Hello, how do you fix a bias cell. I read chucks article on the subject, but not sure if my bias cell is worth fixing and dont know what a #60 drill bit is. I noticed that the seal around the disk is not all there.....a certain portion in one spot is missing or broke off. The radio plays, but not as loud as it should go...starts to distort if volume is turned up much. Would playing this radio without a bias cell hurt it?

Hi Sean

You can use a watch or calculator battery as replacement.

Short across the bias cell. Don't leave it open as there won't be a grid return. The radio will work ok but draw slightly more B+ current. Not a problem if you are using a power supply.

Number 60 drill is very small, not much larger than a pin. Some people add water to these cells. Not worth messing with unless you want original parts.

Norm

:Hello, how do you fix a bias cell. I read chucks article on the subject, but not sure if my bias cell is worth fixing and dont know what a #60 drill bit is. I noticed that the seal around the disk is not all there.....a certain portion in one spot is missing or broke off. The radio plays, but not as loud as it should go...starts to distort if volume is turned up much. Would playing this radio without a bias cell hurt it?

Hi,
Just a footnote to Chuck's article, I have restored three cells the same way, and all have worked. If you are patient, they do last for quite a long time.

:Hi Sean
:
: You can use a watch or calculator battery as replacement.
:
: Short across the bias cell. Don't leave it open as there won't be a grid return. The radio will work ok but draw slightly more B+ current. Not a problem if you are using a power supply.
:
: Number 60 drill is very small, not much larger than a pin. Some people add water to these cells. Not worth messing with unless you want original parts.
:
: Norm
:
::Hello, how do you fix a bias cell. I read chucks article on the subject, but not sure if my bias cell is worth fixing and dont know what a #60 drill bit is. I noticed that the seal around the disk is not all there.....a certain portion in one spot is missing or broke off. The radio plays, but not as loud as it should go...starts to distort if volume is turned up much. Would playing this radio without a bias cell hurt it?

I skipped the drilling part of the bias cell! I just dropped it in the sink in hot water and bam, I now have .950 volts. So we will see how long it lasts!
:
:Hi,
:Just a footnote to Chuck's article, I have restored three cells the same way, and all have worked. If you are patient, they do last for quite a long time.
:
:
::Hi Sean
::
:: You can use a watch or calculator battery as replacement.
::
:: Short across the bias cell. Don't leave it open as there won't be a grid return. The radio will work ok but draw slightly more B+ current. Not a problem if you are using a power supply.
::
:: Number 60 drill is very small, not much larger than a pin. Some people add water to these cells. Not worth messing with unless you want original parts.
::
:: Norm
::
:::Hello, how do you fix a bias cell. I read chucks article on the subject, but not sure if my bias cell is worth fixing and dont know what a #60 drill bit is. I noticed that the seal around the disk is not all there.....a certain portion in one spot is missing or broke off. The radio plays, but not as loud as it should go...starts to distort if volume is turned up much. Would playing this radio without a bias cell hurt it?

:Hello, how do you fix a bias cell. I read chucks article on the subject, but not sure if my bias cell is worth fixing and dont know what a #60 drill bit is. I noticed that the seal around the disk is not all there.....a certain portion in one spot is missing or broke off. The radio plays, but not as loud as it should go...starts to distort if volume is turned up much. Would playing this radio without a bias cell hurt it?

I found this web page on the internet, which you may find of interest as well. - Ed.
http://www.philcorepairbench.com/biascell.htm

Hi

A #60 drill is very small.. You can replace the cell with a small calculator or watch battery. The radio should operate ok without a bias cell. Short across the two terminals to give grid #1 a return plate to ground.

Norm

::Hello, how do you fix a bias cell. I read chucks article on the subject, but not sure if my bias cell is worth fixing and dont know what a #60 drill bit is. I noticed that the seal around the disk is not all there.....a certain portion in one spot is missing or broke off. The radio plays, but not as loud as it should go...starts to distort if volume is turned up much. Would playing this radio without a bias cell hurt it?
:
:I found this web page on the internet, which you may find of interest as well. - Ed.
:http://www.philcorepairbench.com/biascell.htm