After restoring a Stewart Warner vibrator radio, I notice quite a pungent smell from the wires where they are bundled together, doesn't seem to be running hot as if drawing too much current. any ideas?

Hi Brian,
Could it be ozone from the arcing of the vibrator contacts? Normally you have what is called a buffer capacitor in the vibrator circuit that is critical to help minimize arcing. Usually a 1500V orange drop capacitor is used as a replacement. The correct capacitance is also very important. So follow the schematic.

Richard

The buffer condenser could also be leaky, causing it to give off a very odorous steam. Other condensers may be leaky as well? Perhaps electrolytics? When some condensers steam (from overheating due to leakage), they smell. Paper condensers don't usually steam because they're usually dry inside. I've had some buffer condensers steam, though. Not sure what all of them are. Some are paper and some use other materials. I've had quite a few shoot out a jet of steam out the side of various radios (mostly auto).

As always, any leakage, even if in the millions of ohms, is unacceptable, especially when dealing with the high voltage buffer condenser. When you test a condenser (removed from the radio), if your meter needle swings up at all, it must fall back to EXACTLY where it started. Values smaller than .001 MFD may not swing the needle up at all. All condensers when leaky, however, will swing the needle up, and it'll stay up to one degree or another. Ten million ohms leakage in a buffer condenser is enough to cause it to steam. In an audio condenser, it's enough to cause distortion. Use the finest components (new) for the finest performance and reliability.

Thomas