Where can I get information as to how much wattage is drawn by a Philco 41-255, and a 42-1008. This info isn't in the service bulletins I sent for and received in July. I wish to calculate how much amperage each will draw as I'm now looking for a variac and need to know how much power handling I need to look for. Unless I miscalculated incorrectly, an old "Maggie" I used to have drew 175 watts, so at 120 VAC that's just below 1.46 Amperes.
If you cannot find anything specific my best guess would be in the 100-120 watt range as a maximum for either of those radios.
-Bill
On the 42-1008, rough calculations show between 50-60 watts. That's not a very powerful set of tubes.
You might want to invest in one of those cheap "Kill A Watt" digital boxes that show line volts, current drain, wattage, and watt hours; they cost less than $25. They can be used very effectively with a variac to monitor current and voltage. Mine has been used extensively for locating household current drain as a solar electric system comes on-line.
I don't have data for a 41-255, but the 41-250, 41-280, and the 41-285 are rated 60W, according to Riders. The 41-255 has a similar 9 tube chassis as the 41-285, so it is probably rated 60 watts as well.
The 42-355, with 8 tubes, is rated 70 watts, according to the Philco service package Chuck Schwark provided me.
Ok, thanks fellas. I'm watching ebay for some American made used variacs and some are rated at only about 2 Amperes.