I have a Packard Bell model 46D with a volume control problem. Volume plays about 50% when the volume control is turned completely counterclockwise when I turn the volume clockwise the speaker will get louder. My problem is I can’t figure out why I can’t turn the volume down to a point where there is no sound.
All capacitors and resistors have been replaced.
I have checked the circuit for mistakes or cold solder joints however so far I found nothing.
Also checked the volume control pot and it measured 500K, wiper goes from 80 ohms to 500K.
Unplugged the grid of the 75 detector / 1st audio and found that even though the volume decreased it was still clear and can be heard maybe about 25% volume.
Replace the 75 tube same results.
6U5tuning eye seems to respond to strong station signals.
Radio does pick up several stations on just a couple of feet of antenna wire.
Any thoughts or help would be appreciated
Larry

Larry,
One possibility is that the vol control, if orig. was audio taper, was replaced with a linear taper.

marv

:I have a Packard Bell model 46D with a volume control problem. Volume plays about 50% when the volume control is turned completely counterclockwise when I turn the volume clockwise the speaker will get louder. My problem is I can’t figure out why I can’t turn the volume down to a point where there is no sound.
:All capacitors and resistors have been replaced.
:I have checked the circuit for mistakes or cold solder joints however so far I found nothing.
:Also checked the volume control pot and it measured 500K, wiper goes from 80 ohms to 500K.
:Unplugged the grid of the 75 detector / 1st audio and found that even though the volume decreased it was still clear and can be heard maybe about 25% volume.
:Replace the 75 tube same results.
:6U5tuning eye seems to respond to strong station signals.
:Radio does pick up several stations on just a couple of feet of antenna wire.
:Any thoughts or help would be appreciated
:Larry
:

Hi Marv
I will give that a try. There is a second 46D chassis with a potentiometer hopefully its an audio taper. Also when I get back I will search & read on the difference between the two.

Larry

:Larry,
:One possibility is that the vol control, if orig. was audio taper, was replaced with a linear taper.
:
:marv
:
::I have a Packard Bell model 46D with a volume control problem. Volume plays about 50% when the volume control is turned completely counterclockwise when I turn the volume clockwise the speaker will get louder. My problem is I can’t figure out why I can’t turn the volume down to a point where there is no sound.
::All capacitors and resistors have been replaced.
::I have checked the circuit for mistakes or cold solder joints however so far I found nothing.
::Also checked the volume control pot and it measured 500K, wiper goes from 80 ohms to 500K.
::Unplugged the grid of the 75 detector / 1st audio and found that even though the volume decreased it was still clear and can be heard maybe about 25% volume.
::Replace the 75 tube same results.
::6U5tuning eye seems to respond to strong station signals.
::Radio does pick up several stations on just a couple of feet of antenna wire.
::Any thoughts or help would be appreciated
::Larry
::

:Hi Marv
:I will give that a try. There is a second 46D chassis with a potentiometer hopefully its an audio taper. Also when I get back I will search & read on the difference between the two.
:
:Larry
:
::Larry,
::One possibility is that the vol control, if orig. was audio taper, was replaced with a linear taper.
::
::marv
::
:::I have a Packard Bell model 46D with a volume control problem. Volume plays about 50% when the volume control is turned completely counterclockwise when I turn the volume clockwise the speaker will get louder. My problem is I can’t figure out why I can’t turn the volume down to a point where there is no sound.
:::All capacitors and resistors have been replaced.
:::I have checked the circuit for mistakes or cold solder joints however so far I found nothing.
:::Also checked the volume control pot and it measured 500K, wiper goes from 80 ohms to 500K.
:::Unplugged the grid of the 75 detector / 1st audio and found that even though the volume decreased it was still clear and can be heard maybe about 25% volume.
:::Replace the 75 tube same results.
:::6U5tuning eye seems to respond to strong station signals.
:::Radio does pick up several stations on just a couple of feet of antenna wire.
:::Any thoughts or help would be appreciated
:::Larry
:::

You did say that all resistors and capacitors have been replaced. Could it be an error was made in the value of a replacement part ? I looked at the 46D print download from here, and it's not all that clear.
If you do have a 46D parts chassis, take a careful look at the resistor and capacitor values around the volume control circuit. Also check how the parts chassis is wired around that area, as to yours.

::Hi Marv
::I will give that a try. There is a second 46D chassis with a potentiometer hopefully its an audio taper. Also when I get back I will search & read on the difference between the two.
::
::Larry
::
:::Larry,
:::One possibility is that the vol control, if orig. was audio taper, was replaced with a linear taper.
:::
:::marv
:::
::::I have a Packard Bell model 46D with a volume control problem. Volume plays about 50% when the volume control is turned completely counterclockwise when I turn the volume clockwise the speaker will get louder. My problem is I can’t figure out why I can’t turn the volume down to a point where there is no sound.
::::All capacitors and resistors have been replaced.
::::I have checked the circuit for mistakes or cold solder joints however so far I found nothing.
::::Also checked the volume control pot and it measured 500K, wiper goes from 80 ohms to 500K.
::::Unplugged the grid of the 75 detector / 1st audio and found that even though the volume decreased it was still clear and can be heard maybe about 25% volume.
::::Replace the 75 tube same results.
::::6U5tuning eye seems to respond to strong station signals.
::::Radio does pick up several stations on just a couple of feet of antenna wire.
::::Any thoughts or help would be appreciated
::::Larry
::::
:
:You did say that all resistors and capacitors have been replaced. Could it be an error was made in the value of a replacement part ? I looked at the 46D print download from here, and it's not all that clear.
:If you do have a 46D parts chassis, take a careful look at the resistor and capacitor values around the volume control circuit. Also check how the parts chassis is wired around that area, as to yours.

It isn't that clear. It looks like the potentiometer has an extra tap. I've seen this in another set so it wouldn't surprise me if it does have one. If the connections were swapped you might get the response you are having.

Many thanks to Marv, Warren and John Y

The volume control is now working it seems the issue was a forgotten wire during chassis rewiring. What I found was a wire missing on the AVC buss. On the schematic it was between the .1 capacitor going to chassis ground lower left of the drawing and the secondary of the first I.F. transformer everything else was connected.

I did read up on the difference between audio and linear taper pots though not an expert I have a good idea.

I guess what I learned two things, 1st treat your work as if someone else did the job and your checking their work and not to be gun shy on posting when there’s trouble the replies gave me a boost to want to push further.

Again many thanks and a good New Year
Larry