Hello, I am restoring a few 1940's radios and wanted to know what type of resistors to use. Antique electronic supply offers Carbon Film Resistors or Carbon Composition Resistors. Does it matter what type I use. Also there are some wire wound resistors in the zenith radios, what type do you replace them with.
Thanks
David

:Hello, I am restoring a few 1940's radios and wanted to know what type of resistors to use. Antique electronic supply offers Carbon Film Resistors or Carbon Composition Resistors. Does it matter what type I use. Also there are some wire wound resistors in the zenith radios, what type do you replace them with.
:Thanks
:David
Hi David
either one would work fine, I think the carbon film type is a flameproof type, I could be wrong though, as far as the wire wound resistors are concerned, there are two advantages too these, one they have a very tight tolerance as opposed too the others, and two they can be purchased at a high wattage, so I guess what I'm saying is, if you have a situation where you need a tight tolerance high wattage resistor they would be your best bet, hope this helps you out:)
Mark

Wire wound resistors are usually used in high current situations, and should be replaced with the same. Regarding carbon composition resistors (old brown cylindrical ones with color bands...no knobs at the ends), these can be used quite successfully, though they are the most prone to drifting. With old radios, some drifting is acceptable. They aren't likely to drift anytime soon unless subjected to a lot of heat and stress. Carbon film resistors keep their values more reliably. There are advantages to each kind, and these are listed at www.tubesandmore.com or on their catologue.

Wire wound resistors should always be replaced with the same. They are an added expense to the manufacturer, and would not have been used unless the manufacturer felt it necessary.

Thomas

Here's a link selling metal film resistor assortment kits.
They are available in 1/8 watt, 1/4 watt and 1 watt packs.
I reccommend the 1 watt kits for old radios.
Noramly 1/2 watt is what you might see used but these 1 watt resistors are small and will fit right in size-wise
They have two kit size-ranges that should cover all the values you need for ONLY $7.95 per kit!!!(on sale..normally $15.95)
I have these and love 'em
A really GREAT value... Thae even come in nice little drawers with tweezers to grasp the parts from the bins!!

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/products.asp?dept=1128

David,

Be careful of the wire wound resistor in an RF circuit, where the wound wire can add additional inductance to the circuit. For audio, this may not be a problem, but for RF is can be. the best bet is to look at what type is used and replace with the same if there is any question. If the old resistor is a 1/2 watt, you can use a 1 or 2 watt to replace it - the 2 watt would be an over kill and additional cost, but it would run cooler then the others (in other words, its ok to go up in wattage size, but not down).

David S

:Hello, I am restoring a few 1940's radios and wanted to know what type of resistors to use. Antique electronic supply offers Carbon Film Resistors or Carbon Composition Resistors. Does it matter what type I use. Also there are some wire wound resistors in the zenith radios, what type do you replace them with.
:Thanks
:David