Hello,
I was an electronic technician in my early career, but leaned more to an engineer career and mechanical hobbies as time has gone on. Repaired a couple radios when I was younger, but skills are rusty and stock of parts is low. I picked up a philco 89B in great original shape at a local auction and am kicking around the idea of overhauling it. Do you guys know anyone that would sell a "kit" of modern replacement caps needed for an 89B overhaul? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Scott
Welcome to the Phorum Scott! Sal's Capacitor Corner (
www.tuberadios.com) is a good source for replacement caps, as is Mouser Electronics. You can customize your order to the radio, or buy re-cap kits to have extras for the radios to come. Take care and BE HEALTHY! Gary
Sal Brisindi is a good guy and member of NJARC, a good supporterr of the hobby.
Paul
Hi RST, welcome to the Phorum. Lots of expert help to be found here.
Not to be a bummer, but the 89 and several other of that generation are somewhat notorious. the 2 biggest issues with this radio are open windings on the RF Amp output transformer primary (This transformer is between the RF Amp and 1st Detector), and the oscillator (tickler) winding of the 1st detector transformer. The other issue is the "Autodyne"1st detector circuit itself. This is not the very stable "Pentagrid Convertor that was released by RCA around this time, it is an older style, that is very finicky IMHO. leakage caused by moisture, dirt, etc. in the coils, trimmer caps and the tuning cap itself will stop the circuit from oscillating. Lots of good info, especially by Ron Ramirez on rewinding these coils and troubleshooting failure of this stage to function.
To the best of my knowledge, no one makes a specific "Kit" of caps specific to that radio, but the vendors already recommended to you are great sources.
Good luck with the radio and keep us all posted on your progress. I just got one of these working, but listen to the experts before me because I am still mad at the blasted thing!
Best Regards,
John, MrFixr55
Sal is good. Mouser is good.
Since you need to replace every paper cap, order all of them.
I forgot if 19/89 use backelite block caps, if they do - simply go to the book or sch and order the types and qtys you need.
Better yet, figure out if you also need resistors (mreasure in-circuit, good enough) and order all at once; this is where Mouser comes handy.