The PHILCO Phorum
655 restoration - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: 655 restoration (/showthread.php?tid=24276)

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655 restoration - patmat2350 - 04-19-2023

I am looking forward to learning more about Phrank's guts, and cleaning and upgrading (the caps especially).

I'm a mechanical engineer with a vague understanding of electronics. In my high school electronics shop course in 1974 (yes that was a thing), I even built a simple tube radio- hand-bent the chassis box, soldered all the bits, etc. I wish I still had that radio, but especially the textbook from that class! It explained all the tubes and stages at a high school level, perfect for me.

The 655 schematic here shows a phono jack (or switch? It's an unknown symbol to me), a pick-up, and a phono-motor... none of which are present on mine. There is an unused knockout on the back of the chassis (circled below), maybe the right size for a jack...

RE: What's My Model? - patmat2350 - 04-19-2023

I mentioned missing my high school electronics text book... this might be useful:

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Basic_Electronics/m7gqAQAAIAAJ

RE: What's My Model? - patmat2350 - 04-19-2023

   


All the caps? Are there any I don't need to worry about?

RE: What's My Model? - patmat2350 - 04-19-2023

Found this- great info on the capacitors for a beginner like me:
https://www.justradios.com/captips.html

655 restoration - patmat2350 - 04-19-2023

Well, I know it IS. It's not broken and the indicator light is visible through it. But are the available repro dials "better" than what this looks like?

RE: Is my 655 dial OK? - morzh - 04-19-2023

Your dial is just fine the way it is. Noyt just OK, it is very good. Some cleaning might take some dirt off.
The sole dial I bought was 37-116, and no, it was not only not better, but worse, inaccurate and even lacked the notch. Had to file the inner part. Maybe it is better today, but to me undamaged original is as good as it gets.

RE: Is my 655 dial OK? - patmat2350 - 04-19-2023

thnx!

RE: Is my 655 dial OK? - Steve Davis - 04-19-2023

If you clean the dial, do NOT use water or any water based cleaner. Doing so will remove the markings.

Steve

RE: Is my 655 dial OK? - patmat2350 - 04-19-2023

Voice of experience? Icon_surprised

Is my 655's 8mF electrolytic OK? - patmat2350 - 04-19-2023

Well I know it's NOT...yuk! I wonder what that electrolyte was?

I know I can mount the replacement cap under the chassis, but there's some appeal to sticking it inside the old can. Any tricks for opening the can from the bottom for access?

And yes I've read about restuffing the plastic case caps... looks like a sticky mess.

           

RE: Is my 655's 8mF electrolytic OK? - Chas - 04-19-2023

I, would leave the can in place, disconnected. Trace the wires into the chassis and see if there is an available terminal and for the (+) and the (-) that can comfortable span the leads of a replacement electrolytic with some sleeving over the leads. Most often there is a location. The location should NOT be next to the volume control or in the RF area of the chassis. If there is no location find an area where there is an existing hole and install a terminal strip to support the cap and bring the exist leads to it. Or, drill a hole in the side of the chassis for the same. FWIR this cap is above chassis ground so either lead wire must not touch the chassis.

The crust is borax combined with extracted sulfur from the terminal gasket.

GL

Chas

RE: Is my 655 dial OK? - morzh - 04-19-2023

A known fact.

Use orodless mineral spirits, but first try in an inconspicuous place.

RE: Is my 655's 8mF electrolytic OK? - morzh - 04-19-2023

There are many more than one post here on the Phorum about restuffing old aluminum can caps.
Depending on the type, it might be better cutting off the top or the bottom.
Then you gut it, clean it, and put a new cap inside.

Just search by the topic; otehrwise this will be another duplicated therad on how to restuff an electrolytic: we probably have at least 10 of those, if not more.

RE: 655 restoration - klondike98 - 04-20-2023

I combined your 655 threads to keep the discussion about electrical restoration on the same radio together.

RE: 655 restoration - klondike98 - 04-20-2023

https://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=11685&pid=85845#pid85845

Here’s an example of stuffing the electrolytic can. Just one one of a number of options.