I'd like to power up this unit I inherited (it hasn't been plugged in in 20+ years) and I'd like to do it correctly. I remember witnessing it in operation and am optimistic that it is intact.

I've been reading about the slow power-up using a Variac to re-form the caps but have a question.

I plan to rent a variac but need to know the requirement specs for it.

SX-42
Power consumption - 110 Watts
Frequency - 50/60 Cycles
Line Voltage - 117 Volts
Line Current - 0.93 Amperes

I've cleaned it carfully and set all the tubes asside except the rectifier and I think I'm ready.
JH

Hi John

You can use a very small variac. One rated at 3 amps will be larger than actually needed.

A 100 watt light bulb wired in series with your SX-42 will also allow power to be brought up slowly. Powering up the radio with this method will put about half the line voltage across your unit.. If there is a problem the lamp will act like a fuse and light brightly.

Norm

: I'd like to power up this unit I inherited (it hasn't been plugged in in 20+ years) and I'd like to do it correctly. I remember witnessing it in operation and am optimistic that it is intact.

: I've been reading about the slow power-up using a Variac to re-form the caps but have a question.
:
: I plan to rent a variac but need to know the requirement specs for it.

: SX-42
: Power consumption - 110 Watts
: Frequency - 50/60 Cycles
: Line Voltage - 117 Volts
: Line Current - 0.93 Amperes

: I've cleaned it carfully and set all the tubes asside except the rectifier and I think I'm ready.
: JH

Hi,
If you plan on using it for any serious use, I would just replace the filter caps outright. You will likely need to replace many of the paper caps too, but if your radio powers up fine after checking the things noted below, don't worry, but if one is bad, you may as well replace all that you can. You will get much better performance from it if you do.

The SX-42 had a few notorious faults that you will want to address before you leave it on for any length of time. The list is rather long, but "Phil's Old Radios" has a good rundown of what he went through on his restoration.
http://antiqueradio.org/halli07.htm

My SX-42 was in better shape than Phil's, but everything he listed as a source of a problem, was.

You can get a quick reference sheet on Phil's also, but you will likely want the whole manual. You can download the pages from here:
ftp://bama.sbc.edu/downloads/hallicra/sx42/

If you need to address the dial and gear mechanism, there is also a reference at the Bama site too.

They are a great radio.

: I'd like to power up this unit I inherited (it hasn't been plugged in in 20+ years) and I'd like to do it correctly. I remember witnessing it in operation and am optimistic that it is intact.

: I've been reading about the slow power-up using a Variac to re-form the caps but have a question.
:
: I plan to rent a variac but need to know the requirement specs for it.

: SX-42
: Power consumption - 110 Watts
: Frequency - 50/60 Cycles
: Line Voltage - 117 Volts
: Line Current - 0.93 Amperes

: I've cleaned it carfully and set all the tubes asside except the rectifier and I think I'm ready.
: JH