04-23-2023, 11:43 PM
mike,
the capacitor, 61-0086 is 3 electrolytics in one can. https://philcoradio.com/library/index.ph...ondensers/ . All of them should be replaced, but the radio will work with them in place. the one that must be replaced, or removed temporarily, is the buffer cap across the rectifier tube, 7Y4? the buffer cap is connected to 2 leads coming out of a transformer. it protects the vibrator but can be removed temporarily. any 1600 volt cap with the right capacitance [or close] will do.
in the end, you'll want a solid state vibrator. but better to use a mechanical vibrator while you are working on the radio. a short will fry most solid state vibrators. in particular, the one from tubesandmore. never mind that $42 makes me vibrate.
sounds like you have the original vibrator working, but you can check it with a 9 volt battery. touch the 2 contacts of the battery to the 2 fat pins on the vibrator. if it's working, you'll feel it buzz. I'll send you one if you like. For now, test the AC voltage across the buffer cap. If the vibrator is making contact, that voltage should be 300 volts AC or more.
you can check the caps with a multimeter that has a capacitance tester. but all the tubular ones and the cans should be replaced.
do you have a model no. for the radio? with that, you [and I] can find the schematic online. probably at http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/303/T0000303.htm
bob
the capacitor, 61-0086 is 3 electrolytics in one can. https://philcoradio.com/library/index.ph...ondensers/ . All of them should be replaced, but the radio will work with them in place. the one that must be replaced, or removed temporarily, is the buffer cap across the rectifier tube, 7Y4? the buffer cap is connected to 2 leads coming out of a transformer. it protects the vibrator but can be removed temporarily. any 1600 volt cap with the right capacitance [or close] will do.
in the end, you'll want a solid state vibrator. but better to use a mechanical vibrator while you are working on the radio. a short will fry most solid state vibrators. in particular, the one from tubesandmore. never mind that $42 makes me vibrate.
sounds like you have the original vibrator working, but you can check it with a 9 volt battery. touch the 2 contacts of the battery to the 2 fat pins on the vibrator. if it's working, you'll feel it buzz. I'll send you one if you like. For now, test the AC voltage across the buffer cap. If the vibrator is making contact, that voltage should be 300 volts AC or more.
you can check the caps with a multimeter that has a capacitance tester. but all the tubular ones and the cans should be replaced.
do you have a model no. for the radio? with that, you [and I] can find the schematic online. probably at http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/303/T0000303.htm
bob