My elderly neighbor just gave me his old Philco 40-180 in exchange for helping him powerwash his house. Its in fairly good condition for its age with only a few markings on the cabinet and it could use some new push buttons. It powers on and hums but I can't seem to tune in anything. I'd love to get it in working order and give it to my grand parents for Christmas but I pretty much have no idea where to start. Can any of you recommend a good source for troubleshooting this radio or perhaps some advice on some components I should check for problems? Thanks!

Start by testing all the vacuum tubes. find someone near you who is willing to do this.Also, don't leave it plugged in for very long. Sometimes the electrolytics short after a period of time. You should have the electrolytics replaced.

:My elderly neighbor just gave me his old Philco 40-180 in exchange for helping him powerwash his house. Its in fairly good condition for its age with only a few markings on the cabinet and it could use some new push buttons. It powers on and hums but I can't seem to tune in anything. I'd love to get it in working order and give it to my grand parents for Christmas but I pretty much have no idea where to start. Can any of you recommend a good source for troubleshooting this radio or perhaps some advice on some components I should check for problems? Thanks!

Well I fiddled around with it a bit more and I've found I can get it to pick up a station of if I put a hand on the muffler shaped item in the back (antenna I am assuming). Sorry for the ignorance but I'm not sure what a vacuum tube is or where they are located on the radio. Could you dumb it down a bit for me?

:Start by testing all the vacuum tubes. find someone near you who is willing to do this.Also, don't leave it plugged in for very long. Sometimes the electrolytics short after a period of time. You should have the electrolytics replaced.
:
::My elderly neighbor just gave me his old Philco 40-180 in exchange for helping him powerwash his house. Its in fairly good condition for its age with only a few markings on the cabinet and it could use some new push buttons. It powers on and hums but I can't seem to tune in anything. I'd love to get it in working order and give it to my grand parents for Christmas but I pretty much have no idea where to start. Can any of you recommend a good source for troubleshooting this radio or perhaps some advice on some components I should check for problems? Thanks!

You dated yourself by not knowing what a vacuum tube is...LOL!

The rubber insulation on the wiring may be flaking off and will need replacing. Replace all caps except the silver micas. Repro pushbuttons are available. The muffler is a large loop antenna. Good luck.

Richard

:You dated yourself by not knowing what a vacuum tube is...LOL!
:
:The rubber insulation on the wiring may be flaking off and will need replacing. Replace all caps except the silver micas. Repro pushbuttons are available. The muffler is a large loop antenna. Good luck.
:
:Richard
Hi Aron
Dito's too Rich, thats exactly where the problem more than likely is, with the elctrolytic capacitors, along with testing the tubes, that is the best place too start, you can however replace the Mica Capacitors, only if it is deemed needed, rarely do they need to be replaced, but be absolutly sure, and replace them carefully, one by one, not to get the values in the wrong place, goodluck with your project:)
Mark

::You dated yourself by not knowing what a vacuum tube is...LOL!
::
::The rubber insulation on the wiring may be flaking off and will need replacing. Replace all caps except the silver micas. Repro pushbuttons are available. The muffler is a large loop antenna. Good luck.
::
::Richard
:Hi Aron
: Dito's too Rich, thats exactly where the problem more than likely is, with the elctrolytic capacitors, along with testing the tubes, that is the best place too start, you can however replace the Mica Capacitors, only if it is deemed needed, rarely do they need to be replaced, but be absolutly sure, and replace them carefully, one by one, not to get the values in the wrong place, goodluck with your project:)
:Mark
Hi Again Aron
One other thing to keep in mind, that I forgot to mention, is resistors, over time and with age they go out of tolerance and should be checked and replaced as needed, in addition too the above.
Mark

Indeed! On the news today they played "bing Crosby's"
"white chistmas". The commentator, came on after the break saying that the station was just flooded with calls asking who the artist was! He was "before my time" as well, but I'm still old enough...

Just think, there are folks out there who don't know what a "45" is!

:You dated yourself by not knowing what a vacuum tube is...LOL!
:
:The rubber insulation on the wiring may be flaking off and will need replacing. Replace all caps except the silver micas. Repro pushbuttons are available. The muffler is a large loop antenna. Good luck.
:
:Richard

Aaron:
It seems that if you don't even know what a vacuum tube is that you might not be technically proficient to do any of the other things such as replace capacitors etc..

Most ikely since you sort-of already get a bit of a weak signal... then the radio is already probably quite easily reparable to make it a useable daily device.

Perhaps you can find someone in your area that is knowledgable in radio repair you will help you or will do it for a reasonable fee.

Here is your schematic:

http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByModel/336/M0013336.pdf

:My elderly neighbor just gave me his old Philco 40-180 in exchange for helping him powerwash his house. Its in fairly good condition for its age with only a few markings on the cabinet and it could use some new push buttons. It powers on and hums but I can't seem to tune in anything. I'd love to get it in working order and give it to my grand parents for Christmas but I pretty much have no idea where to start. Can any of you recommend a good source for troubleshooting this radio or perhaps some advice on some components I should check for problems? Thanks!