The PHILCO Phorum
39-116 Restoration - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: 39-116 Restoration (/showthread.php?tid=3281)


39-116 Restoration - ipwizard - 05-17-2011

I finally finished up the electronics on my 39-116 Last night. I have been working on this bad boy for about 6 years on and off (mostly off). I buttoned up the underside last night installed the RF shields and man this thing sounds sweet now. Pulls stations in like nobodys bidness. Only things left to do is to finish cleaning the top side and re-finish the cabinet and ohh yeah try to get the Mystery Control to work.

I replaced all the rubber wiring, and some cloth wiring. All the paper caps, and almost all the resistors since many were bad. Rebuilt the bakelite block with non-saftey caps (might swap those out before it goes into the house) and replaced the power cord. I had to re-wire all the IF cans which im amazed that the alignment wasnt fubared from haveing to take them apart. All in all not to difficult but I don't think someone new to the tube radio scene would enjoy working on one of these.

[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0223.jpg]

[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0222.jpg]

[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0221.jpg]

Let me know whatcha think.

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - Uffda - 05-17-2011

I call that an inspiration to us all. And confirming evidence that I need lots more experience before tackling my 116XX. Beautiful work.

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - w4rtc - 05-17-2011

Hi That is a great job, your chassis looks clean. I have one of those radios and you are correct, it really pulls in the stations. I have the remote but have to rig some kind of battery for it. My stepper relay was frozen when I started working on it but some WD40 freeded it up. When I got mine the volume knob was missing some of the teeth, one of the guys on here sent me one. Great job enjoy Joe

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - TA Forbes - 05-18-2011

Nice! I'm impressed!

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - ipwizard - 05-18-2011

w4rtc Wrote:I have the remote but have to rig some kind of battery for it.


Joe check out Batterymakers battery for the remote. I bought one and its pretty slick. I have yet to put any batteries in it but it sure looks cool installed in the remote.

http://www.philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=5

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - w4rtc - 05-18-2011

Hi Keith is the guy still making the battery? I can't find him. Thanks joe

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - Glenn Roberts - 05-18-2011

I'm not sure. I ordered a battery from him in Feb. Told me would be ready in April...still waiting...

That's all I'm waiting for to finish my 39-55. I'm going to rig up a battery pack so I can test it at least. I picked up a control on E-bay for a couple parts I needed and it had the original battery still in it, Icon_biggrin . at least I have a pattern for making the connection now.

Your chassis looks nice!! Good Work.

Glenn

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - w4rtc - 05-18-2011

Hi Glenn. Well I guess I will try to make one of my own if I cannot get in contact with him. I have the old battery so I have the measurements. I met you at Lexington Glenn. I sent battery maker a email, maybe he will answer. Joe

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - Glenn Roberts - 05-18-2011

Hi Joe,
I thought so but I'm bad with names so I wasn't 100% sure. Please let me know if you get in touch with him. I'd like to finish it up.

Thanks,
Glenn

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - ipwizard - 05-18-2011

Im not sure either. I bought mine a few years ago from one of his Ebay auctions. I just found the thread and assumed he was still around and making the batteries.

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - Ron Ramirez - 05-18-2011

Bill (batterymaker) is still around, as far as I know. I talked with him at the most recent IHRS-Greenfield Fall Foliage swap meet, in October 2010. And I think I've seen him post on the "other" forum recently. Edit: Yes, he posted yesterday on the Alt...er, Antique Radio Forum, so he's still around.

batterymaker@gmail.com

AKA battery-maker on the other forum

You might try sending him a PM there if you do not receive a reply to your email.

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - Ron Ramirez - 05-18-2011

Forgot to mention, Keith - Great job on your 39-116! Icon_thumbup

I have a 41-616 waiting for me. I dread it, because like your 39-116, my 41-616 will have miles of rotten rubber-covered wiring; just waiting for me to replace all of it. Icon_sad Icon_evil Icon_mad Icon_eh Icon_crazy

Re: 39-116 Electronics Restored - Arran - 05-18-2011

Yes, batterymaker is still around, he's working on a Phillips multiband transistor portable from the 60's, at least in his you tube videos. If you thought a 39-116 was bad underneath take a look at that engineering disaster, the ironic part is that the Phillips tube radios I have encountered are among the better designed and logically laid out of the European radios I have worked on, I don't know what went wrong there. Maybe that's why he hasn't got to your battery yet?
Regards
Arran

Re: 39-116 Restoration - ipwizard - 05-20-2011

Here is an update of my progress of the cleanup hapening on on the top side of the chassis. I also changed the subject of the thread to more reflect the topic.

I went nuts and took the tuning assembly apart, cleaning the tuner in warm water and a tooth brush. I used navel jelly to clean all the brackets, and top/sides of chassis. I also cleaned all 4 bakelite wheels for volume,tone,tune,band switch.

Couple pics of before the tear down and cleaning started.
[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0214.jpg]

[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0231.jpg]

After the dial tower was removed.

[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0237.jpg]

After tuner was removed, filthy mess under that sucker!

[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0238.jpg]

[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0239.jpg]

Navel jelly slatherd on.

[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0240.jpg]

After the chassis cleaning was completed.

[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0242.jpg]

[Image: http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m501/ipwizard/Philco%2039-116/IMAG0243.jpg]

I swaped out the wiring for the tuner I just couldn't live with the old crumbling wiring under the tuner even if it was just for grounds. The cloth wiring wasn't in good shape either so out they came and in with new shiny wiring. I'm still cleaning other pieces and waiting for more parts to show up.

It's getting there, I just hope I can get both of those dial strings re-strung... Icon_biggrin

RE: 39-116 Restoration - 78zenithtv - 10-24-2017

How is it your chassis turned out so shiny after using naval jelly mine looked like it had been badly water-stained. It was like random shaped areas surrounded by black rings and mottled silver in the middle. Did I maybe do something wrong?