11-08-2010, 07:33 PM
Hi Mike
Welcome! We're glad you decided to join us!
Terry has already given you some great advice, to which I can only add: Do watch out for that power transformer. Philco used rubber-covered wires on their power transformer leads during the 1939 model year. Big mistake! The rubber insulation deteriorated rapidly on the transformer leads, which often led to burned-out power transformers. Philco switched back to cloth-covered leads from the 1940 season onward.
To reiterate what Terry has said about the power transformer: If yours is still good, you must resleeve each individual lead. To do so, you have to pull the transformer, remove the lower bell where the wire leads come out, and use heat shrink tubing on every lead as far up as the tubing will go on each lead. It will be best to remove the old rubber insulation before doing this, so that you will be able to get the bell back in place. Be careful! Insulation is extremely critical here! One wrong move and you could not only burn up the transformer anyway, but cause a deadly electric shock to yourself and/or others!
Come to think of it, unless you are very experienced in vintage radio, you might be better off going ahead and replacing that transformer. None of us would want something to happen to you because of a transformer with old rotten rubber-covered leads.
Edit: Yes, if you want excellent service information that is easy to read, contact Chuck and order the complete service info packet for your 39-45. You won't be disappointed.
Welcome! We're glad you decided to join us!
Terry has already given you some great advice, to which I can only add: Do watch out for that power transformer. Philco used rubber-covered wires on their power transformer leads during the 1939 model year. Big mistake! The rubber insulation deteriorated rapidly on the transformer leads, which often led to burned-out power transformers. Philco switched back to cloth-covered leads from the 1940 season onward.
To reiterate what Terry has said about the power transformer: If yours is still good, you must resleeve each individual lead. To do so, you have to pull the transformer, remove the lower bell where the wire leads come out, and use heat shrink tubing on every lead as far up as the tubing will go on each lead. It will be best to remove the old rubber insulation before doing this, so that you will be able to get the bell back in place. Be careful! Insulation is extremely critical here! One wrong move and you could not only burn up the transformer anyway, but cause a deadly electric shock to yourself and/or others!
Come to think of it, unless you are very experienced in vintage radio, you might be better off going ahead and replacing that transformer. None of us would want something to happen to you because of a transformer with old rotten rubber-covered leads.
Edit: Yes, if you want excellent service information that is easy to read, contact Chuck and order the complete service info packet for your 39-45. You won't be disappointed.
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
