The PHILCO Phorum

Hi guys, this is my first post here on the Philco phorum. I have been reading up on other threads for a few months now and figured it was time to join. I'm a big Philco fan and have a few myself, those include a working Philco 144, 38-93, 37-116x, 48-1200, and now a 15x, which I have been wanting to add to my collection. The radio is in great condition, I am in the process of looking under the chassis right now. I have noticed the two Speakers are hard wired to the chassis, so I am trying to find a way to un-mount the speaker board to put it up on the bench. Four globes had been replaced by the St and one 80 octal . I will have to find a 80 globe, I can already tell it will be pricey. Cosmetically everything looks to be in A+ shape. I will post a few more pictures of the chassis underside once I figure a way to unmount this mess from the cabinet. Please give me feed back if you guys can I don't know much about the 15x as I am still learning about this model. Thanks

Jon

Looks good! nice score Jon!

Glenn

So after looking underneath, I have noticed a few things and have a few questions.

Mershon Capacitors
Did this model have the Mershon caps originally? I notice the two caps on mine are stamped sprague, could they be originals? Looking underneath both Sprauge's are disconnected. In place are two Aerovox as it would seem.

The Transformer
It looks as though the power transformer is a old replacement long ago, it reads "Stancore" on it" and there is wax drippings visible below inside the chassis Which makes me concerned. I am almost sure the Power transformer is quite bigger than this one is. There is also plastic wire visible on the underside. Could anybody tell me if this is a replacement? And can anybody tell me where to find a good original that is in good shape with the cloth wire still intact?

Audio Transformers
That leads me to believe these audio transformers are also replacements, they don't have philco printed on the clam shells. Can anybody tell if they are also replacements?

Capacitors
Looks as those the original capacitors have also been replaced with the bumble bee's, those two black caps in the bottom right, replaced in the 50? Also did this set originally have any paper wax capacitors? all the Bakelite blocks are there.

The resistors are original as well as the speakers, most everything is original to the radio from my observation, but I am still very new with this model and this old of a Philco. Please help if you guys can and in any way possible. I'm still new to the hobby, with now only one restoration under my belt, I am just getting my bearings with the 15x.

Also do any of you guys know the transformer, part number etc? I am going to try to find a original power transformer that would have been original to this set, I am beginning to think this one is toast as there is hardened wax drippings on the bottom of the wires. Thanks

Jon

Hey Jon,
Great find! I have a 15x and it is one of my favorite Philcos.
I don't know about Mershons being in these sets, but I do have several model 70's that have the same Sprague caps that are in your set. the 70 is the same year as the 15x so my guess is that those Spragues are the originals. Good luck with your new find!
Kevin

Also to any of you ARF members, I am also over there a bit, user name "ketron281989". Also if any of you were wondering, I have taken a interest in this old tube tech a year ago and am 23 years old.

I'm currently restoring a Philco 15DX which uses the same chassis over in this thread.
My chassis is pretty much stock so you can compare the photos to your set.
As for your questions...

Yes, it used Mershon caps. Mine had been replaced with cheap cardboard Aeorvox caps.

Yes, that's a replacement power transformer. The original part# is 6672

I'd need a better photo to say for sure, but from what I can see the audio output transformer is original. So is the filter choke next to the power transformer.

There are no paper caps in this set. Only the bakelite blocks and metal box caps.

Good luck! I hope to try firing mine up next week

Bob, great to hear from you, I have been following your thread on the dx, and your youtube videos. I think our chassis are the same if I'm not mistaken. I will look over your chassis again and I cant wait to hear more about your dx restoration. I'm following that as a model for this one. Thanks for your help.

Also what type of light bulb fixture did you go with, on your shadow meter, and the bulb that sits above the speakers?

Thanks

Yes, they are the same chassis. The shadow meter takes a #46 bulb. I used a 25 watt "intermediate base" appliance bulb for the cabinet light.

Thanks Bob, I will be following your DX restoration, I look forward to it, also will you be making any YouTube videos on the DX restoration? Thanks

Jon

The Stancor transformer is definately a replacement, the original was vertically mounted. You may or may not have any luck finding an original Philco transformer but most of the new aftermarket replacement transformers are vertically mounted so they will look at home in there. Unfortunately someone may have cut a hole in the chassis to mount that Stancor unit so it is something you may have to deal with to put an original vertical style one back in there.
I don't know whether the Sprague filter condensers are original or not, but at least they are of the original style and suit the era of the set so I wouldn't go crazy trying to look for some copper Mershons. The same goes for the tubes, an ST style 80 will look perfectly fine, if you can find a globe style for reasonable price, like not for a typical shill bid fleabay auction price, then go for it. As for the speakers they should normally be connected to a plug that plugs into a socket somewhere on the chassis, if not then there should be a terminal strip under a cover on one of the speakers.
Regards
Arran

Arran thanks for your input, I hear you and Ron are experts on the Philco's, I am going to the Lansing MI show here in two weeks, so I will be looking for a original, don't know how lucky I will be though. Do you think the audio transformers are original? there is not a Philco stamp nor is there any mark on them as well, but they look original from what I can tell.

Thanks

Jon

Quote:Arran thanks for your input, I hear you and Ron are experts on the Philco's, I am going to the Lansing MI show here in two weeks, so I will be looking for a original, don't know how lucky I will be though. Do you think the audio transformers are original? there is not a Philco stamp nor is there any mark on them as well, but they look original from what I can tell.

Thanks

Jon

Thanks for the complement but I am far from a Philco expert, more of a Philco tinkerer, Ron, Chuck Schwark, and Doug Houston are what I would call the Philco experts. My knowledge is more general from poking around on so many makes and models, though I know my way around Canadian G.E and RCA sets pretty well now. Bob Andersen is a good one to talk to as well since he's currently restoring a set similar to yours.
Regards
Arran

This is what my audio output transformer looks like. It's original as far as I can tell.

Hey All,

I know from personnal experience that Doug IS the leading RCA expert we got here in Michigan & the club, in fact probably the whole country. Back in 2006 I believe, my first Extravaganza, Doug put on a Friday RCA club seminar. Couldn't believe the *detailed* answers he was giving, especially on the phonograph questions at the end of the seminar.

Doug's health is on & off some years, but IT'S time again, Long Overdue for another, at the next Exstravaganza.

Maybe I should mention somethin' to Ian or Mark.
Lloyd
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One morning you’ll wake up & realize that your Entire Adult Life was based on ONE Decision you made, as a ---- TEENAGER!!