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Old 4th May 2022, 9:23 am   #1
Vinichum
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Default Which battery for this vintage torch?

Can anyone tell me which battery type I need for this old torch and if I can still get one?

Thanks.
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Old 4th May 2022, 9:34 am   #2
SeanStevens
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

I cannot tell you the number - but they are available in France (although that is not very helpful)

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Old 4th May 2022, 9:35 am   #3
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

LR1


?

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=...ECAEQPw&adurl=

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Old 4th May 2022, 9:35 am   #4
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

Don't know about this particular torch but a lot of torches of that sort of shape use the flat 4.5 V batteries like this one .

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/speci...teries/7904697

Cheers

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Last edited by Cobaltblue; 4th May 2022 at 9:36 am. Reason: crossed with Sean
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Old 4th May 2022, 9:38 am   #5
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

Sometimes the brass strip terminals of these batteries have to be bent back into a 'V' shape to suit the contacts in the torch.
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Old 4th May 2022, 9:52 am   #6
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

If you could open the torch with a picture of the inside connections, this would help to identify which battery it could be.

Christopher Capener
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Old 4th May 2022, 9:57 am   #7
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

I'd agree, the LR1 4.5v battery. I had one of those torches when I was a child.
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Old 4th May 2022, 10:49 am   #8
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

Used to be called a 1289. J.
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Old 4th May 2022, 11:15 am   #9
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

There are adaptor packs intended to replicate the 4.5v battery, they can hold three AA cells i believe, but inevitably they have been found by at least one user to be marginally oversize and needed attack with a Dremel. For the cost it's probably worth a go from eBay or Amazon or wherever.

If you want batteries to last really well, LED lamps are now available for retro fitting into old torches. The ones I bought even manage to make full use of the reflector.

(Additional- having input '4.5v battery' on Google, it's showing what I believe to be the correct batteries, available off the shelf. Have a look and see if the terminals and size match up.)

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Old 4th May 2022, 11:24 am   #10
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

Like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Energizer-U...61254780&psc=1

Very French, as people have already said. Quite popular in imported bike lights until the 1990s.
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Old 4th May 2022, 11:28 am   #11
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

Search for LR1 seems to give a 1.5V single cell. This torch takes a 4.5V 3LR12 (also known as MN1203) as shown in the RS link given by Mike T (Cobaltblue).
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Old 4th May 2022, 11:34 am   #12
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...6&d=1477871898

Lawrence.
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Old 4th May 2022, 11:47 am   #13
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

A flat 4.5 volt battery that contains three cells side by side.
Known as MN1203 or as 3LR12. Flexible flat brass strips as terminals.

Readily available from many sources, in both zinc carbon and alkaline types, alkaline recommended for longer run time.
Used not only in the torch illustrated but also in some modern head torches and in Continental cycle lamps. UK cycle lamps tended to use a 3 volt battery, type 800.

Converters are available to use 3 cells each AA size, but the correct battery is IMHO a better choice as it has a greater capacity.

If you intend to use the torch regularly, rather than keep it as a collectible, then a modern LED bulb is worthwhile.
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Old 4th May 2022, 3:17 pm   #14
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

That was an excellent Torch in it's day.
Probably because it had the advantage of 4.5 Volts
where most of the other Torches available were only
1.5 or 3 Volt.

I have the exact same one knocking about somewhere,
but was branded Ever Ready.
Must be 45 odd years old now.

As has been said, definitely a 4.5 Volt Lantern Battery
as they used to be called.

Still widely available, but do seem to be made in France
for some reason. Probably because we don't make anything
anymore!



Ian
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Old 4th May 2022, 4:53 pm   #15
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

Old lady customer. Have you got a FLAT battery?
No Madam, I only sell charged ones..

I used to catch out my 'Golden Girls' with that one.

Constructed with 3 X U10 1.5v in series. Good for a torch of it's day but use was limited to intermittent due to rapid battery consumption. I think the bulb in the torch was .3A Being all plastic it was ideal for the TV repair guy.

As mentioned the French used it with practically everything. The export radios had a specially made battery compartment to take two of them. Other than the PP3 the PP range including of course the PP9 was virtually unobtainable outside Britain. I have never heard it called a flat lantern battery but the name may vary in different locations. The 996 was always called a LB. A few of my anorak pictures for your enjoyment. John.
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Old 4th May 2022, 5:56 pm   #16
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

The torch is the same type that the man from the LEB had when he came to read our parents’ meter when I was a toddler in the 1970s!
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Old 4th May 2022, 7:45 pm   #17
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

Those batteries are also used in some test gear. I have a Robin low ohm resistance meter that uses two. I had no problem buying them just a couple of years ago.

EDIT: in this thread https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=144063
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Old 4th May 2022, 7:56 pm   #18
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

Back in the 60's I had a Philips open flash unit that used this battery,you had to touch one of the legs to the case to fire the bulb.I don't think there was a cap in it.Les
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Old 4th May 2022, 8:08 pm   #19
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

Thank you everyone!
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Old 5th May 2022, 8:28 am   #20
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Default Re: Which battery for this vintage torch?

Not forgetting the old AVO 7 that used a pair of these.
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