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Author Topic: Antique Radio Restoration Project  (Read 3580 times)

Offline ChrisSmolinski

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Antique Radio Restoration Project
« on: December 23, 2018, 1852 UTC »
I picked up this Crosley J30BC antique radio from the Goodwill store for $10 as a restoration project. Looks to be from circa 1940/1941?  One of the tubes is definitely damaged, and the wiring is brittle.











Chris Smolinski
Westminster, MD
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Offline Josh

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2018, 1913 UTC »
Neat layout, hopefully that tube count indicates it has a 1st rf. If so, should be a decent sw/ambc performer with thunderous audio.
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Offline redhat

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2018, 2059 UTC »
The broken tube looks like a 5U4G with an ST shaped envelope.  Very common and easy to find.

Looks like a cool rig.  I'm in the process of getting my great grandfather's late thirties Cornado floor radio going again too.  I'll put a vijeo on youtube when I get it finished.

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Offline ChrisSmolinski

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2018, 2221 UTC »
The broken tube looks like a 5U4G with an ST shaped envelope.  Very common and easy to find.

Looks like a cool rig.  I'm in the process of getting my great grandfather's late thirties Cornado floor radio going again too.  I'll put a vijeo on youtube when I get it finished.

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I have my great grandparents late 1930s GE floor radio for about 15 years now as a restoration project. It works electrically (ironically the only bad tube in it was the rectifier), but still needs cosmetic work.

Eventually I'll get them done and be able to listen to X-FM on them  ;D
Chris Smolinski
Westminster, MD
eQSLs appreciated! csmolinski@blackcatsystems.com
netSDR / AFE822x / AirSpy HF+ / KiwiSDR / 900 ft Horz skyloop / 500 ft NE beverage / 250 ft V Beam / 58 ft T2FD / 120 ft T2FD / 400 ft south beverage / 43m, 20m, 10m  dipoles / Crossed Parallel Loop / Discone in a tree

Offline Pigmeat

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2018, 2328 UTC »
I saw a pristine version of that Crosley at an estate sale about 25 years ago. It was sweet. They wanted 275$ for it then. I thought about the old, "It followed me home", wheeze, but my wife was there.

Offline pinto vortando

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2018, 2338 UTC »
Classic...  could have been in someone's living room when the latest Glenn Miller tune was interrupted to announce the air raid on Pearl Harbor.
Those 6K6s driving a speaker in a wood cabinet should fill the room with nice audio.
Is that coil arrangement some kind of tunable variometer?
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Offline redhat

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #6 on: December 24, 2018, 0003 UTC »
It appears to be Crosley's version of the 'wave magnet' or loop antenna.

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Offline ThaDood

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #7 on: December 24, 2018, 1618 UTC »
NICE!!!! I could imagine listening to the amateur radio AM QSO's on 75M and those Saturday night Newsline transmissions on 160M 1860kHz AM from Missouri, on this console. And, maybe even a pirate catch on 1710kHz. That turntable? Should be good for 78RPM's, and maybe even 16RPM's. And, that speaker could see new life with a silicon lubricant on the cone and diaphragm and give you that nice, rich, deep bassy, tone quality. (Not petroleum based lubes, since they could dissolve the glues.)
I was asked, yet another weird question, of how I would like to be buried, when I finally bite the big one. The answer was actually pretty easy. Face-down, like a certain historical figure in the late 1980's, (I will not mention who, but some of you will get it, and that's enough.) Why??? It would be a burial that will satisfy everyone: (1) My enemies will say that it will show me where to go. (2) On the same point, I can have my enemies kiss my butt. (3) It will temporarily give someone a place to park a bicycle. See??? A WIN / WIN for everyone.

Offline Davep

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2018, 2256 UTC »
That's a 5Y3 G  8), 5U4's are commonly found in TVs .
Chris , you'll need to swap out every paper capacitor with modern caps before you apply any power . Slide shrink wrap sleeves over the wires with crumbling insulation.
It's a fairly simple operation , but there are numerous things that are critical you'll need to know as you go.  I don't know your skill level but it's easy to mess up
If you need help or advice , don't hesitate I have done more than 50 . Feel free to e mail.  Davepear56@ gmail

« Last Edit: December 24, 2018, 2303 UTC by Davep »
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Offline ChrisSmolinski

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #9 on: December 25, 2018, 0011 UTC »
Thanks for the tips, Dave. My plan is to completely change out the AC power cord of course, since there is virtually no insulation left. I have not had a chance to inspect the radio itself yet, but I just got it removed from the cabinet, along with the turntable.

Regarding the cabinet, the fabric in front of the speaker is completely destroyed as you can tell from the photo (but the speaker itself looks OK from a quick check). I am not sure how to go about replacing it. It looks like it is sandwiched between the front of the cabinet and a piece of wood behind it. I was going to remove that wood, but I cannot get to some of the screws, and even if I could loosen them all, I am not sure there is clearance to remove it. Or am I missing an easier way to do this?
Chris Smolinski
Westminster, MD
eQSLs appreciated! csmolinski@blackcatsystems.com
netSDR / AFE822x / AirSpy HF+ / KiwiSDR / 900 ft Horz skyloop / 500 ft NE beverage / 250 ft V Beam / 58 ft T2FD / 120 ft T2FD / 400 ft south beverage / 43m, 20m, 10m  dipoles / Crossed Parallel Loop / Discone in a tree

Offline Davep

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #10 on: December 25, 2018, 0600 UTC »
https://www.tubesandmore.com/sites/default/files/schematics/crosley_corp_j30bc_pg12-1.png

First thing is replace the 10 mfd / 15 mfd/ 15mfd electrolytics shown between the 5y3 and the speaker connections on the schematic.
These will be rated at 450volts .  After that all the ones such as .1mfd , .02 etc that are paper and those need to come out and be replaced with modern same or near the capacity marked on the old ones. Complete each one before moving on ( Important!).    At that point after making sure nothing is touching each other or shorted from handling, you can usually apply AC , stand back, the majority of old radios will work with this minimum. Once you get it working and picking up a station , other issues like intermittents or poor contacts can be worked out.  There may be out of spec resistors in a Radio that old here and there but not so bad as to keep it from working and can be dealt with later.  When replacing the caps cut the leads near the body and twist / solder to the old. This isn't the prettiest way , but i recommend don't disturb the larger joints with multiple connections .  No "cold" solders , heat the work first . Observe polarity on the electrolytics , the arrow points to negative rail. If you put these in backwards you'll get a nasty surprise. Don't lose focus , do this when there's no chance you'll be interrupted  . Overhandling (sp?) can be A problem , you'll see what I mean. Go slow. Be careful when there's power , the trans is probably 250v and definitely noticeable.
A pair of medical forcepts will be your best friend.
 Don't try to run it with any of the 80 year old caps, if they short ( and they will, not debatable) it could ruin things like expensive transformers and whatnot .
The speaker should be fine unless it's obviously damaged or punched out. You need to use the original due to its field coil rather than a permanent magnet
This is basically the non technical approach, there's a phone book worth of retro science in these things but it's not really necessary to know , you're just replacing components.

http://www.tuberadios.com/capacitors/

I usually get the Radio working first before I do any cosmetics. For the AC cord replacement I just buy an extension cord and cut off the end , or if you want to use that antique plug , it probably just uses screws to attach.  The grill cloths are available , maybe not an exact match but no one will know .  It's probably glued and sandwiched like you said, to keep it tight.  You'll have to figure out how to get it off . The one thing i always say to myself about these things is- if it went in , it will come out.
http://www.radiodaze.com/grille-cloth/
« Last Edit: December 25, 2018, 1650 UTC by Davep »
Va Beach Virginia
Modified Dx 394 audio Altec Lansing ACS43
Folded dipole

Offline Andrew Yoder

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #11 on: December 25, 2018, 1256 UTC »
All very good advice. I use 3M Super 77 spray adhesive to attach the grille cloth to the wood backing. I mist it a little with water to loosen it up and then gently stretch it as much as possible to prevent it from gapping later. Hope the project goes well!
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Offline pinto vortando

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #12 on: December 25, 2018, 1647 UTC »
Chris,

Some guys use a 0-125 volt Variac to gradually apply power while monitoring the line current.
If the current starts to go off the chart then power is removed before something gets fried.
In any case, at least change out the electrolytic caps and replace the shabby line cord before
powering it up. 
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Offline Davep

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #13 on: December 25, 2018, 1708 UTC »
Yes, that's the best way !  However ,The smoke/ funky old burning rubber smell that doesnt go away for days is much more exciting!  I would isolate sensitive computer stuff during these tests just as a precaution.

Seriously though-  he's right . can't stress safety enough, you'll probably violate good sense at several points though.  8)
« Last Edit: December 25, 2018, 1712 UTC by Davep »
Va Beach Virginia
Modified Dx 394 audio Altec Lansing ACS43
Folded dipole

Offline Josh

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Re: Antique Radio Restoration Project
« Reply #14 on: December 25, 2018, 1738 UTC »
Yes, these old timers were designed for 110 to 115ac, not the 125 found in a lot of places today. Then again, I figure most of the resistors go high when they move around in these relics, so a bit more tension in the wire may be what they need. I run a variac set to 115 for the R388 and R390A to keep them happy and pampered.
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