Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

My Brand Z G725
#1

Hi Guys,

Here's my latest project Zenith Model G725 . When I got it all it did was have a loud hum at any volume. I replaced all the electrolytics and wax caps. Replaced any resistor out of specs. I tested all the tubes and they check ok.
So, now, with the volume turned all the way down I get a loud hum. Once I move the control any amount, the hum goes away and the radio sounds great-AM and FM.
Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

Thanks,

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

#2

I am far from a chassis guy so I wont give any advice but I like to respond to posts I read.

Kirk

Times I have been electrocuted in 2021
As of 1/01/2021
AC: 4 DC: 1
Last year: 6
#3

Heater-cathode short in a tube? That's the first thing that comes to my mind...

Also make sure all leads are properly soldered to the volume control; if the low end of the control comes unsoldered from ground or B-, it could also produce this effect.

--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
#4

Thanks Ron,

I swapped each tube with known good ones, one at a time. I resoldered each terminal of the vol control. Could it be the vol control itself?

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

#5

Could be...measure across the two outer terminals and see if you get anything close to the rated resistance. If not, then you have a problem.

Preferably using an analog VOM, measure between the center terminal and one of the outer terminals. Holding the test leads in place (alligator clips come in handy here), slowly turn the control from one end to the other. If the resistance does not change smoothly but jumps open here and there...then you have a problem.

--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
#6

This might sound silly, but did you clean the controls? Sometimes a dirty control pot or even tube socket can cause hum as well.

No matter where you go, there you are.
#7

No problem with any resistance readings, Ron. Jayce, I wish it were that simple. That was done while replacing all of the components.

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

#8

The box of the pot is groundedvi a a cap.....have you cheked it?
Also, the quality of the speaker voice coil grounding, look at it.
#9

The cap checks good, Mike. Voice coil ground is ok.
Now, for the good news. There's a 1k resistor that goes from the low terminal of the volume control to ground. The 1k resistor was right on. I jumped it with another resistor and the hum went away. After some experimenting I settled on a 470 ohm resistor to replace the 1k. I'm sure someone can tell me why it works, but it sounds great now!
Thanks everyone for your input. I hope you all had a good Christmas and looking forward to a healthy and happy new year.

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

#10

Could be an inductive wirewound resistor you had before that picked up noise.....which then could mean that if you re-oriented it the noise could've been attenuated. A wild guess.....
#11

Nope. Carbon resistor.

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





Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
Philco 46-420 Code 121 Reception issues
Welcome Eric, I agree with Bob and far as the two main electrolytic filter capacitors did you change them yourself or w...radiorich — 11:43 PM
Philco 46-420 Code 121 Reception issues
You mentioned the Philco manual and going through the check points...just to be sure we're on the same page here's the m...klondike98 — 08:13 PM
Philco 42-1008 conversion kit
Interesting. I haven't seen that before.klondike98 — 07:02 PM
12' Philco
Yes I had looked for it on the web as well some time back and could not find it. I was glad to see it turned up in Ron'...klondike98 — 06:59 PM
Shadow Meter Bulb
Now if you had a set with a tuning light then the bulb type is important to the circuit, some sets used those prior to t...Arran — 04:58 PM
Shadow Meter Bulb
Ok. Thanks for the correction.RossH — 03:09 PM
Model 28L
For 28 you will probably need to buy a Hammond 125CSE. Or any of the series of the power you need, with SE suffix. Then ...morzh — 02:09 PM
37-60 revision 6
I am restoring a Philco 37-60 and it shows run 6 they removed the ground from G3 of the 6K7G and put the G3 to -2.5v for...bobbyd1200 — 01:01 PM
Shadow Meter Bulb
Mike is correct on the bulb connection, two separate circuits. I found that by rotating the bulb and sliding it forward ...RodB — 12:19 PM
Hickok AC51 tube tester
Cleaned ann contacts, switches and sockets, works great now.martinj — 11:32 AM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently 3495 online users. [Complete List]
» 1 Member(s) | 3494 Guest(s)
Avatar

>