The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay The Radio Bench 54 manual radio

I recapped this radio, it was DOA when I got it after recap I still do not have the tubes to light and the vibrator is not buzzing either. I can hear the transformer hum. What would be the safe approach next check the primary ? I rebuilt a Zenith cabinet radio with great success but this one has me stumped. [email protected]

I ran into to one like this the other day. With the vibrator out, it was drawing plenty of current and there wasn't enough voltage to light the tubes. I clipped the heavy transformer lead leaving everything else attached and the voltage recovered with the tubes lighting up. The transformer has a capacitor inside the can and the can is filled with pitch. In this situation the cure is to replace the transformer with another one from a parts radio.

Also try unbolting [free from gound] your spark plate. How many amps does it draw? should not be more than 6

One of our members has managed to open the bottom of one of these transformers and replace the shorted capacitor. I didn't know that this was possible. I have previously experienced a tar like substance leaking out of a shorted transformer and I assumed that they were potted. As it turns out, I don't think they are filled with tar. I think the windings are probably covered but the capacitor is accessible.