[Ron Ramirez]

Sam, here's a few pictures for you.

A close-up of the top of the power transformer:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_016.jpg]

Notice what looks like a knob on top, with an arrow pointing to the "100-130" position. That isn't a knob; it is a plug with four contacts.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_018.jpg]

You are looking at the bottom side of that plug, showing the key and four contacts.

Now, see the top of the transformer with the plug removed:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_017.jpg]

Notice that there are two keyways, allowing the plug to be inserted one of two ways.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_019.jpg]

Here, with the plug inserted in the other position, it is now pointing to the "200-260" position and is now set for operation on 230-240 volt AC. Moving this plug from one position to the other is how the power transformer was set for the proper input line voltage. (I moved it back to the 100-130 position after taking this photo.)

[Ron Ramirez]

Let's take a closer look at several of the paper capacitors found in this radio.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_020.jpg]

Most (but not all) of these capacitors have handwritten Philco part numbers on them.

Some of the caps are Philco branded while the rest are Sprague capacitors with Philco part numbers handwritten on them.

I recall seeing some Philco paper caps with a part number such as 30-xxxx-S. I now believe that the "S" stands for Sprague. In a similar manner, I have seen Philco transformers from the 1929-1931 era with a part number such as 2766J - the "J", I believe, stood for Jefferson Transformer Co.

[Mondial]

It really does look like that radio was a prototype or pre-production sample.

Even the metal chassis seems to be modified. If you look closely at the photos it appears that the holes for two tube sockets were punched and then filled in again, with tiny spot welds retaining the filler slugs.

I think you are right regarding the Sprague caps and the "S" suffix. I believe the ones with no suffix are Cornell-Dubilier caps. They owned the patent 1,900,093 which appears on all of them and must have also licensed the patent to Sprague.

[sam]

ron
thanks for the close up on tans
off hand do you know what others use that trans ?
thanks sam 

[Ron Ramirez]

off hand do you know what others use that trans ?

Off hand - No, no I don't. If I don't forget I'll look it up tomorrow.

[Ron Ramirez]

By this afternoon, the chassis looked like this:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_021.jpg]

Most of the restuffed paper capacitors are now back in place. The two IF transformers now have new wires and have been reinstalled.

It really does look like that radio was a prototype or pre-production sample.

And now I am even more convinced of this.

Let's look at the audio output transformer.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_022.jpg]

It does not show well in this photo, but the top of the transformer is rubber stamped with the PHILCO name and the part number: 32-8018M. (I am assuming M = Merit Transformer Corp.)

32-8018 is the proper part number for the production 40-715 output transformer, according to the parts list.

But now take a look at what I revealed when I melted the wax from the sides of the transformer:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_023.jpg]

In case you cannot read it, the following was handwritten on the insulating paper on one side:

PHILCO
32M
9543
SAMPLE
8-17-38



8-17-38?!?!?

Well, my feeling is that this transformer may have been left over from the previous year and was then used in this set, which must surely be a prototype or pre-production sample. I'll have to see if I can find a 32-9543 listing in one of my Philco parts catalogs and see if its characteristics match the 32-8018.

Oh, I forgot to mention: This chassis has a four digit serial number stamped into the back, followed by a date of sometime in June, 1939 - which would have been the beginning of the 1940 selling season. As shown earlier, this radio has a conventional Philco Tropic metal model number tag on the back of the chassis. (I'll try to take a photo of that serial number and stamped date tomorrow.)

So maybe I should have left it alone. But this radio, like my 42-720EZ, was obviously used over the years. It's just a shame that the original electrolytics are now gone; I think if it had been completely untouched, I would have just left it as a shelf queen.

Well, in any event, here's how it looks now.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_024.jpg]

I removed the off-on-tone switch to make it easier to install the electrolytics (once I get two of those, that is).

Remaining work to do:

Attach a new power cord.
Replace the dry-rotted speaker cable.
Find and restuff two electrolytic cans, then install them into the radio.
Reinstall the off-on-tone switch.
Install one remaining restuffed paper capacitor.

[Ron Ramirez]

I do not see a 32-9543 in the 1941 or 1946 Philco parts catalogs, so that number is a mystery.

32-7978 is listed in the 1946 catalog as a replacement for the 32-8018. 6K primary to 5 ohm voice coil, single ended, 6 watts.

[Ron Ramirez]

Oh, Mondial - Thanks for the info regarding Sprague and Cornell Dubilier caps, good to know.

[Joe Rossi]

What a treat to watch the master at work!

[Ron Ramirez]

Joe, you're very kind and I appreciate that, but I am not the master; I do know the Master and defer to Him when it comes to titles like that. I'm just a flawed man who's been playing around with this stuff for 41 years. And I like to think I've learned a few things along the way.

[Ron Ramirez]

thanks for the close up on tans
off hand do you know what others use that trans ?

P/N 32-8006

Used in models 40-715, 40-725. No others that I can find.

[sam]

great job ron
like how your leaving it as is 
 I looked both other radios are rare aren't they
sam

[Ron Ramirez]

Sam, the 40-715 and 40-725 are both Tropic models, so yes, they are rare birds.

Today, I installed a new power cord, made a new speaker cable from three cloth-covered wires, and also restuffed one electrolytic capacitor can and installed it. This one is grounded to the chassis so I was able to use one I had in my stash of stuff.

John Kendall had an electrolytic can from a 40-180 with the insulators, so I ordered it and once it arrives, I'll restuff and install it, and that should just about wrap this one up.

[Ron Ramirez]

The electrolytic from Vintage Electronics arrived today. (Man, that was fast service! )

Here's a photo after I had cut it open for restuffing:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_025.jpg]

That can was restuffed and installed, final loose ends taken care of, and it now looks like this underneath:

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/images/phorum...5T_026.jpg]

It looks much neater under the chassis with the restuffed can electrolytics instead of the sloppily installed electrolytics that were under the chassis.

So, I tried it out with the 84 rectifier unplugged. A wise decision, as it turned out - as soon as I turned the thing on, I noticed the magic smoke coming out. Another quick look indicated the smoke was coming from between the two plate terminals of the 84 tube socket, and a blister had appeared in the wafer between the two plate pins on the underside of the socket.

Obviously, something caused a carbon track to be burned between the rectifier plates.

So I'll have to replace that socket. I shall do so, and try it again.

Just for fun, I ran a brief test after disconnecting all five wires from that socket. No more smoke was evident, and the AC voltage from plate to plate measured 665 volts AC. The service data does not give the AC voltage between the rectifier plates, but the schematic indicates 330 volts DC from B+ to B- across the input electrolytic capacitor (42). So, 665 volts AC across the rectifier plates sounds like a reasonable figure and there should not be any more issues once the rectifier socket is replaced. (I hope.)

[Joe Rossi]

Joe, you're very kind and I appreciate that, but I am not the master; I do know the Master and defer to Him when it comes to titles like that. I'm just a flawed man who's been playing around with this stuff for 41 years. And I like to think I've learned a few things along the way.

I understand you as I know the Master too, and yet He gives us certain talents and abilities that we possess.  When it comes to  radios, the honorific 'master' belongs to you in recognition of the skill the Master has given you!  Dang, I just dabbled in religion...don't suspend me bro'!    It is still good to see your step-by-step handiwork.

Joe