Philco 15DX restoration project

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Thanks for all the tips

After three days of rust stripper, the speakers are finally rust free

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Next up, de-rusting the output transformer.

[Geist]

Hi All;
Bob, before long you are going to have this radio performing and looking better than when it came off of the factory floor.. You do Great work !!!!!!
THANK YOU marty

[W4rtc]

HI Bob
I think I have a globe 80 and a globe 45, I will look to see if I still have them if you still need them
Joe

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Hi. Thanks for the offer. This set uses 42s rather than 45s though. I think they had just come out before this set was introduced. The type 15 chassis was pretty cutting edge in 1932 in that it used all 6.3 VAC filaments wired in parallel.

I've picked up a good 80 and a few 42 Philco globes, but could use a good 39/44 and 37 globe as I've found mine are weak.

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I took a little time off from TVs to finish off this radio. Since the last installment I managed to scored a very nice set of original Philco 15 speakers off ebay. Unfortunately, one side of the primary is open



I decided to pursue two possibly replacements. One - a modern universal Hammond transformer. Two - transfer the good windings from the original output transformer that was so rusty it fell apart onto a good core salvaged from the new speakers.

First up the 125d Hammond which sounds just great Only downside is that it doesn't have spare lugs for the field coil connections.

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Now for plan 'B'






The operation appears to be a success but will it work ?


Yes, yes it does I figure I'll stick with this one and save the Hammond for a backup or other projects.

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You may have noticed in the earlier photos, I also rebuilt some nifty copper caps.


I used three 2.2uF @ 630 volt poly caps in parallel to replace the original wet mershon type 6.0 uF caps. They fit nicely inside and should last forever.


After one last polish, I spray the cans with lacquer to prevent tarnishing.

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Finally I broke out my complete set of period correct Philco branded globe tubes for a listen. It sounds great but definitely has some microphonics