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Post by lindsay on Sept 12, 2021 11:38:21 GMT 12
Hi. A little introduction first up. I'm a technician at the University of Otago, and registered EAS. Ive never worked on valves before but have a lot of experience with modern digital and analog electronics. Ive been given a project, by a very wealthy friend who had to move into a rest home. Im not brave enough to try pluggin it in, even on a variac. I dont know its history, but i'm planning on pulling it apart, making it safe, and getting it back into running condition. I have the perfect place for it, in a historic courthouse. Firstly though, can anyone help me identify it? Despite hours of searching through hundreds of images, I haven't been able to find anything with the same case on the web. There is a degraded label that says made in USA for someone in Sydney NSW. My first thought is to remove the chassis and replace all dodgy looking wiring. I can see how to remove the knobs, but I'm worried about the dial and dial cord. Any insights much appreciated. Attachments:
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Post by elorens on Sept 13, 2021 10:52:59 GMT 12
Hi Lindsay, congrats on your new acquisition. The dial and knob layout are similar to that found on the Kriesler model 210 from 1936 (More Golden Age page 46), but the cabinet styling is a bit different. For a radio of this age you will need to replace most if not all of the tubular capacitors. It’s especially important to do this for the electrolytics in the power supply, which can do damage if they fail short-circuit. Leave the old ones in place and use modern small ones under the chassis, or if you are keen you can put the replacement inside the can of the old one. Have fun!
Lawrence
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Post by DHockey on Sept 13, 2021 13:25:35 GMT 12
Hi Lindsay The chassis looks like an RCA 128E from 1934/1935. RCA radios were often branded as HMV for sale in NZ and Australia. The cabinet is likely an Australian or NZ made one. It would be a good performing radio when restored. However, RCA sets can be a bit challenging to work on. Here is a link to a page about the 128 www.tuberadioland.com/rca-128_main.html The service info can be found at www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByModel/737/M0014737.pdf although the NZVRS library may be able to provide better scans. The dial on these radios is friction driven, so no dial string. It will come out with the chassis. Once you have removed the knobs, there will be 2 – 4 screws holding the chassis in from underneath. Remove those, unplug the cable from the speaker and the chassis should slide out. |
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Post by lindsay on Sept 13, 2021 16:52:54 GMT 12
Thanks for that, exactly what I needed cheers! You were dead right about removal, too easy. Someone has obviously sone some work in here previously. Ive got access to a capacitance meter so i can check out any that haven't been replaced. Awesome, and thanks again. |
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Post by Philconut on Sept 15, 2021 9:47:34 GMT 12
Hi Lindsay, I agree about the model. Have a look at www.radiomuseum.org/r/rca_128e_128_e.html The site shows a table-top model but often a chassis was put into various cabinet styles. Unless you are a member, you won't be able to download anything but I have all the technical details here that I can email to you. Cheers John |
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Post by lindsay on Sept 16, 2021 13:04:37 GMT 12
Thanks Philconut! Id love a copy of them, the ones on this site are ok, but the resolution is not great and some things are hard to make out.
legolindsay@gmail.com
Thanks again
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Steve
Society Members
vintageradio.co.nz
Posts: 732
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Post by Steve on Sept 19, 2021 11:31:23 GMT 12
Thats a nice looking console - it looks similar to the HMV 471 although the chassis layout looks slightly different to mine - is the dial purple-ish?
Cheers, Steve
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6A8G.
Society Members
Hard working kiwi soundmixer.
Posts: 69 
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Post by 6A8G. on Sept 19, 2021 13:09:06 GMT 12
Hi Lindsay & what a lovely device you have. As to being afraid to power it up I think you show commendable caution. I have a dim bulb tester with two switchable lamps on it. Basically you connect the radio to the mains with a light bulb in series to limit the current. This will stop any real harm being done.
Give it a try:)
Best,
John.
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Post by lindsay on Oct 26, 2021 19:45:53 GMT 12
Steve No, it’s a reddish brown colour. Might be fairly similar though.
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Post by lindsay on Oct 26, 2021 19:50:41 GMT 12
6A8G. Good thought. I’ve got a safety block in the back of my desk somewhere. Perfect for that sort of thing. Though this project has taken a back seat for a while as other things have got in the way dammit.
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