The PHILCO Phorum

I have acquired a Philco 41-300, the chassis label is incomplete what is there reads K4791. The case is in OK shape and is not the priority. The priority is getting it working. I have extensive experience building modern electronics, but have never tackled anything with tubes before. I have all the tools necessary to work on integrated circuits, and other electronic testing equipment including an oscilloscope, power supply and tone generator. What other specialized tools do I need? I know components need to be replaced, where do I start there? What pitfalls should I avoid.

As you can see from the pictures it is complete, but needs replacement buttons and dial plate. The electrical cord is completely dried out as is to be expected. I have not applied power to it nor do I intend until the components that typically need replacement are replaced.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have not even started to take it apart.


DSC00188 by JDP75, on Flickr


DSC00189 by JDP75, on Flickr


DSC00192 by JDP75, on Flickr


DSC00193 by JDP75, on Flickr


DSC00186 by JDP75, on Flickr

Welcome, and it's a really nice set. You did the best thing by not plugging it in. There's a lot that will have to happen first. If you can read schematics you can get one on the ARF or a much better one from Chuck Schwank on this forum at a very modest price. You will want to replace just about all the capacitors, especially the filter and bypass ones, and any resistors that measure out of tolerance, (you will find they have all drifted up in value, I wouldn't trust anything more than 15% above.) Well, then you should fuse the set with a 1 amp fast blow , and power the set up slowly with a variac, start with about 60 volts, leave for a half an hour, then bring her up real slowly. Tubes are pretty hardy, and if they are glowing, and nothing smells and the fuse doesn't blow, that's good news. Any noise, even a whisper out of the loudspeaker is very good news. Don't touch anything whilst the set is connected to power. let us know how you are doing.

Here's a good website for newcomers.

http://antiqueradio.org/begin.htm

Hi and Welcome,

If this is your first, take your time. This model was my first as well the crumbling rubber wiring will try your patience. It is a great sounding radio and congratulations on the find. Feel free to ask any questions you have. There is a great bunch here.

Glenn

Very nice set. As eveyone said, let's take it slow, sometimes these restorations take a year or more even if we think we know what we're doing, and that is open to interpretation based on prior postings, so keep on asking questions.