I bought this 541 from a collector's estate sale. It's the type 1 chassis with large tubes. It was cosmetically restored - look great and the description said "tunes and plays great." Well not so much... The first 3 problems I've found are:
A loose/slipping dial cord - presumably an easy fix? The dial cord looks scary old - I fear breaking it if I try to adjust it.
Next is a noisy/scratchy volume pot. Any suggestions for how to treat this? I don't want to apply something that might ruin the pot in the process. (DeOxit standing by...) If the only option is to replace the pot I could still just return the radio.
A bit concerned about it's status when turned on. The pilot lamp comes on bright and then dims wayyyyy down before slowly recovering brightness as everything warms up. It seems to be working ok after that. Normal?
Volume output is very strong with no apparent distortion. If anything, it seems to be lacking on the bass end, but I don't know what I should expect from it in that regard. It seems to be picking up what I would expect for stations in our area.
The only other thing I've noted is an occasional loud pop or click I'm getting. I don't know if that's some kind of interference it's picking up or "something else."
I have to assume that this radio has had none or very limited work ever done on it, just based on the condition of the volume pot and the dial cord problem. It appears to have the original AC cord as well. (And I paid a premium price for it.) Any suggestions? If it's working as it is, should it still be recapped immediately?
Neophyte restorer here. This will be my first project.
Thanks for any input.
Rick
You can get replacement dial cord here:
http://www.radioantiques.com/supplies.html
and there is a link to different dial cord configs on this site here:
http://www.theoldradiofixerupperguy.com/dial%20cord.html
The dimming bulb sounds like the tubes pulling current as the radio is warming up. If the voltages and the current draw are normal, I wouldn't worry about the dimming bulb.
As far as the popping sound. That could be coming from many types of switching circuits that let off electromagnetic interference. I always get pops when my furnace turns on because of the thermostat switch. If they're excessively large they might warrant further investigation.
Steve
:Hi all
:
:I bought this 541 from a collector's estate sale. It's the type 1 chassis with large tubes. It was cosmetically restored - look great and the description said "tunes and plays great." Well not so much... The first 3 problems I've found are:
:
:A loose/slipping dial cord - presumably an easy fix? The dial cord looks scary old - I fear breaking it if I try to adjust it.
:
:Next is a noisy/scratchy volume pot. Any suggestions for how to treat this? I don't want to apply something that might ruin the pot in the process. (DeOxit standing by...) If the only option is to replace the pot I could still just return the radio.
:
:A bit concerned about it's status when turned on. The pilot lamp comes on bright and then dims wayyyyy down before slowly recovering brightness as everything warms up. It seems to be working ok after that. Normal?
:
:Volume output is very strong with no apparent distortion. If anything, it seems to be lacking on the bass end, but I don't know what I should expect from it in that regard. It seems to be picking up what I would expect for stations in our area.
:
:The only other thing I've noted is an occasional loud pop or click I'm getting. I don't know if that's some kind of interference it's picking up or "something else."
:
:I have to assume that this radio has had none or very limited work ever done on it, just based on the condition of the volume pot and the dial cord problem. It appears to have the original AC cord as well. (And I paid a premium price for it.) Any suggestions? If it's working as it is, should it still be recapped immediately?
:
:Neophyte restorer here. This will be my first project.
:
:Thanks for any input.
:
:Rick
:
:
:Hi all
:
:I bought this 541 from a collector's estate sale. It's the type 1 chassis with large tubes. It was cosmetically restored - look great and the description said "tunes and plays great." Well not so much... The first 3 problems I've found are:
:
:A loose/slipping dial cord - presumably an easy fix? The dial cord looks scary old - I fear breaking it if I try to adjust it.
:
:Next is a noisy/scratchy volume pot. Any suggestions for how to treat this? I don't want to apply something that might ruin the pot in the process. (DeOxit standing by...) If the only option is to replace the pot I could still just return the radio.
:
:A bit concerned about it's status when turned on. The pilot lamp comes on bright and then dims wayyyyy down before slowly recovering brightness as everything warms up. It seems to be working ok after that. Normal?
:
:Volume output is very strong with no apparent distortion. If anything, it seems to be lacking on the bass end, but I don't know what I should expect from it in that regard. It seems to be picking up what I would expect for stations in our area.
:
:The only other thing I've noted is an occasional loud pop or click I'm getting. I don't know if that's some kind of interference it's picking up or "something else."
:
:I have to assume that this radio has had none or very limited work ever done on it, just based on the condition of the volume pot and the dial cord problem. It appears to have the original AC cord as well. (And I paid a premium price for it.) Any suggestions? If it's working as it is, should it still be recapped immediately?
:
:Neophyte restorer here. This will be my first project.
:
:Thanks for any input.
:
:Rick
:
:
You can clean the volume control with De-oxit or use alcohol. The dial lamp action is normal for a series heater string. If this radio has not been re-caped it should be now. The popping and lack of bass could be defective capacitors leaking. Overall it sounds like you have a good radio, it just needs your TLC ..