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Round-pin power cords for older equipment using PH-163 connector

The round-pin power cords used on older Hewlett-Packard and Dolby equipment  uses a connector called the PH-163. I think I have enough to last me. I bought my last batch in the early 2000s.

As of 2024 these cords are becoming more and more difficult to find…but they still keep appearing in small quantities.

In April 2024, Kazuo Iwase contacted me (out of the blue) from Tokyo, Japan, saying he had just received a box of these cords. His contact information is below.

Thanks once again to Rick Chinn (In 2021), there still is a USA source. These have European connectors, bare ends, or non-molded NEMA 5-15P plugs attached. As of April 2024, this USA link is still active Use your browser’s search function (<ctrl> F) to find HP Oval.

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Rechargeable battery solutions 9V, AA, AAA

Battery technology continues to improve. In 2007, I bought some Sony fast-charge nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) AA cells and charger. They have worked well for digital cameras, electronic flashes, and a portable audio recorder. NiMH cells are available in major stores and some offer long-shelf-life-per-charge and come pre-charged.

Recently, I did a thorough search for 9 V rechargeable batteries for wireless microphones at church. I was pleased to discover that iPowerUS (they have a Toronto office) was able to provide lithium polymer 9 V batteries that far outperformed the available NiMH offerings. We bought one DC9V charger and eight DC9V-520mAh batteries for alternate use in four wireless transmitters that we use regularly. We expect this system to pay off in a year or less.

I also bought their GC-60 tester/charger for my NiMH AA and AAA cells which, so far, looks excellent. Both chargers come with a “wall wart” and a car cord.

See updates in this article.

Sony APR-5000 head assembly problem

I was having slightly intermittent connections on one head assembly on a Sony APR-5000 and was concerned as to the cause because the 78-pin head connectors are essentially unobtanium and a headache to change.

As I installed and de-installed the head, I got to thinking that the connector might not be positioned correctly (i.e. perhaps the wrong hardware had somehow found its way into the connector mounting system.

When I measured the bottom (oriented as if the head were mounted in the machine) face of the connector mounting flange referenced to the bottom of the mounting posts (using a straight-edge across two of them), I discovered that, indeed, this connector was recessed about 25 mils (0.025″) further into the head assembly than several other ones. Adding a 25-mil thick washer should solve the problem.

This is posted in case you’re scratching your head with a similar problem. This is something I wouldn’t have immediately thought of. I don’t know if this was caused by aftermarket work or if it perhaps represents a manufacturing error.