12-06-2014, 08:55 PM
When the Rittenhouse stopped working last week, I decided that this would be the perfect time to do something I had wanted to do almost since we moved in this house - pull the unit from the wall and replace all of the 50+ year old electrolytic capacitors.
But the first order of business was to find out why the unit was no longer getting power.
I soon found the culprit.
[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00002.jpg]
That's the original 24 volt transformer on the left. I know this is the original transformer because it has "Rittenhouse" stamped into the case. It's a good thing it also had the voltage and VA rating stamped into it!
The new transformer on the right, obviously from Ace Hardware, is rated at 24 volts, 15 VA. The original Rittenhouse was rated at 24 volts, 10 VA. So the Ace transformer will be an excellent replacement.
How did I know the original transformer was bad? Not only was 24 volts AC no longer getting to the master control box upstairs, but the transformer had a terrible burnt smell, so it had died the death.
[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00003.jpg]
The transformer mounted on a junction box in the basement, on the metal cover of the box through which the wires ran. The replacement transformer, shown here already mounted to the metal cover, mounts in the same way.
One good feature the new transformer has, which the old one didn't: a ground wire.
[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00004.jpg]
Here is the new transformer mounted onto the junction box in the basement. Previously, the wires leading to the master control unit were merely stripped and wrapped around the 24 volt screws. I added the spade terminals for a neater installation.
After installing the new transformer, I turned on the breaker and checked the box which holds the master control unit. Yes, now it was receiving power as it should!
But the first order of business was to find out why the unit was no longer getting power.
I soon found the culprit.
[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00002.jpg]
That's the original 24 volt transformer on the left. I know this is the original transformer because it has "Rittenhouse" stamped into the case. It's a good thing it also had the voltage and VA rating stamped into it!
The new transformer on the right, obviously from Ace Hardware, is rated at 24 volts, 15 VA. The original Rittenhouse was rated at 24 volts, 10 VA. So the Ace transformer will be an excellent replacement.
How did I know the original transformer was bad? Not only was 24 volts AC no longer getting to the master control box upstairs, but the transformer had a terrible burnt smell, so it had died the death.
[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00003.jpg]
The transformer mounted on a junction box in the basement, on the metal cover of the box through which the wires ran. The replacement transformer, shown here already mounted to the metal cover, mounts in the same way.
One good feature the new transformer has, which the old one didn't: a ground wire.
[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...e00004.jpg]
Here is the new transformer mounted onto the junction box in the basement. Previously, the wires leading to the master control unit were merely stripped and wrapped around the 24 volt screws. I added the spade terminals for a neater installation.
After installing the new transformer, I turned on the breaker and checked the box which holds the master control unit. Yes, now it was receiving power as it should!
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
![[-]](https://philcoradio.com/phorum/images/bootbb/collapse.png "[-]")
