The “baccy tin lid” (bottom) makes it easy for quick voltage or current checks on cylindrical cells (AAA, AA, C, D); simply hold the positive tip of the cell against the plate using one hand and connect the black test lead to the base of the cell with the other. You no longer need three hands!

The two green 5 Ohms high power resisters (from the ‘junk box’), switched so either one or both are in series, give known loads for testing for AAA, AA, C and D cells as well as small lead acid ‘gel’ batteries.

The standard battery/cell holders (top, left) still use the original springs but have been modified with metal strips to give a much better contact.

A scrap chromatography 1/8 inch diameter stainless steel coil (not shown) of about 0.3 Ohms is for testing high power lead acid batteries, like the car battery used in his shack.

Finally, the black test meter must be fairly old but it has a large dial and a window in the rear, probably intended for classroom demonstration, so was ideal for this presentation.