The PHILCO Phorum
Philco Tropic? - Printable Version

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Philco Tropic? - funkyfize - 05-17-2020

Hi guys!

So, the situation is that I got an old vintage Philco that my grandfather left me, but I can't find the exact model
of it and I would like to restore it, as it is in very very poor shape, as you can see from the pictures.

Could anyone help me find the exact model of this machine and the matching wire scheme or diagram? Where can I find the year it was fabricated? All I can read is Philco Tropic...

How much do you think I would spend restoring it?

Thank you very very much in advance!

[Image: https://i.ibb.co/9p4jVv7/philco1.jpg]

[Image: https://i.ibb.co/vvWY6nM/philco2.jpg]

[Image: https://i.ibb.co/kHwG9Bc/philco3.jpg]

[Image: https://i.ibb.co/LzPtqNg/philco4.jpg]

RE: Philco Tropic? - Nathan Slingerland - 05-17-2020

Interesting - the cabinet looks like the 46-1201:
https://philcoradio.com/gallery2/1946a/#Model_46-1201

But the dial is different and yours has three knobs.

The info on 1946 tropic models is here:
https://philcoradio.com/library/index.php/philco-history/philco-around-the-world/the-tropics/1946-tropic-models/

But I don't see your model.

However I think I may have found it in the 1948/1949 service info yearbook:

https://philcoradio.com/library/index.php/philco-1948-1949-home-radio-year-book/

https://philcoradio.com/library/download/service%20info/yearbooks/1948-1949/split/Part48-Philco%20Home%20Radio%20Yearbook%201948-1949.pdf

Model 48-1805.

RE: Philco Tropic? - morzh - 05-17-2020

I think this is for the other chapter.
Either Home radios or Electronic Restoration.

RE: Philco Tropic? - Nathan Slingerland - 05-18-2020

Thanks Mike. Moved.

RE: Philco Tropic? - Radioroslyn - 05-18-2020

Hi and welcome to the Phorum,

Looks like Nathan found the proper model the 48-1805. The cabinet is wooden but the "wood grain" is a decal. This makes refinishing a bit challenging. Short of painting new wood grain onto the cabinet, finding a replacement cabinet, (the 46-1201 was a popular set here in the states and they do turn up regularly) and have heard of using wood grain shelf paper. For more ideas google Philco 46-1201.

You may want to consider the cost of servicing the phono. More than likely it will need a new cartridge and idler wheel @ the cost of about $50 US. It is a single speed phono (78rpm) so you can't play 45's or 33 1/3 rpm records.

The radio section if all goes well about $30 US would cover the parts for the radio chassis. The dial is a bit of an issue. The one that is there is from something else not a Philco. Couldn't find a reproduction for this particular set. Did find one for the 46-1201 which is a very similar model but is a single band without any shortwave coverage. It's $39 or so. This company does custom work but they have a long waiting list if you wanted to recreate the original. https://www.radiodaze.com/philco-46-1201-dial-scale/ If you do  consider buying it do check the measurements. They also have the decals https://www.radiodaze.com/philco-46-1201-decal-set-item-dcl-ph-46-1201/ https://www.radiodaze.com/philco-12-decals/

Good Luck

RE: Philco Tropic? - funkyfize - 05-18-2020

Hi!!

Thank you very much for all your answers!!

Considering that I’m in Portugal I guess I will have some trouble finding the proper components for the restoration... but at least now I know what to look for : )

RE: Philco Tropic? - Radioroslyn - 05-18-2020

You might find this https://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=18546  to be an interesting read. It might give you some ideas on how to repair the photo finish (pf) without stripping or sanding off the old finish.