THE PHILCO RESTORER
Transcription
THE PHILCO RESTORER
1 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... THE PHILCO RESTORER ca 1928 This Site is dedicated to the restoration of PHILCO Radio chassis and cabinets from 1929 thru 1942. This site is for the newcomer (newbie) and novice and not really the expert. Things covered in this web site are: Supplies and tools for the restoration of chassis and cabinets for the newbie. Schematic's and Symbols: How to use them. PHILCO bakelite capacitors; don't be afraid of them. PHILCO resistors before R.M.A.. Soldering, PHILCO wiring and how to repair it. PHILCO paper capacitors and PHILCO Mica capacitors and what to do with them. Tubes and how to read them. PHILCO vintage test equipment. Resources, where to buy the stuff. PHILCO model and part numbers explained. How to refinish cabinets my way. PHILCO photo finishes in 1937. PHILCO R.M.S. repair service. Never to busy to help some one out CLICK BELOW TO SEE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY 04/05/2012 23.17 2 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... MODEL, PART NUMBERS EXPLAINED PAPER CAPACITORS PHILCO RESISTORS SOLDERING PHILCO WIRING MICA & SILVER MICA CAPACITORS ELECTROLYTIC CAPCITORS REBUILDING PHILCO BAKELITE CAPACITORS PHILCO SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 289 - 1ST PAGE PHILCO SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 289 - 2ND PAGE OTHER PHILCO ITEMS OTHER THAN RADIOS SCHEMATICS & SYMBOLS, How to use them. HOW TO GET PHILCO INFORMATION 04/05/2012 23.17 1 di 1 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... MODEL , PARTS NUMBERS EXPLAINED MODEL, PART NUMBERS EXPLAINED Model, Parts Numbers Explained PHILCO marketed their first radio in 1928 with the model number of 511 and used 2 and 3 digit numbers up until 1937, when they started using suffixes for cabinet styles. So if you had a 95 chassis, that could be in any console cabinet with 65 being a 6 tube chassis, 76 being a 7 tube, 86 or 87 being a 8 tube and a 95 being a 9 tube chassis. Like a 95 highboy or a 87 highboy or even a 76 deluxe highboy. In 1937 they started using 37-9X or 37-61B for example. The first 2 digits is the year, 37 for 1937 and 41 for 1941 for example. PHILCO's part numbering system also has some numbers that appear to be year model numbers, for example the 39-6347 is printed matter and 36-5521 is speakers. So 27- is for bakelite parts, 28- metal parts, 30fixed condensers, 31- variable condensers, 32- transformers, 33- resisters, 34- tubes and bulbs, 35- phongraph parts, 36- speakers, 37- chassis, 38sub-base, 39- printed matter, 40- accessorys, 41- motors, 42- switches, 43major sub-body's, 44- speaker cloth, and 45- hardware. Mistakes useally happen when looking in a cabinet and you see 39-5587, that's the part number for the label, not for the radio model number. Return to Homepage Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.19 paper capacitors 1 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... PAPER CAPACITORS First of all capacitors is a term that was not always used. The word condensers was used for a very long time and some place along the way it was changed to capacitors. Most people call them "caps", so when you read that a radio has been "recaped", that means that the capacitors have been replaced. The performance of the radio depends on the conditon of these "caps". Most often they will be badly deteriorated and they should ALL be replaced and NOT JUST the easy one's to get at. They are cylinders filled with wax on the ends with a wire lead coming out of both ends. Capacitors are found in all areas of the radio circuit for general coupling, decoupling and filtering. They are NON-POLARITY sensitive and are usually clearly labeled with the value and voltage rating. They often have a black band around one end. This end was connected to the less sensitive side of the circuit and for non-electrolytic ones it does NOT make any difference which end you connect. Damage to the caps is usually indicated by melting, bubbling or darkening of the outer wax covering and loss of wax on one end. Sometimes they look ok and test ok, but have electrical leakage and can act more like a resistor. It is hotly debated whether or not you should replace them all as purists and collectors feel they should only be replaced if absolutely necessary. Paper-wax capacitors are VERY prone to failure and it is just a matter of time before they fail, so I believe they should ALL be replaced. Since the work is under the chassis and not visible, it should have little impact on the value. People who look at my radios have never asked me to take the chassis out. Before you expend a lot of effort trying to find the exact values, you come as close as you can to the values. For example, a 0.05 cap you use a 0.047 cap, for a 0.02 cap use a 0.022 cap and so on. The voltage I use is 630 Volts on everything, that way you don't have to keep as many of them in stock. 04/05/2012 23.20 paper capacitors 2 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... Return to Homepage Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.20 1 di 1 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... PHILCO RESISTORS BEFORE RMA PHILCO RESISTORS BEFORE RMA The resistors used in the early PHILCO radios were color coded with PHILCO's own system and were of the "dog bone" type. Other manufactures like Atwater Kent also used their own unique system for color coding. It was not until RMA (Radio Manufactures Association) established the 3 color system that became the resistor color coding of today. Looking back, it did seem strange that PHILCO's engineers used some of the different shades of color instead of a different color. Two shades of gray were used, Battleship Gray and Silver Gray; 2 shades of yellow, Yellow and Golden Yellow. Other colors had fancy names like Jade Green, Auto Buff, Auto Broen and Belgian Blue. The following is a list of these colors: BLACK BLUE AUTO BROWN + YELLOW AUTO BUFF BATTLE SHIP GRAY SILVER GRAY SILVER GRAY + YELLOW GREEN JADE GREEN ORANGE WHITE GOLDEN YELLOW 10.000 ohms 13.000 ohms 25.000 ohms 25.000 ohms 500.000 ohms 100.000 ohms 100.000 ohms 1 Megohms 70.000 ohms 50.000 ohms 250.000 ohms 5.000 ohms (The colors used here are not exact) All of these resistors appear to be 1 watt. I think it is best to replace all resistors with 1 watt, except when a 2 watt is called for in the schematic. Return to Homepage Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.20 SOLDERING 1 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... SOLDERING This subject of Soldering and Philco Wiring is so important that I decided to do it in two parts, the first half Soldering the second half Philco Wiring. Replacing the capacitors and resistors could lead to a disaster if not done correctly. Be sure to work on recapping and replacing resistors a few hours at a time. I know it’s fun but it’s very easy to make mistakes when you are tired. Even worse you’ll find yourself compromising quality, as you are anxious to get it working. Be patient and work carefully. If you don’t have the time to do it right this time, you’ll never have the time to do it again. When you are done with the recapping and replacing of resistors, treat the set as if there might be a short in it when you turn it on for the first time. Be ready to quickly disconnect the power. I have four (4) sets of locking forceps like doctors use. The paper capacitors usually are much bigger than the new replacements and have long leads. I clip the old capacitors up next to the body and clamp one pair of forceps to the old wire and do the same with the other old wire capacitor end; that way if I am interrupted or stop for the day, I have not lost where the new capacitor goes. When I stop for the day I put the old capacitor on the bench in front of the set, this way I know what value goes where when I start up the next day. I had three (3) occasions when I put the capacitor on the wrong terminal. With the forceps, I put a ‘J’ hook in the old leads, a ‘J’ hook in the new capacitor leads and crimp them together. Hold the iron to the terminal or wire and heat it up, then start to apply the solder to the terminal or wire, letting it melt the solder rather than the iron tip. Let the solder flow liberally around the joint. Be sure to keep the wires steady as the joint cools and always inspect the connection for “dry” areas. The solder MUST bond well to both metals being joined and the joint shiny. A word about after the soldering is done. Take your forceps and pull the joint to make SURE the job is done right. I had two (2) occasions where the radio did not work correctly and it took a long time to figure out that the bad soldering joint was the problem. 04/05/2012 23.21 SOLDERING 2 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... PHILCO made a lot of run changes to redress the wiring. I very seldom completely remove the wires from the terminals. You can get yourself in a lot of trouble doing that. Don’t move the wiring around a lot or change the direction and location of it. Keep a notebook and pen by the work area to make notes. It’s easier to make notes for reference than to remember what you did when trying to figure out what is wrong! Return to Home Page Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.21 PHILCO WIRING 1 di 1 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... PHILCO WIRING Now a word about that wonderful PHILCO Wiring used in sets from 1939 to 1942 when production stopped for WWII. They tell me it was rubber covered, but I really don’t know what it was. It was just awful stuff! They tell me that the repair of PHILCO Wiring is not for the NOVICE, but if you take your time, you can do it. All of the “rubber” insulation breaks down over the years, dries out and flakes off. If you turn that 40-150 chassis you just got upside down, you will see a lot of bare wiring and partially bare wires that will brake apart when touched. They even used it in their power transformers. Some people just put sleeving over the wiring without taking the transformer off. They slide the sleeving up the wiring inside the transformer covers. The problem with doing this is the wiring inside the transformer, under the covers, is touching causing a short in the transformer. The only way to do it right is to color code the wiring with paint dots and remove the transformer. Remove the transformer covers and then put the sleeving on, running the sleeving right up to the paper insulation. The rest of the wiring can either be replaced or re-sleeved. Do one at a time and try not to change the length or the route of the wiring. Use heat shrink sleeving. If your going to replace the wiring use 20 Gauge Cloth Covered Stranded Wire, do NOT use solid wiring. If you put a nick in solid wire and you bend it, it will break. I have seen it break inside of something and you don’t know it broke. A real hard thing to find!! Return to Home Page Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.21 MICA AND SILVER MICA CAPACITORS 1 di 1 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... MICA AND SILVER MICA CAPACITORS PHILCO Mica Capacitors are flat bakelite stamp sized square blocks or small “pez” sized pills or even small cylinders. They are found in the high frequency tuning and detecting stages of the circuit. These caps are very durable and rarely need replacing unless they are way off value, damaged or open. If they need replacing it’s usually because they are open. By NOT replacing them, you can reduce the amount of possible re-aligning required to get the set working well. Mica Caps are usually measured in pF (Pico farads) and sometimes nanofarads, and not uf (microfarads). As long as we are talking about Mica Caps, they are also used in the PHILCO Bakelite Block Capacitors. The block numbers they are used in are : 8035-D 8035-ODU 8035-EU 8035-OEU 8035-DG 8035-ODG 8035-SG 8035-DU 8035-SU 8035-H 8035-G 8035-E 8035-F 8035-K 8035-L 8035-C 8035-B 8035-P And are listed as 110 pF. Do NOT use 0.001 caps, use silver Mica 100 pF caps like the small one at the top of this page Return to Home Page Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.21 Electrolytic capacitors 1 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS They are commonly either large aluminum cylinders mounted to the top of the chassis or large cardboard cylinders under the chassis with several colored leads. Usually there are two (2) or more of them. They can be one (1) part, two (2) parts or sometimes three (3) parts. Each part can have a different voltage and value. These capacitors are used for power filtering. They are VERY prone to failure and must ALWAYS be replaced. One of the golden rules in antique restoration is NEVER, EVER plug a radio in without checking the electrolytic capacitors, they may very well be shorted and can burn up the power transformer. Electrolytic capacitors are usually the reason for a loud hum or buzzing, but are not always the problem. If you find one that is bulging or has exploded, suspect that it is wired incorrectly. If they are mounted on top of the chassis and are the can type, check to see if they are mounted in a cardboard cylinder or if there is a fiber washer between the can and the chassis. If there is a washer or cardboard cylinder, they are not grounded to the chassis. Take a look at the blue and black capacitor at the top of the page. Notice the arrow on the side of it. The arrow is pointing to the NEGATIVE end of the capacitor. If it has wires the NEGATIVE wire is black. Notice I did not say ground!! It’s NEGATIVE. Electrolytic capacitors ARE polarity sensitive! You must have them wired positive to positive and negative to negative. Now they MAY have negative to chassis ground, and they MAY not. If you don’t know which way they go, FIND out, DON’T guess. Check the schematic and if you can’t figure it out, ask someone. As far as replacing the electrolytic capacitors, you have many options. Some top chassis aluminum cylinders are available but are very expensive and hard to find. Usually it is much easier to just install axial lead caps under the chassis. There is usually lots of room after the paper caps have been replaced. It is best to avoid using the original can terminals for connecting the new caps. Disconnect the wires from the old cans and leave it mounted to the chassis for appearances sake. The electrolytic sections could short and render your restoration useless. Remember to use new caps with a voltage rating equal or greater to the original voltage. When in doubt use quality units of 350V or 450V. Below are some examples: 04/05/2012 23.22 Electrolytic capacitors 2 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... 39-25 PHILCO schematic lists 2 of 16 mfd 250V USE 2- 22mfd 450V 38-12 PHILCO schematic lists 1 of 8 mfd 400V USE 1- 10mfd 450V 1 of 4 mfd 250V USE 1- 10mfd 450V 60 PHILCO schematic lists 1 of 12 mfd 400V USE 1- 22mfd 450V 2 of 8 mfd 250V USE 2- 10mfd 450V 37-620 PHILCO schematic lists 1 of 8 mfd 250V USE 1- 10mfd 450V 1 of 12 mfd 400V USE 1- 22mfd 450V 40-180 PHILCO schematic lists 1 of 16 mfd 400V USE 1- 22mfd 450V 1 of 12 mfd 400V USE 1- 22mfd 450V 1 of 16 mfd 400V USE 1- 22mfd 450V A power supply filter can be replaced with one as much as 50% over the value, but keep in mind much higher could result in increased transformer and rectifier surge current when powering the set up Return to Home Page Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.22 PHILCO BAKELITE CAPACITORS: REBUILDING THEM 1 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... PHILCO BAKELITE CAPACITORS: REBUILDING THEM Philco started using the new Bakelite Capacitors in June of 1930 in their models 30, 41, 77, and 96. These were phased out in the late 1930’s and were replaced by paper capacitors. But the bakelite blocks were used in the AC line filters as late as 1948. The blocks consist of a bakelite shell with capacitors wired to appropriate terminals and sealed with a “tar” or “pitch” mixture and a single self-taping metal screw, that sometimes also serves as a chassis ground. Terminals riveted to the top of the shell provide connections for the capacitors inside the shell. Often extra terminals were added to serve as tie points for wiring. The PHILCO Part Number is Hot stamped on the side of the shell and the very late one’s have a yellow painted part number imprinted on the side. The letter ”O” in the part number means that it was filled with a high temperature wax, and letter “G” means the block is grounded to the chassis, and the letter “U” means that it is ungrounded. A paper-dielectric capacitor that is inside of the shell is shown at the top of this page. Now a word to the wise that MOST other site’s don't tell you. SOME of the bakelite blocks have resistors in the blocks consisting of a hank of insulated wire folded in a figure eight (8) inside a very small envelope, and 110 and 250 pF paper capacitors. DO NOT use 0.001 caps, instead use 100 or 250 pF mica capacitors and the suitable resistor. Most of these blocks start with 8035something. The VERY FIRST thing to do when rebuilding the blocks is to color code the wiring with a dab of paint on a touch up-brush and make a drawing of the block and what wire goes to what terminal. Then just cut the wire as close to the terminal as possible and remove the block from the chassis. I have a small vise shown at the top of the page that I clamp the block into and a small pocket screwdriver to dig the “tar” out in chunks. If it will not come out I use a hair dryer to heat the block up. Be careful the block doesn’t break. Use a small pair of wire cutters and cut out the wiring of the block inside. Then I have a jar half filled with lacquer thinner to put the block in to shake 04/05/2012 23.22 PHILCO BAKELITE CAPACITORS: REBUILDING THEM 2 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... vigorously, washing out all of the “tar”. Re-clamp it back in the vise and clean the solder off the terminals and the wiring out of the eyelets. Take a drill and drill out the eyelet holes. Put the capacitors and resistors in and the wire though the eyelet and re-solder it and snip off the excess wiring. I refill the blocks with a caulking gun and a tube of “DAP” Blacktop Driveway Sealer. DO NOT use silicone sealer. Put it into the freezer for about 15 minutes and reinstall in the chassis. Use the next two (2) pages as a guide for the capacitors and resistors. For information on Metal Case Capacitors For information on Tone Control Capacitors For information on Multi-section Case Capacitors and Electrolytic Capacitors (Big Black Box’s) Return to Home Page Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.22 PHILCO SERVICE BULLETIN NO.289 1st Page 1 di 3 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... PHILCO SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 289 1st Page How to use this bulletin: Read the number on the side of the bakelite shell. Look at the “discontinued bakelite condensers” on this page, and see if the number was replaced. Most have been!! Look up the number in the listing, most will be on the 2nd page. Wire and use the value as the bulletin states. Be careful of the one’s that use 100 and 250pF and Resistors. This bulletin does not list 29 bakelite capacitors: 15 have no information and 14 are not listed but I have the information, just E/Mail me. The 15 with no information are: The 14 that I are: 3615-BS 3615-BU 8320-SU 3615-BW 8325-DU 4989-AL 8326-SG 4989-AM have the information The 15 with no information are: 7442-OSU 8318-F 3615-BY 3793-AK 4989-AS 7653-SU 3793-AF 3793-AL 4989-AT 7762-SG 3793-AG 3793-AM 4989-AU 8035-P 3793-AH 4989-AN 4989-AW 8174-SU 3793-AJ 4989-AP 4989-AY 04/05/2012 23.23 PHILCO SERVICE BULLETIN NO.289 1st Page 2 di 3 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... 04/05/2012 23.23 PHILCO SERVICE BULLETIN NO.289 1st Page 3 di 3 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... Return to Home Page Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.23 PHILCO SERVICE BULLETIN NO.289 2nd PAGE 1 di 3 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... PHILCO SERVICE BULLETIN NO.289 2nd PAGE 04/05/2012 23.23 PHILCO SERVICE BULLETIN NO.289 2nd PAGE 2 di 3 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... 04/05/2012 23.23 PHILCO SERVICE BULLETIN NO.289 2nd PAGE 3 di 3 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... Return to Home Page Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.23 MY PHILCO STUFF OTHER THAN RADIOS 1 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... MY PHILCO STUFF OTHER THAN RADIO'S 8 + 10 Window card for radio shop ca.1935 Full page Newspaper ad, sent to its ca.1929 dealers from PHILCO, Philadelphia in 1929 RADIO REPAIRMANS RMS CERTIFICATE ELECTRIC CLOCK ca. 1935 ca.1935 04/05/2012 23.24 MY PHILCO STUFF OTHER THAN RADIOS 2 di 2 WALLET SIZE BUSNIESS CARD file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... ca.1935 DEALER WALL PLATE LIFE BEFORE PHILCO RADIO ca.1952 ca.1928 Sign hanging in my shop From December , 1935 PHILCO SERVICEMAN Return to Home Page Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.24 SCHEMATICS and SYMBOLS: 1 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... SCHEMATICS and SYMBOLS : How to use them. Schematics are like a road map for radios. Can you imagine driving across the U.S.A. without a road map? People who have years of experience with working on radios may be able to work on them without one, but not for long. When driving you need to know the road signs and I am going to give you some of them for radios. There are hundreds of thousands of schematics, and there are 3 major sources for them. Rider started in about 1930, Sam’s Folders started in about 1948, and the third source was the manufacture's schematic of the radio. Rider and the manufacture is your best bet. Rider’s first one is Roman Number I the second is II and so on. I have from Numbers I to Numbers XIV. I purchased all I needed from 1929 to 1942 for the old Philco’s. Rider’s Roman Number I can get very expensive, but worth it. Now you can also get Rider on CD’s but they are also very expensive. I use only the books. Can you imagine carrying the computer out to the workbench every time you need something or taking the chassis inside too use the computer. Only kidding! I just prefer taking the pages out of the books to carry around rather than printing from the CD’s. If you are using Rider, you also are going to need an index for them. Rider is almost worthless without an index. The index list is by the manufacture and model, NOT by the year. This means if you have a Philco Model 95, it says 1-23, which means volume I, page 23 in the Philco section. If you had a Philco Model 37-610, it says 7-45, that means volume VII, page 45 in the Philco section. If you had a Philco 39-40, it says 10-19 that means volume X, page 19 in the Philco section, and so on. The following chart shows SOME of the symbols used in schematics. 04/05/2012 23.24 SCHEMATICS and SYMBOLS: 2 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... Return to Home Page Next Subject 04/05/2012 23.24 HOW to get PHILCO INFORMATION 1 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... HOW to get PHILCO INFORMATION PHILCO SERVICE BULLETINS: This and 2 more ways was how Philco got Schematics and Service Information to its RMS members. The service bulletins were schematics for each model radio. Sometimes they had other information. For example bulletin #289 was for Bakelite Capacitors. Rider used these for their manuals, but PHILCO was a pretty good company and when they had a problem they tried to rectify the problem right away so there may be more than 1 bulletin for a radio. For example Model 60, the first bulletin was number 164 the second bulletin was number 164A. Rider did not always publish the second bulletin. PHILCO CHANGES IN MODELS: This was another way Philco let its members know that they had changed something in their production. They sometimes changed their production runs as many as 5 times, so you may have one change in run 2 and another in run 3 and run 4 may have changed it back to run 2, as in Model 60. PHILCO SERVICEMAN: This was published by PHILCO as a little newspaper, with editorials and discussions about the changes they had made in production and any new products. Sometimes there were discussions on why they did things one way and not another such as in their September 1935 article on why they did not use metal tubes. All this seems confusing to present day restoration people, but this was no problem for Philco Repairmen who belonged to RMS. They just used the Philco schematic and checked the PHILCO CHANGES IN MODELS for any changes in the set. Not all schematics were written the same. PHILCO’S own schematics were written the same, while others were NOT. YOU MUST be careful, for example resister ohms, one may say 500,000 ohms and one may say .5 Meg. They both mean the same. If you 04/05/2012 23.25 HOW to get PHILCO INFORMATION 2 di 2 file:///C:/TUSCANY/TUSSITO/RADIO/radio_da_sistemare/antiquerad... don’t understand ASK someone. Below is an article written in September 1935, and copied from a PHILCO SERVICEMAN. Return to Home Page 04/05/2012 23.25