What are the first things you would do to a 1930's Howard radio that quit working reportedly accompanied by a puff of smoke ? The electrolytics were replaced about three yrs. ago along with other caps (not all, about half of them it appears ). Inspection of the chassis reveals a large puddle of brownish wax on the case right below the transformer. Nothing else appears to be burnt or smoky looking. I am pretty good at soldering and component replacement, but am pretty much a novice when it comes to theory. Can usually get a radio working again as long as problems are not too complex. I could use some help on this. Thanks

Hi John

I would check the transformer for continuity. Since the radio smoked and then quit it may have an open primary winding. With an ohm meter, check the two wires that lead from the AC line cord. One of the two will go through the on-off switch and then the transformer.

If it checks ok, pull the rectifier tube, usually an 80 and try the radio. If the tubes light and the transformer doesn't get hot it may be ok.

Even though changed, an electrolytic cap, rectifier tube or even audio output tube drawing too much current can damage the transformer.

New transformers are available but it will be less costly if one can be taken from another radio.

Norm

: What are the first things you would do to a 1930's Howard radio that quit working reportedly accompanied by a puff of smoke ? The electrolytics were replaced about three yrs. ago along with other caps (not all, about half of them it appears ). Inspection of the chassis reveals a large puddle of brownish wax on the case right below the transformer. Nothing else appears to be burnt or smoky looking. I am pretty good at soldering and component replacement, but am pretty much a novice when it comes to theory. Can usually get a radio working again as long as problems are not too complex. I could use some help on this. Thanks

You know ,it has been said ,That there is smoke inside all those parts in a radio and the smoke inside is what makes them work ... It is only when the smoke comes out -- that the radio quits !
Dan
: Hi John

: I would check the transformer for continuity. Since the radio smoked and then quit it may have an open primary winding. With an ohm meter, check the two wires that lead from the AC line cord. One of the two will go through the on-off switch and then the transformer.

: If it checks ok, pull the rectifier tube, usually an 80 and try the radio. If the tubes light and the transformer doesn't get hot it may be ok.

: Even though changed, an electrolytic cap, rectifier tube or even audio output tube drawing too much current can damage the transformer.

: New transformers are available but it will be less costly if one can be taken from another radio.

: Norm

: : What are the first things you would do to a 1930's Howard radio that quit working reportedly accompanied by a puff of smoke ? The electrolytics were replaced about three yrs. ago along with other caps (not all, about half of them it appears ). Inspection of the chassis reveals a large puddle of brownish wax on the case right below the transformer. Nothing else appears to be burnt or smoky looking. I am pretty good at soldering and component replacement, but am pretty much a novice when it comes to theory. Can usually get a radio working again as long as problems are not too complex. I could use some help on this. Thanks