now?
I think the following sums it up nicely:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Wishful thinking perhaps, but I’ve put the little accumulator on the shelf and will attempt repairs another day!
Dorian.
You may like to check out the following website on the CVG3 accumulator:
https://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10252522
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[whohit] Oldham CVG3, 2 volt accumulator, valve wireless filament supply, circa 1935 – rare [/whohit]