i had a thing with the 90 but what I am intersted in is there any thing about the radio my parents bought in 1936 it had like my six tubes what stuck out was the old 80 rectrofir was mounted on thee top of the transformer it was three bands I wold lie to see apicture of the chassie and a thing about repares
I remove the rectifier, be it tube or selenium, and replace it with a modern diode. I also replace the detector with a modern diode.
Re capping is a given as well as replacing the old wiring and adding modern safety caps and fuses and MOVs, all in the interest of a cooler and safer radio. Other than that I leave everything alone that is within range, quite a reduction in heat and loading with no change in what makes the radio what it is.
2nd Part- Unfortunatly in 2000 the old barber died and his son opened a new barber shop in that same place with everything new, and he told me he sold that radio to the oldest customer of the old barber shop and the radio was still working! . I told him it was a story for the Guiness Book of Records! LOL!
This one is doing pretty good I still have some testing to do on it. Glad to hear the barber shop radio is still playing and has found a good home. Thanks.
1st Part- It's a masterpiece from the past!. I remember to see a radio like that at the old barber shop of the town I lived in 1975. It was a Philco and was always turned on from 08:00h A.M. to 08:00 P.M. , 7 days a week!. It was a radio made to last!. I went to that barber shop from 1975 until 1999 and the radio was still there playing.
Yes with these old radios it is S.O.P. to change out all the capacitors. I do not change out the plastic mica capacitors if they are not shorted. I built my first All American Five Radio from scratch when I was in High School. Made the chassis in Metal Shop and installed all the parts and wired it up in Electric Shop. Thanks.
Ok well my dad and I are fixing up 2 radios one is a philco 41-250 and the other is a zenith but i can't remember the model. so when we went to radio shack to pick up some tools the guy there said thatt we could drill out the old compasitors and put the new ones inside of the cardboard shell and fill the space in with the old wax so it has more of the original parts in it.
Yes you can do that and I have done that also. Download my book, it is on my YouTube Channel. If I can I just electrically remove the old and install the new ones, it is much easier. Also look for my video on the Monarch radio.
Consider this idea. If you want 100 percent ease of undoing the repair, then just put the choke as described in my last comment on the replacement PM speaker frame and ALSO mount the extra power resistor needed on the speaker frame also. Then treat this new PM speaker as a complete sub assembly that can be detached from the radio very easily and an exact replacement Philco 90 speaker can be installed if you ever find one. I have a search going on Ebay and will notify you if I find a speaker.
Yes I was thinking it that direction also. I would like to make a substitute speaker for the workbench and set it up so that you can use it with a single output tube or push-pull. Thanks.
Yep, I'll find out today what the owner wants to do. If I replace it with a new PM speaker, I will do it so that it is 100% reversible. And if another speaker is found it can be installed.
Do like they do in Eastern Europe when they repair old radios and can't get parts. Unwind the field coil, count the turns, measure the wire, rewind the field coil.
Consider this. See part 23 of the RCA 262 Repair video. I mounted a choke having 375 DC Ohms on the speaker frame. If you use a new PM type speaker, the choke will appear as an extra output transformer. All you would need to do is to add some amount of series resistance. and attach to speaker frame or chassis. Use Dale power resistors 25W that have the cooling fins The RCA 262 has no hum, the choke does the trick!. Choke is easier on the rectifier than increasing the reserve capacitance.
That was real interesting to see how this circuit is laid out. I haven't seen a superheterodyne which is quite this old...all the ones I have worked one with these kinds of tubes have been T.R.F.
Looks like there were some 50's era repairs in there with some Sprague Atom electrolytics.
The earliest Superheterodyne I own is a 1929 RCA Radiola 66, I used it this morning and most mornings. My favorite radios are the 1920s T.R.F. some of them work very well today. The earliest T.R.F. I own is a 1921 RCA Radiola RC. Ill do some videos.
Yep someone has made some repairs. Hopefully is it not the same person who put the tubes in this set. Thanks.
Ahh man that is so gorgeous! I'm a huge fan of the cathedral style as you know^^ what happens if that transformer was bad? is there a way to rewind it or find a replacement? also i'm interested in how you would find a suitable replacement speaker.
What I have done is to use a filter choke of the appropriate ohms and current capacity in the power supply to replace the field coil and then use a modern permananent magnet speaker. One time we had a Philco with good field coil in the speaker but bad voice coil and no cone. We were able to drill out the rivets holding the old field coil and mount in with a bracket inside the cabinet and wire it into the circuit and then use a PM speaker.
Yeah that's my main concern keeping it as origional looking as possible. I do like to gaze into the back of these old radios sometimes while they're operating and a PM speaker just wouldn't look right :P
If the power transformer is bad you might be able to replace, but the 2.5VAC is the problem, so you might need to use two transformers. I am checking prices now on the speaker and tubes then Ill call the owner. If he wants it repaired Ill do videos on it. Thanks.
Also I made a video on replacing the old speaker with a new PM speaker. The video is one of these (RCA Radio 280 part ? repair) there are 5 parts but I dont remember which one.
Wow, what a nice-looking radio, the woodwork is gorgeous. The radio definitely has that classic radio look, something oft-copied by a lot of modern "retro"-styled radios.
Just curious, but what era is this radio from? Late 30s-early 40s?
I as well can't wait to see when you've completed repairs on this radio (hopefully it won't be too difficult), it's a beauty.......! :)
The wiring document says pre-June 1933. This is a superheterodyne receiver and RCA first licensed this patent to other manufactures in 1932. So early 30s. Thanks.
Thanks, that was very educational. I'm not too knowledgeable about electronics, but why is the 80 rectifier tube preferable? Is one amp that critical?
Good question! Yes it is, the transformer was designed to produce 2 amps@5volts. With a 5Z3 drawing 3 amps@5volts that is a 50% increase and the transformer was not designed for that. There is a real danger in burning out the transformer. Thanks.
i had a thing with the 90 but what I am intersted in is there any thing about the radio my parents bought in 1936 it had like my six tubes what stuck out was the old 80 rectrofir was mounted on thee top of the transformer it was three bands I wold lie to see apicture of the chassie and a thing about repares
SUPERDAVIDLEVINE 1 week ago
I remove the rectifier, be it tube or selenium, and replace it with a modern diode. I also replace the detector with a modern diode.
Re capping is a given as well as replacing the old wiring and adding modern safety caps and fuses and MOVs, all in the interest of a cooler and safer radio. Other than that I leave everything alone that is within range, quite a reduction in heat and loading with no change in what makes the radio what it is.
Arabhacks 8 months ago
I hate when people lose the isolation cans to cover the tubes.
gbowne1 10 months ago
Thanks gbowne1
And tubes plugged into the wrong sockets
AllAmericanFiveRadio 10 months ago
@AllAmericanFiveRadio yeah that is what i thought...building a FM radio right now. DIY project
rockangel1967 8 months ago
ahaha.... bad field-coil speaker... I don't feel so bad now...
Just kidding.....
Hope you've had better luck at finding a replacement than I have..
ZmajSnoshaj 1 year ago
2nd Part- Unfortunatly in 2000 the old barber died and his son opened a new barber shop in that same place with everything new, and he told me he sold that radio to the oldest customer of the old barber shop and the radio was still working! . I told him it was a story for the Guiness Book of Records! LOL!
mig189189189 2 years ago
This one is doing pretty good I still have some testing to do on it. Glad to hear the barber shop radio is still playing and has found a good home. Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
1st Part- It's a masterpiece from the past!. I remember to see a radio like that at the old barber shop of the town I lived in 1975. It was a Philco and was always turned on from 08:00h A.M. to 08:00 P.M. , 7 days a week!. It was a radio made to last!. I went to that barber shop from 1975 until 1999 and the radio was still there playing.
mig189189189 2 years ago
the compasitors are normaly one of the first things to go is that right? also i was wondering how long you have been restoring radios. Good video.
josh03000 2 years ago
Yes with these old radios it is S.O.P. to change out all the capacitors. I do not change out the plastic mica capacitors if they are not shorted. I built my first All American Five Radio from scratch when I was in High School. Made the chassis in Metal Shop and installed all the parts and wired it up in Electric Shop. Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Ok well my dad and I are fixing up 2 radios one is a philco 41-250 and the other is a zenith but i can't remember the model. so when we went to radio shack to pick up some tools the guy there said thatt we could drill out the old compasitors and put the new ones inside of the cardboard shell and fill the space in with the old wax so it has more of the original parts in it.
josh03000 2 years ago
Yes you can do that and I have done that also. Download my book, it is on my YouTube Channel. If I can I just electrically remove the old and install the new ones, it is much easier. Also look for my video on the Monarch radio.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Consider this idea. If you want 100 percent ease of undoing the repair, then just put the choke as described in my last comment on the replacement PM speaker frame and ALSO mount the extra power resistor needed on the speaker frame also. Then treat this new PM speaker as a complete sub assembly that can be detached from the radio very easily and an exact replacement Philco 90 speaker can be installed if you ever find one. I have a search going on Ebay and will notify you if I find a speaker.
Lockemeister 2 years ago
Yes I was thinking it that direction also. I would like to make a substitute speaker for the workbench and set it up so that you can use it with a single output tube or push-pull. Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
It would be a shame to replace the field coil with a modern PM speaker. Maybe you can find a homeless model 90 speaker out there.
Hammondlover2 2 years ago
Yep, I'll find out today what the owner wants to do. If I replace it with a new PM speaker, I will do it so that it is 100% reversible. And if another speaker is found it can be installed.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Do like they do in Eastern Europe when they repair old radios and can't get parts. Unwind the field coil, count the turns, measure the wire, rewind the field coil.
Lockemeister 2 years ago
I have some friends that do that. But this is not my radio and the meter is running.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Consider this. See part 23 of the RCA 262 Repair video. I mounted a choke having 375 DC Ohms on the speaker frame. If you use a new PM type speaker, the choke will appear as an extra output transformer. All you would need to do is to add some amount of series resistance. and attach to speaker frame or chassis. Use Dale power resistors 25W that have the cooling fins The RCA 262 has no hum, the choke does the trick!. Choke is easier on the rectifier than increasing the reserve capacitance.
Lockemeister 2 years ago
Beautiful old radio and, yet again, another excellent video! Good luck with repairing it!
-Frank
togst 2 years ago
Hey Frank,
It is beautiful and Philco sold a whole bunch of them too. Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
A true gem this one. Very nice!
Organgrinder010 2 years ago
Yes it is! Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
That was real interesting to see how this circuit is laid out. I haven't seen a superheterodyne which is quite this old...all the ones I have worked one with these kinds of tubes have been T.R.F.
Looks like there were some 50's era repairs in there with some Sprague Atom electrolytics.
retrochad 2 years ago
The earliest Superheterodyne I own is a 1929 RCA Radiola 66, I used it this morning and most mornings. My favorite radios are the 1920s T.R.F. some of them work very well today. The earliest T.R.F. I own is a 1921 RCA Radiola RC. Ill do some videos.
Yep someone has made some repairs. Hopefully is it not the same person who put the tubes in this set. Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Ooops! The RC is a regenerative circuit.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Ahh man that is so gorgeous! I'm a huge fan of the cathedral style as you know^^ what happens if that transformer was bad? is there a way to rewind it or find a replacement? also i'm interested in how you would find a suitable replacement speaker.
coolbluelights 2 years ago
What I have done is to use a filter choke of the appropriate ohms and current capacity in the power supply to replace the field coil and then use a modern permananent magnet speaker. One time we had a Philco with good field coil in the speaker but bad voice coil and no cone. We were able to drill out the rivets holding the old field coil and mount in with a bracket inside the cabinet and wire it into the circuit and then use a PM speaker.
retrochad 2 years ago
Yeah that's my main concern keeping it as origional looking as possible. I do like to gaze into the back of these old radios sometimes while they're operating and a PM speaker just wouldn't look right :P
coolbluelights 2 years ago
If the power transformer is bad you might be able to replace, but the 2.5VAC is the problem, so you might need to use two transformers. I am checking prices now on the speaker and tubes then Ill call the owner. If he wants it repaired Ill do videos on it. Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Also I made a video on replacing the old speaker with a new PM speaker. The video is one of these (RCA Radio 280 part ? repair) there are 5 parts but I dont remember which one.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Wow, what a nice-looking radio, the woodwork is gorgeous. The radio definitely has that classic radio look, something oft-copied by a lot of modern "retro"-styled radios.
Just curious, but what era is this radio from? Late 30s-early 40s?
I as well can't wait to see when you've completed repairs on this radio (hopefully it won't be too difficult), it's a beauty.......! :)
pvx 2 years ago
1931 actually and a very collectable model. It was one of the first and best 'cathedral' type radios.
deru0136 2 years ago
The wiring document says pre-June 1933. This is a superheterodyne receiver and RCA first licensed this patent to other manufactures in 1932. So early 30s. Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
All the cathedral style radios are from the early to mid 1930s.
coolbluelights 2 years ago
Comment removed
pvx 2 years ago
Rick,
Good stuff...more than one problem. Find a dozen more broken things and you'll be eligible for membership in my "Everything is Wrong" club.
Looking forward to the followup.
Have a great 4th of July.
Regards,
John
joernone 2 years ago
Hey John,
Have a great 4th! Well, it's not over until it's over.
Regards,
Rick
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Thanks, that was very educational. I'm not too knowledgeable about electronics, but why is the 80 rectifier tube preferable? Is one amp that critical?
Barnekkid 2 years ago
Good question! Yes it is, the transformer was designed to produce 2 amps@5volts. With a 5Z3 drawing 3 amps@5volts that is a 50% increase and the transformer was not designed for that. There is a real danger in burning out the transformer. Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
Very beautiful indeed!
Vinylrecordsneverdie 2 years ago
Yes he did a great job on the cabinet. Thanks.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago
jolly good ol chap!
umajunkcollector 2 years ago
Thanks!
AllAmericanFiveRadio 2 years ago