Regentone Handygram. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

FERNSEH · 28th Mar 2023, 5:40 pm

This 1950s record player is in the workshop for repair.
Fault is no sound from the loudspeaker. This was found to be a faulty volume control.
Unlike the Regentone Handygram model AHG3F which is in 1955/56 Radio and Television the example here does not have a double wound mains transformer or a contact cooled HT rectifier. An UY41 is employed instead.
So the circuit is of the live chassis technique. No isolation capacitors are used between the pickup and volume control. Might be desirable to fit such components.
The original pickup should be replaced with one more suited to modern records?

DFWB.

Edward Huggins · 28th Mar 2023, 5:51 pm

If you are looking to replace the cartridge (you said "pickup") with one that will safely play "modern" records ( I assume you mean "stereo") you will have a job to find a suitable cartridge. But you can still find one suitable for Mono (high-output 8 TCH) only at £36-00. Your option is to use a pre-amp. But might be a step too far? This player is far from ideal for use with Stereo LPs. You could add "Y" class caps to isolate the pick up.

FERNSEH · 29th Mar 2023, 3:14 pm

The reason why I accepted this record player for repair was after consulting the '55/56 R & T servicing book the circuit showed it had a mains transformer and therefore isolated from the mains.
Rather disappointed to discover the record player under discussion has the usual 70volt tap on the motor windings to supply the UL41 and UY41 valve heaters.
The attachment shows the mains transformer version.

DFWB.

vidjoman · 29th Mar 2023, 4:27 pm

The name 'Handygram' was used as a generic name on many of their record players.
I think most single play players, of almost all makes, never had isolation transformers because of cost.

Michael Maurice · 29th Mar 2023, 10:31 pm

The turntable is a Collaro. Does the turntable work? Can you do me a favour: Lift the turntable off and measure the diameter of the jockey wheel?

FERNSEH · 30th Mar 2023, 5:49 pm

Hi Michael, the turntable works fine. The jockey pulley has a diameter of 40mm and is approximately 2.2mm thick. The pulley that drives the turntable rim has a diameter of 17mm.

DFWB.

FERNSEH · 31st Mar 2023, 9:47 pm

Surely the manufacturer didn't do this rough work?

DFWB.

slidertogrid · 31st Mar 2023, 9:56 pm

I wouldn't be surprised, it looks as if the original fixings missed the batten! Over the years I have seen similar bodges. Dansette seemed to let almost anything pass!

28th Mar 2023, 5:40 pm	#1
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Regentone Handygram. This 1950s record player is in the workshop for repair. Fault is no sound from the loudspeaker. This was found to be a faulty volume control. Unlike the Regentone Handygram model AHG3F which is in 1955/56 Radio and Television the example here does not have a double wound mains transformer or a contact cooled HT rectifier. An UY41 is employed instead. So the circuit is of the live chassis technique. No isolation capacitors are used between the pickup and volume control. Might be desirable to fit such components. The original pickup should be replaced with one more suited to modern records? DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

28th Mar 2023, 5:51 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Regentone Handygram. If you are looking to replace the cartridge (you said "pickup") with one that will safely play "modern" records ( I assume you mean "stereo") you will have a job to find a suitable cartridge. But you can still find one suitable for Mono (high-output 8 TCH) only at £36-00. Your option is to use a pre-amp. But might be a step too far? This player is far from ideal for use with Stereo LPs. You could add "Y" class caps to isolate the pick up. __________________ Edward.

29th Mar 2023, 3:14 pm	#3
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Regentone Handygram. The reason why I accepted this record player for repair was after consulting the '55/56 R & T servicing book the circuit showed it had a mains transformer and therefore isolated from the mains. Rather disappointed to discover the record player under discussion has the usual 70volt tap on the motor windings to supply the UL41 and UY41 valve heaters. The attachment shows the mains transformer version. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

29th Mar 2023, 4:27 pm	#4
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: Regentone Handygram. The name 'Handygram' was used as a generic name on many of their record players. I think most single play players, of almost all makes, never had isolation transformers because of cost.

29th Mar 2023, 10:31 pm	#5
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,224	Re: Regentone Handygram. The turntable is a Collaro. Does the turntable work? Can you do me a favour: Lift the turntable off and measure the diameter of the jockey wheel? __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

30th Mar 2023, 5:49 pm	#6
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Regentone Handygram. Hi Michael, the turntable works fine. The jockey pulley has a diameter of 40mm and is approximately 2.2mm thick. The pulley that drives the turntable rim has a diameter of 17mm. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

31st Mar 2023, 9:47 pm	#7
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Regentone Handygram. Surely the manufacturer didn't do this rough work? DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

31st Mar 2023, 9:56 pm	#8
slidertogrid Octode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,898	Re: Regentone Handygram. I wouldn't be surprised, it looks as if the original fixings missed the batten! Over the years I have seen similar bodges. Dansette seemed to let almost anything pass!