PP-1578A Dosimeter Charger (ca. 1960s-1970s)

The Defense Atomic Support Agency’s 1966 List of Military and Civil Defense Radiac Devices describes the PP 1578A as an “electrostatic Charger for all U.S Army quartz fiber self-reading dosimeters. With suitable adapters can charge UK dosimeters.” This particular instrument has an Air Force designation ( USAF 20373) and is marked “For Training Only.”  The 1987 version of the List makes no mention of the PP 1578A which appears to have been superceded by the battery powered  PP-4276.

In use, the charger would be positioned on a flat surface while the end of the dosimeter was connected  to the charging contact on the top of the unit. The charger would be oriented so that sufficient ambient light was reflected through the prism on the front of the charger to illuminate the dosimeter scale.  The charge (i.e., the position of the hairline on the scale) was controlled by turning the paddle-wheel like knob on the side of the unit: clockwise to increase the charge or counter clockwise to decrease it.  

This example was produced by the Victoreen Instrument Company, Jordan Div. of Alhambra California .  Landsverk also manufactured the PP 1578Al.

Size: 2 1/8” x 3 1/8” x  1 7/8”

Weight: ca. 4 oz.

Price: $14 in 1966.

Donated by Ron Kathren.

References

Defense Atomic Support Agency’s 1966 List of Military and Civil Defense Radiac Devices, DASA 1243 Revised, 1966.  

Department of the Navy Directory of Radiac Equipment, NAVSHIPS 94200.5, ca. 1961-62.

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