[Phlogiston]

Hi Guy's,
Have picked up a 1930 atwater kent model 70 today.
Guy I bought it from said he replaced all the caps and resistors,but not the filter caps.Guess they checked good.
I did a little research,and apparently these filter caps are non-polarized and mounted inside soldered cans.
Anyone know an easy way to get these cans apart and replace the caps?
Or,should I leave it alone as long as its working good.
Cabinet is in good shape,so I figured it's probably worth the $70 he wants for it.
Thanks
murf

When I really want a challenge or am REALY board I'll replace those caps.

One day those caps are going to fail, but, as compared to many radios of that vintage, a lot of the AK filter caps seem to be OK. So, many people leave them alone. And, if you don't intend to use it much and never leave the room while it is on, that is probably ok. On the bright side they are not as hard to get to as an AK 40 or the like.

Some people will ad filter caps under the chassis and leave the old cans where they are. I do not like my old radios to look like they have been worked on, so all of mine need to be replaced within the old cans. My only firm suggestion would be, not to do anything you can't undo later, like throw them away.


I use a torch to take the cans apart. DO THIS OUTSIDE. There will be smoke. The faster you move the better. Heating too much will burn the plating off of the can, and, did I mention the smoke from the old wax?
I have also used a heat gun on high, it will melt solder.