1935 GE Model A-53 AM/SW Tombstone Radio

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by vortalexfan

Well Unfortunately I think the radio's power transformer got fried because when I tried turning it on the pilot light wouldn't light up (the bulb is still good), and the power transformer was really hot to the touch and the Kill-a-watt meter was reading over 100 watts and the rectifier tube was the only tube that was hot to the touch, the rest of the tubes were stone cold.

So I think this radio unfortunately might be toast.

When testing a radio transformer, always remove the rectifier tube first before applying power, in case the set has a B+ short, electrolytic or other component.
Either the PT is wasted or the short was robbing the 6V heater circuit.
Try it again with the watt-watcher and the 80 tube removed.

[vortalexfan]

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

When testing a radio transformer, always remove the rectifier tube first before applying power, in case the set has a B+ short, electrolytic or other component.
Either the PT is wasted or the short was robbing the 6V heater circuit.
Try it again with the watt-watcher and the 80 tube removed.

It actually has a 5Z4 rectifier tube in it, but either way, I removed that tube from the radio, plugged it in turned it on, and sure enough I heard a well pronounced sizzling noise coming from the transformer, so yes I definitely think the transformer is bad.

I have a power transformer on the Philco 60 that I could check to see if its still good or not, and if it is I might be able to swap that into this radio, because the Philco 60 is a very similar chassis design to this GE (2 band radio, AM and SW, similar tube count as well, and same tube voltages).

The the radio wasn't on that way very long, I turned it off right away as soon as I saw it wasn't working and felt that the transformer was getting hot.

what do you guys think?

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by vortalexfan

It actually has a 5Z4 rectifier tube in it, but either way, I removed that tube from the radio, plugged it in turned it on, and sure enough I heard a well pronounced sizzling noise coming from the transformer, so yes I definitely think the transformer is bad.

I have a power transformer on the Philco 60 that I could check to see if its still good or not, and if it is I might be able to swap that into this radio, because the Philco 60 is a very similar chassis design to this GE (2 band radio, AM and SW, similar tube count as well, and same tube voltages).

The the radio wasn't on that way very long, I turned it off right away as soon as I saw it wasn't working and felt that the transformer was getting hot.

what do you guys think?

I got lost in the dialogue!
What transformer is damaged? The one in the GE A83 or the one in the Philco?

[vortalexfan]

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

I got lost in the dialogue!
What transformer is damaged? The one in the GE A83 or the one in the Philco?

The transformer in the GE is bad, and I want to see if the transformer in the Philco will be a suitable replacement or not.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by vortalexfan

The transformer in the GE is bad, and I want to see if the transformer in the Philco will be a suitable replacement or not.

I checked the schematic and the power transformer looks close!
The B+ might be a little high!
Tag the leads when disconnecting from the original chassis, as the Philco colors might be different.

[vortalexfan]

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

I checked the schematic and the power transformer looks close!
The B+ might be a little high!
Tag the leads when disconnecting from the original chassis, as the Philco colors might be different.

I'm also concerned about the fact that the Philco uses the old style tubes vs. the GE using the Octal style tubes, would that make a difference?

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by vortalexfan

I'm also concerned about the fact that the Philco uses the old style tubes vs. the GE using the Octal style tubes, would that make a difference?

The tubes are identical, except the base. Same heater current and voltage.
Philco didn't switch to octal base tubes until the '37 model year.