The PHILCO Phorum

Let's start on another, shall we?

This is my first 1940 model Tropic set. It is a large table model yet only has five tubes.



Here's the front of the chassis...



and the back...



A close-up of the model number tag:



and a look underneath.



Here's where things get strange. Notice the pencil scribblings under the chassis?



I have no idea why someone wrote "39-712" under the chassis. There is no information on a 39-712. 39-711, yes, but not 39-712. The 39-711 used the same cabinet as the 40-715, but was a six tube AC/DC set.

Notice also a drawing for what may have been intended for another tube socket...



and faint outlines of drawings for two extra tube sockets on top of the chassis...



This should be an interesting rebuild.

More photos, and more oddities...



It reads "gnd lug under padder".



And a note next to a ground lug - "ground lug".

Now let's take a closer look at some of the original paper capacitors.







Notice how many of the Philco part numbers on paper caps are written on them rather than having been printed on?

All of this makes me wonder if this could possibly be another prototype, or early factory sample?

Regardless, the radio was obviously used, as the original electrolytics were removed several years ago and two tubular electrolytics (taped together under the chassis) were installed by some long-ago repairman. And the job was done sloppily. I will find two bolt-in electrolytic cans, restuff them, and hook them up correctly.

Three hours later.



You can see that a few wires have been replaced along with two resistors. What is not readily apparent are three of the paper caps, two in the bandswitch section and one just right of center, which have been restuffed and reinstalled.

ron
pretty cool to have a prototype if it is
not to many resisters either
why does power trans look like older type with tube on it
will be simple fast on for you
sam

Ron,

What is your plan with the faded dial glass printing?

Thanks,

Mike

An interesting specimen....

(03-05-2015, 12:22 PM)PhilcoMike Wrote: [ -> ]Ron,

What is your plan with the faded dial glass printing?

In the last YouTube restore video by Buzz he sent a dial glass off to RadioDaze and they did a pretty nice job redoing the original glass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeI1djmKctk

The dial glass is revealed at about the 12 minute mark.

(03-05-2015, 03:52 AM)sam Wrote: [ -> ]why does power trans look like older type with tube on it

The power transformer does have a socket on top...but it has a special plug that plugs into that socket, not a tube.

This socket has two keyways, so the plug may be plugged in one of two ways.

One way connects the primary to run on 115 volts AC. Pull the special plug, turn it the other way, and reinsert, and then the radio is set to operate on 230 volts AC.

The power transformer in my 39-770 is set up the same way.

(03-05-2015, 12:22 PM)PhilcoMike Wrote: [ -> ]What is your plan with the faded dial glass printing?

Well, right now I have no plan.

Eliot Ness Wrote:In the last YouTube restore video by Buzz he sent a dial glass off to RadioDaze and they did a pretty nice job redoing the original glass:

Acked, and so noted. I may follow that same plan, but I also have another Tropic needing a dial glass (42-720EZ). That glass is printed on the front and back. I seem to recall that someone in one of the Facebook antique radio groups has found someone that can make repro dials, and as I recall, they can do the front/back dials as well as the dials that are printed only on the back as with this 40-715. I will see if I can find out more about this.

I wonder if Radio Daze is willing to make one-off repro dials? I doubt that they would ever sell very many 40-715 or 42-720 dials. But if they have the artwork, they can always make another one...

Radio Daze made the dial for my 47-1230 of which they had none at the time. I had to send the original in for them to copy it though. Was a vey good job.

Ron,

Sounds like a good plan.

Eliot,

Thanks but I'm too impatient to watch 12 mins on YouTube for the 15 sec answer.

Mike

Mike (PhilcoMike)

You can easily forward the YouTube video to any point on the progress bar directly underneath the video. I positioned my mouse over the progress bar until I found the 12:00 mark, clicked that point, and watched Buzz open the package containing his new dial. (The new dial is actually revealed at 13:04 if you need the exact time that Buzz removed the dial from the wrapping.)

Now, does anyone know if Radio Daze will print dials that were originally painted on the front and back? No, that isn't relevant to this 40-715...but I would like to know...yes, I know, I should just contact them and ask.

Sorry, dont know if they can do both front and back.

That's OK, Warren, thanks. If I don't forget, I'll send them an email this weekend.

Okay, let's get back on track.

After a couple of days, here is how it looks now.



New wires and new resistors. The two dial lamp sockets have also been rebuilt.

Tomorrow, I will melt the old innards from the remaining paper caps, restuff and reinstall.

I will be needing one or two electrolytic capacitors for this radio. I do not have any stud mount caps with the proper insulators needed to replace electrolytic (42). I will post in the Wanted section.

Oh, and here's a link to the schematic if anyone wants to follow along (672 kb):
http://www.philcoradio.com/images/40-715T_schem.jpg