The PHILCO Phorum

Hi all, Just found a great old classic radio, that is the good news. It is a Philco model 89L from about 1933... that is the bad news. I've read enough of the restoration articles on here to have learned this model is also known as the "Philco from h###"! I suppose that is due mostly to the many variations in schematics for this model. I'll try to pin down which version I have and I am sure I'll be whining and crying the blues and asking for help here very often in the coming weeks and days. I am a general class HAM radio op and many decades ago I went through an army basic electronics course so I used to know a bit of theory but advancing age I am sure has erased most of that.
This set hasn't been powered up, due mainly to a missing plug on the power cord! My plan is to check the tube and replace the electrolytic caps before trying to apply power. I don't have a variac and I understand that is a good tool to have... any recommendations for an inexpensive variac? And any hints on replacing the caps?

Welcome to the Phorum!  
There is some excellent info on the model 89s on Ron's page here:
http://www.philcoradio.com/tech/89evol.htm

A dim bulb test set is cheap and easy to make and offers power up protection similar to a variac, see this page on Phils Old Radios:  http://www.antiqueradio.org/dimbulb.htm

Dan, the first thing I do before starting on a Philco is to go to this site and supply as much info like code number on the chassis. You will get the most complete information and a schematic that you can read. Chuck is a real asset for Philco schematics and all related material. For $7, it is a steal. Don't tell Chuck that!
Welcome and enjoy the Phorum.

http://www.philcorepairbench.com/schematics.htm

Thanks Klondike98! That link was exactly what I needed to get started! That looks like a great resource.

Troop. There's another fellow just starting an 89L restoration as well.  See this thread for more info:
http://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=13383

Having just completed an 89B I'd say the bare minumum problem points you should address before applying power would be these:

1. Check the coils for continuity (and bake/seal them)
2. Replace / restuff the electolytics
3. Replace the caps in the mains block (beside where the power cord enters the chassis). From memory its 2 x 0.015uF caps - I used a three-legged safety cap with X and Y caps in it because I added an mains earth to the chassis, but those two caps need to be safety caps, not just standard ones.
4. Replace the 0.01uF coupling cap between the 75 and the 42

Then replace all the other caps, and probably half the resistors because they will all be bad

My thread here or ARF has the coil details for pinouts etc... and there is rewinding info around here somewhere. I replaced the 36 with a 77 for reliability but if you want to keep it original and it has a 36 they can be made to work.

My thread is here: http://www.philcoradio.com/phorum/showth...777&page=2

Post pics - you can never have enough pics of restorations

Cheers

Steve