Oldham R and S batteries · AditNow Community

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simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

11 years ago

Idle curiosity 🙂 Has anybody got / ever seen Oldham R and S batteries?

The R is - I think - the precursor to the T, largely similar in appearance and construction.

The S is an odd one. I got sent a photo of one this week. It was produced about 10 years ago, is a lead-acid battery in a yellow tapered case that looks like a cross between an L and a T. Anybody ever seen one?

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

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Graigfawr
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

Used R types for years. Much easier to maintain than T types. Ceag and Exide / Chloride continued to make waht seemed to be R type clones for a long time after Oldham went over to t types. The only material diffeence was the number and spacing of prongs on the tool used to open the casing to top up the electrolyte - plus arcane differences in how many degrees to lean the case forwards or backwards to gauge the correct electrolyte level.

R type cases (along with the Ceag and Exide / Chloride cells) were ideal for 16ah Nicad conversions, something that was impossible with T types.

When I first started I encountered the occasional even older Oldham types but offhand I can't recall their letter designations.

One early trip was done with a 1948 vintage stainless steel bodied Nife cell.

Anyone recall what the red Oldhams were designated? T-something I think.

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

11 years ago

Thanks.

Never seen a red battery.was that the same case as the T?

The guy who asked me about the S type cell, i'll see if he is OK with me uploading a photo.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

"SimonRL" wrote:
Idle curiosity 🙂

The S is an odd one. I got sent a photo of one this week. It was produced about 10 years ago, is a lead-acid battery in a yellow tapered case that looks like a cross between an L and a T. Anybody ever seen one?

I think I might have on in my pile
Are they collectable?

My avatar is a poor likeness.

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

11 years ago

Collectible.. Possible I suppose, amongst lamp fans 😉

I was just curious since i had somebody query one and I had never heard of it.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

I had a red one at one point in time, can still remember the round ended clear windows for checking electrolyte level. Also seem to remenber the windows had a few prism ridges moulded in to clarify liquid level.

somersetminer
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

"SimonRL" wrote:

The S is an odd one. I got sent a photo of one this week. It was produced about 10 years ago, is a lead-acid battery in a yellow tapered case that looks like a cross between an L and a T. Anybody ever seen one?

think I know the one you mean, had a tapered case and a moulded plastic foot on the bottom, possibly bakelite casing (really indicates age!)

exspelio
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

Got some old R types somewhere (much to the spouses dismay), got both Oldham and Exide, the filler plug on the Oldham was about 1" dia, with two tool holes in it, the Exide a little larger with 3.
The red model was the original type T iirc, the first Oldham to have open filler holes and belt hoops moulded on rather than the seperate metal clip.

If I can dig them out sometime, I'll take a few piccies, didn't realise they were curiosities.

Got some old metal NiFe's somewhere as well, a few two cell ones I got from the fire service, never seen those anywhere else before.

Always remember, nature is in charge, get it wrong and it is you who suffers!.

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

"exspelio" wrote:

Got some old metal NiFe's somewhere as well, a few two cell ones I got from the fire service, never seen those anywhere else before.

There were a few about in the 70s with surplus (caving supplies?)NiCad 20 Ah cells fitted.

exspelio
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#10

I know the ones you mean , but these where different, remember the CEAG units with four cells, about 1" square 6" (ish) long, these where half the width with two long cells, I'll dig them out and photo them.

Always remember, nature is in charge, get it wrong and it is you who suffers!.

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#11

Now that your description jogs my memory, yes. As you say a rare item.

exspelio
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#12

Are there people out there that would pay for these? is it worth me mining under the workshop and cellar benches to retrieve them?, I have also recently rescued a 14 unit Oldham charging rack, Anyone want it?

Always remember, nature is in charge, get it wrong and it is you who suffers!.

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#13

One never knows how things will sell, I put two Ball & Peg lamps on Ebay and they sold for £128 and £132! Depends if it's someones 'must have'.

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