needs recapping after 51 years!and its the new 12v system!

[kc8adu]

got a stunned look from one of my car stereo repair customers tonight.
had this cranked up on wlw playing a reds game to test it.
he had never seen a tube before and couldnt believe how this thing sounded without a 1000w amp!
plenty loud in a big warehouse.
they dont make them like this anymore.

[PeteS in CA]

Re: needs recapping after 51 years!and its the new 12v system!

Cool! Mercury vapor rectifier. Is the vibrator in the radio or elsewhere in the car? The vibrator was used basically to create a square wave (think of an astable multivibrator implemented using a SPDT relay) that was stepped up by a transformer and then rectified by the 0Z4 to create the plate voltage for the tubes.

[kc8adu]

Re: needs recapping after 51 years!and its the new 12v system!

vibrator is lower left under the power transformer.
0z4 rectifier is above.
i get lots of antique tube radios in for repair here.several car collectors here keep me busy.

[BassetElectronics]

Re: needs recapping after 51 years!and its the new 12v system!

Geez, it ONLY lasted 51 years!? Can you get a refund? Or at least some warranty coverage?

I couldn't resist.....

Its really nice to see someone using tubes in a car. I love the sound of tubes. Unfortunately, I've never really had the patience, knowledge, or money for tubes (good new equipment is mucho expensive and good older equipment takes care, time, money, and some expertise to maintain). Still, solid state just doesn't compare. Unfortunately, I think most people under about, say, 25 don't even know that tube equipment exists.

[denyu]

Re: needs recapping after 51 years!and its the new 12v system!

whew that was something ...

[japlytic]

Re: needs recapping after 51 years!and its the new 12v system!

The 0Z4 is actually a cold cathode rectifier, and in a book I have read, faulty units can cause interference to the reception. There are some radios which can be replaced with a thermonic rectifier, such as a 6X5.
Hint: Check the buffer capacitor (usually 2kV) with an insulation tester (remove from the circuit first) or replace it if it is a paper unit. Vibrator failure is often caused by buffer capacitor failure.

[kc8adu]

Re: needs recapping after 51 years!and its the new 12v system!

those buffer caps are one of the first to get replaced.and since i have about 500 milspec 0z4 in stock it gets replaced too.
all paper and electrolytics get replaced.
even have to pull the i.f transformers on some to fix silver migration in caps built in to the bottom.
tubes are usually still good.i find very few bad.

[arneson]

Re: needs recapping after 51 years!and its the new 12v system!

KC,
Be sure and fill that, Date of Repair label.
RCA must keep track of that.