Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

[ratdude747]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

why?
all the caps are new now.
first test with a dimbulb if it makes you feel better.double check your work and fire it up.worst case you got the 2 filter caps in backwards.
watch the 35z5/35w4 as it warms up.
if it gets suddenly bright pull the plug you have a b+ short.

I did make a series bulb tester... I thought the variac was more for the other parts.

[ratdude747]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

Good news: I tested it... and electrically, everything works, clock included.

Bad news: the damned tuner string still slips on the tuner pulley. lubing the varible capacitor helped but didn't stop the slippage.

What would be a sutable material to replace the string?

[ben7]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

I don't know what would be suitable (never fixed a tube radio), but is there a spring and adjustment on there somewhere, to adjust the tension?

[ratdude747]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

I don't know what would be suitable (never fixed a tube radio), but is there a spring and adjustment on there somewhere, to adjust the tension?

there is a tensioner spring built into the variable capacitor pullley. It's plenty tight. the string seems to be too slick.

[bluto]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

You can get dial cord by the foot at a place like this:

http://www.tubesandmore.com/products...ial%20Material

or this guy: http://www.oldradioparts.com/ (beware he is kinda cranky)

[kc8adu]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

black dacron fishing line.
btw you can use that phono input as an "ipod input".
just tie r+l together.

Good news: I tested it... and electrically, everything works, clock included.

Bad news: the damned tuner string still slips on the tuner pulley. lubing the varible capacitor helped but didn't stop the slippage.

What would be a sutable material to replace the string?

[smason]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

Wait... I did use red mylar film caps. Was that a mistake?

Oh noes! U won't get teh pure tonez unless you use an orange drop.

[ratdude747]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

black dacron fishing line.

I'll grab some of that then...

btw you can use that phono input as an "ipod input".
just tie r+l together.

Why would I want to do that? as a prank?

[kc8adu]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

no just to be able to play an external stereo source through an antique radio.
there is no problem doing this.a common mod to radios that dont have it.

[ratdude747]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

no just to be able to play an external stereo source through an antique radio.
there is no problem doing this.a common mod to radios that dont have it.

I mean why would I want to do that? It's not like it has real amplification power/sound quality... it has a single crappy speaker...

[bluto]

Re: Vintage GE Alarm clock/ tube radio

Mainly just to hear something decent playing through it. Around here AM broadcasts are pretty much useless, like all political talk shows (not naming names), jesus oriented, or spanish language. The ocassional ballgame is about all there is worth listening to on AM.