[TA Forbes]

My newest aquisition. Cabinet solid but will need re finish. Chassis has been modified to allow radio to be powered from 120V house current vice 110VDC the radio was designed for. An 80 tube is now where the ballast tube used to be, and the output is 2 45 tubes vice the 71s the radio was originally designed for. The rest of the tube compliment is 1 17 tube and 3 14 tubes. Interesting to note that the filament voltage for the 17 and 14 tubes is 13.5V !

http://s1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa37...ilco%2046/

[codefox1]

It would be interesting to know how long ago these mods were done. I wonder whether it was out of necessity, as in WW2 when parts were hard to get, or just someone wanting to hot rod a set. Anyway, very interesting. Is there now a power transformer? Else how did they get the 45's lit?

[Ron Ramirez]

Here's one of Tom's photos, showing the power transformer.

[Image: http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k420/.../46mod.jpg]

This looks like someone was trying to fix it up, but gave up on it. The front panel and dial scale look new.

Interesting that they installed 45 tubes in place of the 71A tubes. I wonder why, since someone went to the trouble of installing a power transformer to convert the 46 to AC operation, they didn't go ahead and change the 14 tubes to 24A tubes, and the 17 to a 27?

[TA Forbes]

Hello, Ron: yes, the transformer is located to the left of the dial. Not a very large unit. It appears to be a fairly recent mod.

[TA Forbes]

Yes, the original dial was shattered. The replacement came with the radio. Do not know why the mix of tubes was utilized. The radio works well. Had to rebuild the speaker.

[TA Forbes]

Oh yes, and the front panel was cleaned with a wire brush in order to affiz the dial to it. I used contact cement. I did not have any fasteners or rivets that could be used.

[Radioroslyn]

Hi Tom,
So how is it coming along? Have you converted it back to the original configuration or going to try to make it work with that transformer?
I think if I were working on it I would get rid or the transformer and put it back to original. Use a stout silicon diode to rectify the line. Since you are missing the ballast tube that could be replaced with some resistors or a diode or a bit of both.
Terry

[TA Forbes]

Hello, Terry: I just returned home from NY tuesday and finally got to working on my radios today. Oh yes, and I need to post pics of my 623 and 97. I never did take pics of the RCA, it is still in NY, had no room for it to return with me. It is similar to the RCA 222 that was recently in eBay, but my example has a "shelf" underneath the cabinet between the 4 cabinet "legs."

I am finishing the cabinet for my 46, and have done nothing with the electronics since I initially powered it on and got it working. Since a chunk is missing from the chassis, I am inclined to keep it the way it is now.

The cabinet is coming out well, now I am starting to spray clear coats.