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

48-482- Weird Problem
#1

Hi Guys,
I've got a 48-482 that I received not working (just static) a few months ago. All caps and any questionable resistors have been replaced. All tubes have been double checked. It has been a fill in project. So far I'm just concerned with AM. I got into it again and this is what I found:
I get nice loud static with any type of antenna. Following the directions for alignment I am able to get a good tone at 455Khz and was able to align it. That's as far as it goes. Still static on any dial position. I tried to get a tone at 1000Khz so I set my sig generator and set the radio dial to 1000. Nothing. I tried it again but had the antenna wire connected to one antenna input. This is when the crazy stuff started. Instead of a tone from my sig gen, I picked up a local radio station. As I turned the dial on the signal gen, I was able to pull in all my local AM stations.
What do you think?

Thanks,
Eric

Eric
The Villages, FL
Member: Philco Phorum, ARF, ARCI & Radiomuseum.org

#2

I think the oscillator is dead. Check the coils. How about any mica caps in the oscillator circuit? These can and do go bad.

--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
#3

Thanks Ron, I'll take a look. Is it best to just use an ohm meter to check the coils for continuity? Should they be disconnected from the circuit?

Eric
The Villages, FL
Member: Philco Phorum, ARF, ARCI & Radiomuseum.org

#4

Eric, the ohm meter is just fine and checking in circuit is usually fine as well. All coils should show a very low resistance.
Jerry

A friend in need is a pest!  Bill Slee ca 1970.
#5

Hi Jerry,

All of the coils are .1 or 0 ohms. My DVOM has a setting for checking caps but it doesn't appear to be very accurate. Should I be looking for an open, short or what on these mica caps?

Thanks,
Eric

Eric
The Villages, FL
Member: Philco Phorum, ARF, ARCI & Radiomuseum.org

#6

Either open, short, or leakage.

--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
#7

Ron,
What's the best way to test for leakage?

Thanks,
Eric

Eric
The Villages, FL
Member: Philco Phorum, ARF, ARCI & Radiomuseum.org

#8

There are - or should I say were - capacitor testers on the market that would test for leakage, shorts, etc.

If it were me, I'd just replace the D**n things and be done with it. Others will chime in with their opinions...hopefully. Icon_smile

--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
#9

Ceramic cap exposed to a reasonably high constant (not AC) voltage should exhibit practically zero current. The insulation resistance is typically in hundreds to thousands MOhms.
The datasheet will specify that for every type. Anything below that is leakage. An egregious leakage basically turns a cap into a resistor, which you do not want.
#10

Long ago, a mentor told me the best way to test wax caps and electrolytic caps was to remove them, hold them over an empty metal trash can and drop them. If they make a nice noise when they land, they were bad. Your coils look good to go.
Jerry

A friend in need is a pest!  Bill Slee ca 1970.
#11

And I can still make a fairly accurate voltage measurement holding the leads to my tongue.
The only problem is the range is limited to 10-12V. Icon_lol
#12

Agreed, capacitors, toss 'em. Easy and cheap enough to replace carbon resistors at the same time. Long term reliability and performance results.
#13

Every electrolytic and wax cap was replaced as the first step. Are you suggesting that I just replace EVERY mica cap?

Eric
The Villages, FL
Member: Philco Phorum, ARF, ARCI & Radiomuseum.org

#14

No, micas can be left in.

Papers and lytics have to go.
#15

They are all long gone. Any idea how to address my original problem?

Eric
The Villages, FL
Member: Philco Phorum, ARF, ARCI & Radiomuseum.org





Users browsing this thread: 4 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
trying to identify this wire type
Thanks to all for the feedback. As Arran said, it is probably an older replacement and yes it has a grid cap so I will ...georgetownjohn — 09:32 PM
trying to identify this wire type
It's possible that the red wire, actually a grid cap lead, is a very old replacement, I can't remember seeing a pre 1939...Arran — 09:18 PM
Gilfillan Brothers Car Radio?
Hi everyone,  Special thanks to Joe Rossi for tracking down this obscure radio and thanks to others who took up the hun...Antipodal — 08:15 PM
trying to identify this wire type
Here's one source for your wire of many. Take care and BE HEALTHY! Gary P.S. Can't get the right color you need? I ...GarySP — 06:40 PM
trying to identify this wire type
...and modern wire of the appropriate gauges and insulation V-rating (300V minimum, usually shown right on the wire) is ...morzh — 05:47 PM
1930s Stromberg-Carlson Tombstone Radio need help identifying model number
I have a question about this radio, is there anyone that has access to this radio that has an intact unmolested speaker ...captainclock1988 — 04:28 PM
1930s Stromberg-Carlson Tombstone Radio need help identifying model number
Well what makes me confuse all of those companies is that all three of those companies (Setchell-Carlson, Stromberg-Carl...captainclock1988 — 04:21 PM
trying to identify this wire type
The red wire is rubber covered wire. The others are cotton braid over rubber often in colors or a tracer, also strand...Chas — 02:43 PM
trying to identify this wire type
Greetings Phorum members, Hope you can help me identify this type of wire in the photo I have attached.  I am not sure ...georgetownjohn — 01:53 PM
Philco 60 Squealing
All correct shields must be in place, all tubes correct no subs of any kind. Check any soldered, riveted ground conne...Chas — 01:24 PM

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

>