Greetings everyone,
I found this old radio (Philco 54), a real bomb, as fate would have it it is time to take the next step. I do not have slots in my tube tester to test the tubes in that radio. Soooooooo, can anyone direct me to some literature of tube testing with a multimeter or help in any way. I can test easily to check the filaments and that's it. So, filament efficiency and gassy tubes are the issue.
Thank you,
Vinny A.

Vinny

You can check filaments between two large pins on each tube. After you are ready measure tube pin voltages. This will give an idea how well tubes are operating. In most cases tubes will be usable.

Norm

:Greetings everyone,
:I found this old radio (Philco 54), a real bomb, as fate would have it it is time to take the next step. I do not have slots in my tube tester to test the tubes in that radio. Soooooooo, can anyone direct me to some literature of tube testing with a multimeter or help in any way. I can test easily to check the filaments and that's it. So, filament efficiency and gassy tubes are the issue.
:Thank you,
:Vinny A.

Can't add too much to Norm's suggestions.

Gassy tubes are not likely to be an issue. By "filament efficiency," you are likely referring to cathode emission? That will seldom keep a set from working.

This is an AC/DC set. You can bring it up, preferably on a variac if you have one, and see if the tubes light up. If so, you can figure the tubes are OK. If the set doesn't work even though the tubes light up, then I would troubleshoot in a systematic manner before wholesale replacement of caps or other components.

If the tubes don't light up, then likely one of them has a open filament.
Doug

::I found this old radio (Philco 54), a real bomb, as fate would have it it is time to take the next step. I do not have slots in my tube tester to test the tubes in that radio. Soooooooo, can anyone direct me to some literature of tube testing with a multimeter or help in any way. I can test easily to check the filaments and that's it. So, filament efficiency and gassy tubes are the issue.
::Thank you,
::Vinny A.

Doug, thank you for responding. Sorry for the lack of terminology. Yes, I meant emission, makes sense, the emission of electrons as in my CT tubes.
This my first attempt at a tough radio and I know when finished I will be more educated. I thought that there was a voltage check at startup and after some time that the radio was on to check if there was a gas issue.
I took the chance, I have no variac and decided to power it up, like a child with a new "toy". The tubes lit up but just a low hum, so I temporarily set in a few obvious electrolytics and on came the sound but it was not loud even a full volume but the voices were relatively clear. I have the schematic and I will try and read it and take it step by step. With my schedule it may take some time, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
One last question: Is there a preferred guage wire for a long wire antenna, this one is shot at best, looks to be about 18-20 gauge and very long. However, the braided power cord is in great condition, go figure it.
Thanks a lot,
Vinny A.

:Can't add too much to Norm's suggestions.
:
:Gassy tubes are not likely to be an issue. By "filament efficiency," you are likely referring to cathode emission? That will seldom keep a set from working.
:
:This is an AC/DC set. You can bring it up, preferably on a variac if you have one, and see if the tubes light up. If so, you can figure the tubes are OK. If the set doesn't work even though the tubes light up, then I would troubleshoot in a systematic manner before wholesale replacement of caps or other components.
:
:If the tubes don't light up, then likely one of them has a open filament.
:Doug
:
:::I found this old radio (Philco 54), a real bomb, as fate would have it it is time to take the next step. I do not have slots in my tube tester to test the tubes in that radio. Soooooooo, can anyone direct me to some literature of tube testing with a multimeter or help in any way. I can test easily to check the filaments and that's it. So, filament efficiency and gassy tubes are the issue.
:::Thank you,
:::Vinny A.

Norm, thank you for responding. please forgive my ignorance with terminology.
I believe "large pins" are a reference to the heater?
If so they check out well.

Vinny A.

:Vinny
:
: You can check filaments between two large pins on each tube. After you are ready measure tube pin voltages. This will give an idea how well tubes are operating. In most cases tubes will be usable.
:
:Norm
:
::Greetings everyone,
::I found this old radio (Philco 54), a real bomb, as fate would have it it is time to take the next step. I do not have slots in my tube tester to test the tubes in that radio. Soooooooo, can anyone direct me to some literature of tube testing with a multimeter or help in any way. I can test easily to check the filaments and that's it. So, filament efficiency and gassy tubes are the issue.
::Thank you,
::Vinny A.