Balkite Electrolyte Rectifier Transformer RS86

• alternative name: Balkeit || First National
• Brand: Overtone

From 1920 to 1930 electrolyte rectifiers fed by an AC power line were used in association with a capacitor as a substitute for a B Battery in radios or in battery chargers.

Electrolyte rectifiers work based on the principle that AC current between two different electrodes immersed in an acid solution flows preferably in one direction.

Edgar W. Eagle, working for the chemical company Fansteel Products Company, Inc., of North Chicago, Illinois, USA, filed a patent on 7^th of January of 1927 (U.S. patent  nr. 1680210), introducing some improvements in electrolyte rectifier.

The main improvements are: type of electrodes, electrolyte solution and addition of cobalt (salt or metal in concentration < 3%) achieving the property of long duration of electrodes and electrolyte solution maintaining it clear and transparent.

The aluminum or tantalum electrode of Electrolyte cell is externally connected to terminal named Balkite; cell lead electrode is connected to the (-)  terminal of battery to be charged. Positive terminal of the battery is connected to terminal (+) of RS86.

Here you find 131 models, 74 with images and 61 with schematics for wireless sets etc. In French: TSF for Télégraphie sans fil.
All listed radios etc. from Fansteel Products (Pfanstiehl, Pfansteihl, Balkite, Balkeit); Chicago