Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Philco 37-10 magnetic tuning problems
#1

I recently dug into my first Philco - a 37-10 with automatic / magnetic tuning - and set out to restore it.
[Image: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3030/2989...64f5_z.jpg]

[Image: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5679/2375...c9d9_z.jpg]

It worked fairly well well when I got it then sat in a closet for a few years.  This was my first good luck under the chassis and I was surprised to see so little work had been done to it.  Just a few new electrolytics and paper caps. I later found that the volume and tone controls had been replaced too.

[Image: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5776/2402...e36f_z.jpg]

[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1442/2375...9c47_z.jpg]

[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1503/2405...1b61_z.jpg]
#2

Next I recapped it including unmounting the RF unit so I could really get down in there.

[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1580/2346...8e21_z.jpg]

Replaced all the rubber mounts while I was at it.
[Image: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5829/2398...05a9_z.jpg]

All the bakelite and electrolytic caps were restuffed.
[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1673/2359...0d36_z.jpg]

[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1704/2419...59a8_z.jpg]

I also discovered the 2M volume control had been replaced with a 500K and the tone/power switch replaced with a potentiometer and switch. I got replacements from playthings of the past and restored the original wiring.

[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1557/2427...55e5_z.jpg]

[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1619/2430...54c0_z.jpg]

The radio played great on the first power up Plenty of volume and selectivity. However, the "magnetic tuning" feature doesn't seem to be working.

[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1576/2406...87f8_z.jpg]


Turning it on and off has almost no effect on the tuning. It certainly isn't locking in on a station. I did some voltage checks and found the 6N7 oscillator control tube only has around 180 volts on the plates. The service info states 260. That voltage is derived from the junction of the 10K and 15K in a bleeder network of 10K, 15K and 51K.
#3

Huh, it's working now Icon_smile  I just kept poking around and finally got the discriminator coil to peak Icon_thumbup

Here's a look inside the IF / descriminator can for the curious. The variable cap at the top is the one I had trouble peaking. Maybe my opening up the can and blowing the dust off fixed it ?
[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1620/2401...9a6c_z.jpg]
#4

Icon_thumbup Icon_thumbup Icon_thumbup
#5

Great looking bob Icon_clap
Great vid too Icon_thumbup
Sam

Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, accept this justice as a gift
mafiamen2
#6

Thanks! Next installment uploading right now where I demonstrate the magnetic tuning. It really does work well once properly adjusted.
#7

Very nice job, and thanks for posting the magnetic tuning video.
#8

Hi Bob
Really like your YouTube vedios.  Icon_thumbup I just finished a magnetic tuning philco, I had to read the alignment instructions several times before I got it right. Especially tuning the AFC. Keep up the good work.
Joe

Joe Bratcher near Louisville, KY
#9

Thanks!  Does anyone know where I can get a new dial glass ?  I suppose I could pick up a piece of glass any try cutting it myself but the curves look tricky Icon_eh

[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1503/2377...696a_z.jpg]
#10

Hi Bob
Really like your YouTube vedios.  Icon_thumbup I just finished a magnetic tuning philco, I had to read the alignment instructions several times before I got it right. Especially tuning the AFC. Keep up the good work.
Joe

Joe Bratcher near Louisville, KY
#11

hey bob
I think I have a 38-116 glass around here
that should be the same  yes??

sam

Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, accept this justice as a gift
mafiamen2
#12

Hmm. I don't think so. It looks like the side are straight in the 38-116 while angled a bit in the 37-10. http://www.tuberadioland.com/images/phil...16x_13.jpg
#13

Bob;
  Maybe you could trace out the shape onto cardboard and get a glass shop to cut a new piece? That is unless you know someone who does a lot of stained glass work, they would have the tools to cut and grind glass.
Regards
Arran
#14

Bob

Have you considered plexiglass? I cut a piece of plexiglass for that type of escutcheon once, several years ago...it wasn't easy, but a heck of a lot easier than cutting real glass...and looked fine once installed in the escutcheon. Icon_thumbup

Or if you decide to go with real glass, Arran's suggestion to go to a place that does stained glass work sounds like an excellent suggestion. Icon_thumbup Icon_thumbup

--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
#15

Thanks for the tips! I'll see what I can do. Meanwhile, I've been reassembling the automatic tuning mechanism and have a few questions.

1. What type of bulbs should be used ? I found two types installed - #44 and some fat 3W bulbs.
[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1632/2431...fe1d_z.jpg]

2. There is a chrome reflector ring around behind to station identifier tabs. I'm pretty sure all four bulbs should point towards that reflector but the top two on mine point forward. That only illuminates the inside of the cabinet! Should I bend them so they point into the dial ?
[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1677/2431...a4e4_z.jpg]

[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1492/2431...2b67_z.jpg]

3. Finally, I'm confused about the audio muting switch. I understand that it should short out the audio to ground when the tuning handle is pressed in. The inner contact on mine is just sort of floating around inside. I think it should line up with the other contact mounted on the shaft. Not sure if I'm missing something that would secure it in position.
[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/2442...d8c1_z.jpg]

[Image: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1608/2442...8c2a_z.jpg]

an anyone shed some light on these issue ? Thanks!




Users browsing this thread: 3 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
Hickok AC51 tube tester
Note that no power cord, power switch, or power transformer switch are shown. That (along with my experience with full s...DaleHCook — 07:09 AM
IF can wire size and Rubber mounts?
A pair of wire strippers can give you an idea of what the existing gauge of the wire leads are in the IF can, I think it...Arran — 06:07 AM
My last cabinet for this year
Hello Dan, That is really beautiful what great looking radio you have ! I have friends who live in Calgary and the wea...radiorich — 01:51 AM
Philco Predicta Siesta picture over time getting dimmer
I found that the wire insulation was burnt.  The fly back needs corona dope! Why would someone put that there?Platinumblonde36 — 01:09 AM
Philco Predicta Siesta picture over time getting dimmer
This is what it looked like beforePlatinumblonde36 — 01:01 AM
Philco Predicta Siesta picture over time getting dimmer
Platinumblonde36 — 12:58 AM
Philco Predicta Siesta picture over time getting dimmer
Platinumblonde36 — 12:57 AM
Philco Predicta Siesta picture over time getting dimmer
I'm finding some strange things in my set and for the most part it's also original, so I need to start going over everyt...Platinumblonde36 — 12:55 AM
12' Philco
Not anymore Mike. Andre The Giant Born: May 19, 1946, Coulommiers, France Died: Jan 28, 1993 (46 years), Paris, Fran...RodB — 11:53 PM
IF can wire size and Rubber mounts?
Renovated Radios do carry what you need. As for the voltage, a wire should be at least 300V-rated.morzh — 11:13 PM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently no members online.

>