Question About Old Radios

CharlieH. said:

Woha, hold it! You mean a tube can literally explode??

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Hahaha lol lol Not the tubes, the capacitors. (far as I know) And if the caps go, like LizzieMaine mentioned, a transformer can follow. Had that happen to a friend, transformer was in flames; harder to rebuild or replace transformers than tubes & caps. I learn by example and never plug a radio in at all before replacing at least the power supply caps & tubes.

CharlieH. said:

Those are all some great words of advice, now here's a situation - is there a way I can check a radio by myself? As far as I know it needs a new tube, but there could be other bugs lurking about.

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Here's a great FAQ: where to go for repairs, how to fix them yourself, step-by-step diaries of his own radio repairs, print resources, etc: http://antiqueradio.org/howfix.htm

The way I learned is by reading other people's step-by-step repairs with pictures like these, posted on the web.

I'd say:

#1. Look at the biggest capacitors in the radio, the power uspply caps. These are often metal cans. If they are old original, replace. I replace them with networks I make myself of individual new electrolytics, but you can buy new cans for more $.

#2. If you don't have a tube tester, just replace the power supply rectifier tube(s) to be safe, from http://www.tubesandmore.com .

#3. Look for any obviously burned or charred elements such as resistors, and if found, replace.

Swing High,
- C H

Thanks, cousin!

Another thing - I checked my radio today and I noticed that the tubes have this silvery coating inside. Is that normal?

CharlieH. said:

Thanks, cousin!

Another thing - I checked my radio today and I noticed that the tubes have this silvery coating inside. Is that normal?

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Yes. (for some kinds)

Oh boy.

Speaking of bad caps, paper transformers and the like I just had a transformer die on me today. And BOY did it die in a blaze of glory. Fortunately I caught and smelled it in time before the big poof.

CH, any ideas where I can get the transformer?

Jon

FedoraGent said:

Speaking of bad caps, paper transformers and the like I just had a transformer die on me today. And BOY did it die in a blaze of glory. Fortunately I caught and smelled it in time before the big poof.

CH, any ideas where I can get the transformer?

Jon

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Ugh... You know, I've never had to replace one Yet. Lucky I guess. Don't look forward to it. The way my friend solved his dilemma, for his circa 1950 Capehart console, was he found another identical amp on eBay & re-bought it. I know I have some info somewhere on identifying proper replacement transformers & places to buy them but my hobby stuff is all packed away and I can't remember exactly where...

Definitely, ask on the usenet forum Absinthe mentioned, rec.antiques.radio+phono , they have helped me through all sorts of similar questions: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.antiques.radio+phono?lnk=gschg&hl=en wish I had more time to do a quick search for "transformer" on that group but gotta get to work. They'll set you up.

Swing High,
- C H

If you can't find a transformer, look for an entire radio that's in rough shape and pull the unit you need out of it - or find one with a bad case but decent innards and transfer the chassis into your case. You'll have to match the year and model fairly closely, I think.