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Old 29th May 2021, 5:47 pm   #21
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

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It looks, by the pictures, that it was restored recently.
Indeed, those yellow caps say it all. I didn't know that the colour of a bead in a lamp was a designation of rating, most sensible. Once working it's time for a pantry transmitter to get a better selection of radio stations (or whatever you like, 1950's jazz would be appropriate or some of the excellent USA radio plays) on it.

The Americans did a good job of making a set of valves that would sit on the mains without droppers and made small sets like this possible and affordable.
 
Old 29th May 2021, 5:49 pm   #22
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it is too nice not to be functional!
Yes, indeed.
 
Old 29th May 2021, 7:59 pm   #23
sweepthedog
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

Thanks everyone ill keep you updated .

However Watch this space if it goes wrong! Haha��
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Old 3rd Jun 2021, 2:24 pm   #24
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

Hi guys

I plugged in it and nothing. I haven't changed the bulb yet as it hasn't arrived but there's no sound coming out no matter how much I fiddle with the dials.
Is thst a bad sign or should I wait for the bulbs?

Thanks!
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Old 3rd Jun 2021, 4:47 pm   #25
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

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Hi guys

I plugged in it and nothing. I haven't changed the bulb yet as it hasn't arrived but there's no sound coming out no matter how much I fiddle with the dials.
Is thst a bad sign or should I wait for the bulbs?

Thanks!
Upon applying excessive voltage, possibly a valve heater or the 50 ohm dropper resistor was burned out plus the dial lamp. Check the heater continuity with a multi-meter set on low ohms range.
That set uses the older compliment of 150ma valves.
See schematic on the website, "Nostalgia Air" under Sears Roebuck model 6179.
Dave, USradcoll1, A great deal of experience repairing US made sets.
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Old 3rd Jun 2021, 5:11 pm   #26
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

Thanks
I have never used a multimeter before I do this with the radio off right?
If not I might ask someone to repair it for me.

If the valve heater is damaged will that mean a replacement valve itself, I would rather leave them in as they are dated FEB 1939 which is interesting.

One final question, should it crackle at least even with no reception or could the silence by a reception thing?

Cheers
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Old 3rd Jun 2021, 6:00 pm   #27
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

Did you smell anything when you plgged it into the adaptor before? That is normally a good indicator if something got fried.

Ideally you check voltages on the valve bases, but it is a very compact layout, not so easy to take readings if you are not confident and do not have a well insulated point on the test lead.
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Old 3rd Jun 2021, 6:31 pm   #28
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

There was no smell or no smoke, the component also dont look fried in the circuit picture.
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Old 3rd Jun 2021, 7:25 pm   #29
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There was no smell or no smoke, the component also dont look fried in the circuit picture.
It either a valve that has an open heater or the 50&50 ohm wire wound resistor, mounted on the chassis.
It's that metal strip shown it the under chassis photo with three terminal on it. When failing, it will not smoke or smell, but fail just the same!
They used it because the valve heaters didn't add up to 110/120 volts. The later sets did not use a dropping resistor because the 50L6GT output valve was introduced.
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Old 3rd Jun 2021, 8:03 pm   #30
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

You mean this weird looking thing? Haha
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Old 3rd Jun 2021, 8:15 pm   #31
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

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You mean this weird looking thing? Haha
No, head north, it's to the left of the tag strip.

Lawrence.
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Old 3rd Jun 2021, 11:36 pm   #32
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

Thanks Are they easy to locate and buy?
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Old 4th Jun 2021, 12:46 am   #33
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Thanks Are they easy to locate and buy?
FAIK, they no longer make them.
You have to drill out the rivets and mount a tag strip and source two 50ohm 5 watt wire wound resistors connected the same. You have to determine which section is burned out, or maybe both. You could possibly bridge the open section using the resistor in place as a tag strip. Some restorers frown on the practice! You still have to get comfortable with using a multi-meter to be able to trouble shoot yourself. Dave, USradcoll1
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Old 4th Jun 2021, 3:28 pm   #34
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

These steel cased droppers were made by "canadohm" and are long since obsolete. I suppose the advantage of them was that a direct chassis fit allowed better cooling. I came across one in an old Paramount radio a few months ago.
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Old 4th Jun 2021, 3:58 pm   #35
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These steel cased droppers were made by "canadohm" and are long since obsolete. I suppose the advantage of them was that a direct chassis fit allowed better cooling. I came across one in an old Paramount radio a few months ago.
Neil
Many US sets used them for a voltage divider. Also in the grid bias circuit. It eliminated individual high wattage resistors and the need for a tag strip.
They were being made until the early 60's. Just about all US firms used them!
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Old 4th Jun 2021, 4:01 pm   #36
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

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Originally Posted by sweepthedog View Post
Thanks Are they easy to locate and buy?
FAIK, they no longer make them.
You have to drill out the rivets and mount a tag strip and source two 50ohm 5 watt wire wound resistors connected the same. You have to determine which section is burned out, or maybe both. You could possibly bridge the open section using the resistor in place as a tag strip. Some restorers frown on the practice! You still have to get comfortable with using a multi-meter to be able to trouble shoot yourself. Dave, USradcoll1
Correcting the last entry, the resistor shunting the panel lamp is a 20ohm and not a 50ohm.
Dave, USradcoll1, as usual!
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Old 4th Jun 2021, 5:09 pm   #37
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

Thanks for all the replies guys.
Unfortunately I havent the foggiest with electronics, I will wait for the bulb to come to double check. I will say the advert where I bought it said 'It crackled but never got reception and needed a ground wire?' This was a person in the States.

I am looking for someone who knows what they are doing to give it the once over retaining the original valves/as many parts as possible.
I live in York, North Yorkshire if anyone knows of anyone local who has experience with US sets?

Cheers
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Old 5th Jun 2021, 12:09 am   #38
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

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Originally Posted by sweepthedog View Post
Thanks for all the replies guys.
Unfortunately I havent the foggiest with electronics, I will wait for the bulb to come to double check. I will say the advert where I bought it said 'It crackled but never got reception and needed a ground wire?' This was a person in the States.

I am looking for someone who knows what they are doing to give it the once over retaining the original valves/as many parts as possible.
I live in York, North Yorkshire if anyone knows of anyone local who has experience with US sets?

Cheers
There is plenty of highly qualified technicians contributing to this website.
Check the parts and repair services offered in this fine forum. I would trust them with my equipment.
Dave, USradcoll1
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Old 5th Jun 2021, 5:56 am   #39
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

Title changed to "Silvertone" which meant hand-editing 38 posts individually.
I suppose it's unlikely that Americans would name a set after a British racing circuit...

Can everyone please take care when typing titles, or if you see an error, report it as soon as possible to minimise the drudgery. Having errors in a title messes things up for people using search engines, and the forum software doesn't seem to handle title editing very well.

Thanks,
David
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Old 6th Jun 2021, 1:47 am   #40
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Default Re: Vintage sears Silvertone radio safety question

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You mean this weird looking thing? Haha
That's the oscillator coil. It looks like the original was replaced by a universal replacement. Maybe that's the reason why it didn't receive any stations, for the seller.
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