I just received a late 70's JVC 3050 TV/Radio box and it contained some very old D-cell batteries (Ray-o-Vac). I was able to determine through a logo search that these were probably the original batteries in this unit and were 30 years old. (They used this logo from 1970 through 1980, replace it in 1981) I removed them (surprisingly they had not leaked, just rusted a bit on the seam). HOWEVER I could not fit in 6 new Duracell D-cells. The would NOT fit length-wise. I just measured and the old batteries were 2 12/32" long and the new batteries are 2 14/32" long. These were loaded in two rows of three so the stack of old batteries were 3/16" shorter than the new ones. Enough to make it impossible to get them to fit in the compartment.

Has anyone else run into this? Was there ever an official spec change in D-cells??

WOW. As interesting is that is... it really kinda sucks... Now what will you do?

check your PM for the details --
or just dremel off a few spring rings to gain the 3/16"

No... the springs fully compress as it is (flat to the compartment) and there is no more room..., even if all the rings are removed.

I think I will have to take a hammer to the D-cells...

quote:

Originally posted by 71spud:
I could not fit in 6 new Duracell D-cells. Has anyone else run into this?

Yes, YES, and YES! I'm glad someone finally brought this up. I used to think it was me. D batteries today ARE bigger. Maybe all sizes are. I've never had the experience where I just couldn't make them fit in a boombox at all, but I've run into lots of situations where I've needed to crush the negative-end spring so flat that it felt like it was about to break off (probably because it was). I always suspected something was up with battery size these days. Now I know. Thanks, Spud!!

P.S. Did you ever notice how beds in the old days were shorter, too? It's not just batteries that've been getting bigger over the years without anyone telling us.

spud --if you really want to run it on batteries --
then use C cells --add enough pennies to make up the 1/2 inch lenghth difference --and shim the sides with anything

it will work - promise

I have no more pennies!!! So ~that~ won't work....

no problem -
use your parking meter slugs.

or gold fillings

I checked on the ANSI spec's for D-cells (ANSI C18.1M, Part 1-2001)

Length (max) is 61.5mm (2.421 inches)
Length (min) is 59.5mm (2.343 inches)

My measurments (via a cheap, but pretty accurate gauge)--

Old is 2.375 (2 12/32)
New is 2.4375 (2 14/32)

You can see the old batteries were on the lower end of the specs, and the new ones are larger than "allowable". If I had a more accurate digital gauge I would measure all 6 of each and post an average.... if I get ahold of one I will do that. But from what I can tell they are all pretty close to the same.

I wonder what the specs were before 2001...

spud those old batteries may be worth some money so dont throw them out just yet

At first I had thrown them in my waste basket by my desk, but I fished them out to check on the age... now I am keeping them. They really are in pretty good shape, and if they have not leaked yet.

Hi-Let me guess:Ray-O-Vac Energy Cells (alkaline)
I had them in 1978' and I still have some-do they work??
Yes!!
I collect all sorts of junk!
These were the best batteries of the 70's-period!
Yes Duracell's were called Mallory's back then!
They were very,very good back then to.
Just don't get the Everyready "Cats"-weak! short-life!
Show us a photo of these if you can.
Thanks-GB.