The PHILCO Phorum
645a common? - Printable Version

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645a common? - WyTex - 08-05-2014

Is the 645a console difficult to locate? I recently found one for $18 complete but the cabinet is rough. I bought it for parts but as I keep looking at it I wonder if I should at least attempt to make it work? Are they difficult to restore?

Thanks.
Paul

RE: 645a common? - Chuck Schwark - 08-05-2014

I believe this 1936 set is relatively hard to find.

[Ron, any thoughts?]

Chuck

RE: 645a common? - Ron Ramirez - 08-05-2014

A = 25 cycle AC (25 Hz) set. This is actually better, as the power transformer is beefier than 60 cycle power transformers (contains more iron) since it is designed for operation on 25 cycle AC. You can run today's 60 cycle (60 Hz) AC safely through a 25 cycle transformer, but you cannot use 25 cycle AC on a 60 cycle transformer.

A 645 console designed to run on 60 cycle AC will use the same cabinet. You could always save the chassis and find a better console (or even a tombstone) cabinet to put it in.

25 cycle chassis are far less common than 60 cycle models.

RE: 645a common? - WyTex - 08-05-2014

Thank you Chuck and Ron for your input. I boxed up the chassis and speaker but will check on which chassis version. After reviewing the available models in Ron's book, I've been searching for a solid month but haven't located even one. It's actually the console design that has me most interested. I have a western saloon and would like a vintage Philco am console radio for it. But the caveat is that it will be subjected to varying conditions given it's a dusty environment and the only heat is a wood burning stove. Maybe this is the one since the cabinet is rough but salvageable.

RE: 645a common? - Ron Ramirez - 08-05-2014

(in my best fake Marge Schott voice) Well...there...you...go. What's the problem? Fix the cabinet you have! Icon_thumbup

RE: 645a common? - WyTex - 08-05-2014

That's the nudge I needed and exactly what I'm going to do!

Thanks again.