I found an Airline 62-177 radio in Oregon and grabbed it knowing it needs a ton of work. The cabinet will keep me busy for weeks, but the crazy radio works pretty well. A mystery that I need to clear up before taking action! There is a 60 Watt bulb in series with the ac line and it seems to me that it could be more than just a light to see the dial. Is there any practical reason why this could be there?

Bruce

Welll.......there is no pilot or dial lamp shown on the schematic

http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByModel/325/M0011325.pdf

Likewise no bulb like the one you mention.

Sounds like some yesteryear repairguy installed a dim-bulb current draw monitor and forgot to remove it.

How is this bulb mounted ? Is it just "laying there" with what looks like temporary wiring.....or is there a bracket of some sort ? How large physically is the bulb "

I've never heard of or seen anything like this before.

I have heard of using a light bulb as a substitute for a bad resistance line cord - but this radio doesn't use one. Perhaps it was an attempt at a night light - or, since this set doesn't seem to have one, a dial light? Does the bulb burn dimly or brightly? You could try by-passing the bulb and bring the set slowly up to full power with a variac - if that works, eliminate the bulb.

I can only think of one thing, and it sounds pretty goofy to me, but what if someone tried to modify the radio to work on 240 Volts, for God only knows what reason?

This is a transformer operated radio. I would vote for the last posting. A 60 watt lamp would be just about right for operation on 240 volts.

http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByModel/325/M0011325.pdf

Norm

:I can only think of one thing, and it sounds pretty goofy to me, but what if someone tried to modify the radio to work on 240 Volts, for God only knows what reason?

Ok, thanks for setting the comfort zone. Before I removed the standard (permanently mounted) 60 watt bulb,it had low volume; but after removing the bulb I have a set that works very well without spending ten cents on the innards. The cabinet is another story, but I know how the story ends. Thanks everyone.

:This is a transformer operated radio. I would vote for the last posting. A 60 watt lamp would be just about right for operation on 240 volts.
:
:http://www.nostalgiaair.org/PagesByModel/325/M0011325.pdf
:
:Norm
:
::I can only think of one thing, and it sounds pretty goofy to me, but what if someone tried to modify the radio to work on 240 Volts, for God only knows what reason?

I saw an Airline radio on eBay just like that--with a lightbulb mounted inside. Is that the one????

T

I don't know Thomas, I can tell you I bought it in Oregon at an antique store for a cheap price, but that's about all I have on it.

:I saw an Airline radio on eBay just like that--with a lightbulb mounted inside. Is that the one????
:
:T