Milsurp communication nutz - help with Telephone Set D Mk III

[myenfield]

I have a couple of these old British "field telephone" sets. I am going to be putting on a military display in July and I would love to be able to power these old girls up and set them up at opposite sides of the room for people to try out. The "Telephone Set D MkIII" has both a telephone styled handset for voice and a morse key. From what I have been able to find online, it looks like they run on a pair of "S" or "X" dry cell batteries, so I think a 3V DC source should power them up. Have any of you done this before? I would like to make sure I don't let the magic smoke out of these phones if at all possible. I was also wondering about powering both of them from a single DC source. By the way, here is a link to an online copy of the manual.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/48645963/Telephone-set-D-Mk-III-1926-STV3-P1

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Rule 303]

"X" cells, being very old carbon-zinc battery technology, are virtually unobtainium.

By soldering two "D" cells in the proper polarity will give you the required 3V supply, as well as physically fitting into the battery box.

I've done this several times for display purposes, as you intend to do.

 

[37patt]

You can also try the battery plastic battery holders for 2 D cell batteries. I think I found mine at Radio Shack (yes, I know how badly that dates me). They come with wires already attached to the holder so all you have to do is attach it to the phone leads.

They also fit inside the battery box. Good luck.

 

[myenfield]

I agree, X or S cells are not going to be available. I have a variable DC supply that I was hoping to use to avoid replacing the batteries. One concern I have is powering both of these phones from the same supply. I want to make sure there are no issues if they are sharing a common ground point, but I don't suppose that will be a problem.

I have made many, many purchases at Radio Shack over the years. It was a good place, especially since I didn't live close to the city to pick up odd ball parts.