Philco 53A s console radio ;^)

[diamondsouled]

Originally Posted by Reece

Model 53 (no A) is around 1930, IIRC, nowhere near this radio. Did they use a different numbering system on Canadian sets?

According to the Philco Radio page:

"By June 1938, the radios produced in Canada began to look very different from USA Philcos. The company also adopted its own model numbering scheme, which results in confusion today among radio collectors, since many later Canadian Philcos used the same model numbers as older USA Philco sets."

http://www.philcoradio.com/world/canada.htm

The 53X in the picture is the same as mine.

Cheers

Lar

[electroking]

Hello again,

Here is the closest I could come up with. I found a model 53 (not 53A) but the
tube complement for this one looks more similar. It is very unlikely that this radio
had anything other than a 80 as the rectifier. Will get back to you later.
Regards.

P.S. It would be useful to have a close-up view of the data plate, and
to determine whether the output stage is actually single-ended or
push-pull.

[dieseljeep]

That radio looks like a 32 volt DC set, with those output tubes. You really need the exact schematic. I don't think Philco made that many 32 volt sets in the U.S. You have to consult Radio College of Canada.

[teevee]

Investigating that chunk of iron bolted to the chassis would narrow it down some... If it has only 2 leads, a choke, it could well be a DC set, If it has a bunch of leads (like 9) you're looking at a power transformer, which would also point out where the rectifier would go..

[diamondsouled]

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

That radio looks like a 32 volt DC set, with those output tubes. You really need the exact schematic. I don't think Philco made that many 32 volt sets in the U.S. You have to consult Radio College of Canada.

Thanks for the tip. Found the Canadian Vintage Radio Society:

http://www.canadianvintageradio.com/index.shtml

Apparently once you join you can access Radio College of Canada schematics from 1927 to 1980.

BTW the radio has an AC cord.

Lar

[dieseljeep]

They did have a regular A.C. power cord and plug. The homes were wired in anticipation to the coming of the high lines. Many of those sets have the plates and screens running off 32 volts D.C. as well. You really need the schematic to see what you have there.

[Reece]

Some had regular-looking AC plugs as dieseljeep noted but were farm sets made to run on 32 volts. Many got fried later when unknowingly plugged into 120V.

[dieseljeep]

I just looked the 48 tubes in the tube manual. They have 30 volt dc filaments. So it's a strong possibility that it is a 32 volt dc receiver. It should be interesting to see what you really have there.

[diamondsouled]

Never knew about the AC plug 32 volt thing. Good to know .

Will had to pull the chassis out and take a look see.

Cheers

Lar

[jjhobson]

I have this same model. It took awhile to find the year and model and I have yet to find even a ball-park value. Do either of you have any idea what they are worth today?

[wa2ise]

Originally Posted by diamondsouled

Never knew about the AC plug 32 volt thing. Good to know .

Hopefully all previous owners didn't do that... The 6V tubes were likely wired in series, along with a dropping resistor off the 32V supply (they all draw the same 300ma heater current). If someone did apply 120V, possibly only one of those tubes would go open. Tube heaters can take over-voltage, as part of the manufacturing process tube heaters are run extra hot to boil off and/or activate the cathode. But not for real long.

Output tubes don't make much audio power off 32V, so running a pair push pull is done to get something listenable.

[madmike17]

Hmmm.. IIRC alocal antique shop has an identical one for $40...