Tube Radio Repair--Safety Tip

I have a 1940 Zenith and the "wires" are old and original and in very dangerous condition. I am going to replace them so as not to loose the unit or the house in the advent of the inevitable fire. So this vid is entirely correct.

I use a test extension cord on old radios if condition is not known. My cord has a lamp socket in series with one side and I start with a 25 watt bulb in it. If there is a dead short in the appliance the bulb will light fully and nothing will smoke or blow up. If the bulb lights dimly wait a few minutes and replace the bulb with a 100 watt bulb. Usually the radio begins to play and you still have some safety in case a filter shorts and you dont wind up blowing something up.

WHAT!!!! Cut the power cord off a vintage collector radio!!! Why in the world would you tellpeople to do that? Plug thatsucker in and see what happens, just stand back a bit! If it smoke pull the plug, Ialso suggest that a fire exting be close by!
What fun is an old radio that just sits around?
NO really I agree BUT we all have done it and someone is PLUGGING one in now as I type this SHOCKING!!!!!

I always advice people not to leave your old appliance Plugged in always unplug from the main when not in use not to long a go an old record player of my went up in smoke there is some minor Fire damage in the inside a minute later disaster may have happened

Christian. Düsseldorf Germany

Christian,
Sie sind eine kluge und vorsichtige Menschen. Ihre Sorge um andere ist eine seltene Tugend. Alte Elektrogeräte töten Menschen jeden Tag. Ich bin sehr froh zu hören, dass Sie sich einmal ein Feuer aus auftritt. Ich hoffe, Sie verstehen mein Deutsch. Vielen Dank, dass Sie zum Anschauen.

John

All very good advice. I've found enough bad capacitors, worn insulation, and half-baked repairs by previous owners that I always go over everything thoroughly, get a schematic, and bring them up on a variac to make sure nothing smokes, sparks, explodes, or starts glowing red.

Dave,
How interesting it is that so many folks have actually viewed this video. Never figured it would happen. Shows you what I know. But I do know that if even one person benefits from its content, then it was worth the posting.
Be safe, kids. Anything can happen with these old radios.
A few nights ago I carefully touched a metal-cased tube I thought was getting excessively hot. Wanted to determine how hot. It was "shocking"!
Thanks for viewing.
Regards,
John

I got lucky once; I bought a 1935 console radio that hadn't been fired up in a long time, and the shop owner fired it right up on the spot. I remember wondering if that was such a good idea (still new to the hobby then), but fortunately nothing bad happened. I found out later that the 500 volt primary filter cap had been replaced with a 450 volt unit, and since the speaker field was unplugged, it got over 500 volts! Now I politely decline to let people demonstrate unknown units!

great advice! i'll test it or inspect before going any further.

Damus,
Do be careful. These things can seriously injure or even kill you. Generally speaking, the so-called radio repairmen of old were concerned only with making a buck. As long as the radio worked and the money hit their hand...out it went. Then of course there was dad or grandpa who thought he could fix anything. It's always a mystery what one will find under a vintage radio chassis.
John