The PHILCO Phorum

Hi I own a philco radio with top that opens to beveled mirror and bar. All original bar bottles, martini shaker etc. Serial number on back is 30-2079. Ive had the radio for 33 years and never known much about the history. Bought it from original owner who was a neighbor. Anybody know anything about this model?

Hi

I would need to see photos of the outside of this Radiobar, and inside the back of the set to be able to determine exactly what you have and when it was produced.

The Radiobars were made by the Radiobar Corporation of Los Angeles, California; and most Radiobars used chassis and speakers purchased from Philco.

30-2079 is a Philco part number for an electrolytic capacitor; a tall, silver-colored cylindrical unit attached to the radio chassis. A quick look through my 1941 Philco parts catalog indicates that the 30-2079 electrolytic was used in models 44, 45, 66, 620, 625 and 680. I may have missed a few.

Thanks for responding. I looked on the back of the radiobar again. In big numbers stamped 38-7070. I want to send u a picture but my digital camera is with my daughter not here. Front of radio has large dial with 3 small underneath. Dial indicates ship, aircraft and police. Inside bar portion is black metal plate stamped in gold (Manufactured by Radiobar Co of America Los Angeles, USA patented-patents pending. Inside bar is 4 glass decanters with silver banding labled Brandy, Gin, Bourban and Scotch. Also large decanter with glass cork lid and 2 small decanters, one with screw on lid and the other with cork glass. There are 4 metal or tin shot glasses and strainer. A beautiful corkscrew that is gold with black handles with something on end that looks like a crest. The radiobar is in beautiful condition as we have always had it in our home. Ill try to send picture asap. I used to have manual in the side little door but after moving and raising little ones it is gone. What do u think? Is it from 1938?

Unfortunately, the 38-7070 also does not help identify the chassis as it, too, is a part number.

I really need to see photos before I can identify the year and chassis used.

I found my exact radiobar on Antiqueradios.com. This one refinished but mine looks almost as good. Same bar decanters and mirror. They seem to think theirs is 1935.
will u look at it and tell me what u think?

Could you post a link, please?

Nevermind, are you referring to this one?

http://antiqueradios.com/gallery/v/radio...ewsIndex=1

They call that one "1935" but it is a 1936 model Philco chassis, which would have been introduced to the market in June 1935 so they are sort of correct.

I still can't identify the exact chassis that is in your set without photos...

Thanks Ron, Appreciate u looking. I found my radiobar all over the place now. I will send u a picture as soon as I can. Im positive Ive found it. The chassis (did i say that correctly) is exactly the same mirror, bottles everything. Even the back looks the same. Id love to see it on your website. Years ago we plugged it in and it still worked then. We hooked it up to a tv antenna on the roof (remember those) but havent even attempted to plug it in for a long time. Its always been a conversation piece and just wanted to know more about it. Just moved into a new home and was unpacking bar decanters and thats what got me started wondering again. So wish i still had that manual. Thanks again.

Hello and welcome!

Yes, chassis refers to the metal box in the back of the set. Some call it the 'guts' , but the chassis is the right word.

You mention that you plugged it in years ago and it 'worked' That is a good sign. It shows that all the parts at that time were doing what they should. However, the original parts are around 70 years old and the main 'filter capacitors' can fail at any time. Failure of those otherwise cheap parts can result in damaging an expensive and hard to find part, like a transformer. You have heard an old radio that hums? That is a sign that the filters have already failed.

While you might not understand most on the page I am going to give you, it will give an idea of what I am talking about.

http://www.philcoradio.com/tech/plugin.htm

Also

http://antiqueradio.org/powerup.htm

http://antiqueradio.org/recap.htm

I would suggest that you have the set serviced by someone who knows about repairing old radios. Replacing the filter caps is the minimum you should do to the set. But preferably all the paper caps should be replaced.
That way, you will have a safe, and reliable set for many more years.
Please let us know the area you are in, and perhaps there is someone nearby that could help you out when the time comes. We just don't want you to risk damaging an otherwise good set. Sounds like yours is in great shape, complete, and the accessories are often missing or hard to find.

Good luck, and keep in touch.
Gary.

girl80, (sorry I dont know your name),
Here is a good visual of a capacitor that has lived out it's useful life long ago. However, the set did "work". Leaving it alone, it could have shorted further inside at any time. As you can see the electrolyte/ paste inside the filter cap has dried out, and the aluminum foil element, had been eaten through. So, replacing this cap with smaller modern caps is the way to go.

I have removed the insides from the cardboard tube it was in, and I will restuff the tube with modern caps. That way, the underside of the chassis looks original. Many don't go through the trouble of restuffing. For me, It is fun to do.