19 set caveats

[David Dunlop]

Hello Derek.

I suggest you perform a close visual inspection of all the wiring and soldered connections before applying any power to the set. Particularly, if the bottom cover plate is missing from the set itself. There should also be a small metal cover over the top of the B-Set chassis. If any of the original military wiring has been changed, it will stick out like a sore thumb as most civilians who tinker with 19-Sets rarely bother to match the original loom on the wiring. Also, over time, the soldered connections take on a recognizable aged patina and the original factory workers did some very neat work. Recent work on the solder will typically be very shiny and sloppy. Also look for any signs wire cutters have been at work "collecting spares for a project".

Repairs and mods done by the military were usually well documented for each set and power supply unit. A small metal card holder would be fastened to the inside of the chassis and a card inserted in it that identified what changes were made and when performed. Sometimes the card goes missing after 60 odd years and all one finds is the empty metal holder, but that at least tells you the military did some appropriate work on the unit at some point in it's service life.

Only other suggestion I have would be to give the entire chassis a good dusting. A cheap set of ladies makeup brushes work very well for this kind of thing. It does not take that much dust to have excess heat build up in old electronic components and if humidity levels get high in your part of the world, enough dust buildup can result in some of the higher voltages in the set arcing to ground and frying the circuit. A lot of CRT televisions have died that way over the years.

Other than that, enjoy the project!

Best regards,

David

[sapper740]

Thank you all for the response to my question. My initial visual inspection shows this set appears to not have been tampered with. There are no notes inside the set detailing any servicing and the leads and loom appear to have the original varnish cambric. I'll do as you suggested and clean the set, test the capacitors, grease the dynamotor and see if it fires up. I seem to remember a quote about proper radios having a hiss, crackle and faint smell of ozone...hopefully mine doesn't emit a snap, boom and a strong odour of burnt insulation when I first power it up. Texas is known for it's high humidity in the summer, which lasts about 9 months of the year so I think this radio will have to be stored inside the house as my garage has no A/C. My wife is going to love this! Derek.

[JTH]

All old radios are run by smoke! Don't believe it? Just let the smoke out and see if it still works!


Jeff

[sapper740]

Well, I've fired up the rotary transformer after bypassing the "On" switch which remains open (one more thing I have to acquire) with no drama. The no-load output when running off a brand new 12 volt auto battery is 550 VDC which I assume is within parameters. I've joined the 19set forum and have received some invaluable information regarding running a modified MkII set with a single rotary transfomer and will be making a couple of modifications. I'm continuing to look for the "peripherals" and will keep all y'all informed of my progress. Thanks to Bruce MacMillan for offering to mail me the additional high tension brush I need. Derek.

[JTH]

Derek

When you get a list of wants, let me know, I have a pile of 19 set equipment and complete radio's. I need to let you know up front that I paid a fair amount for the sets and equipment and more to pick it up and bring it home (one way airfare and a 2 1/2 day drive with a full 2 ton rental van), so I am looking for fair value for the parts. I will not rip anyone off, but by the time I get rid of my surplus stuff I need to have offset my costs. However to me fair value also means good trades and I am looking for Universal carrier parts (armour mostly).

In any event let me know and perhaps we can work something out.

Jeff

[sapper740]

Thanks for the offer Jeff, it's one I might have to take you up on. I'll be tinkering with the 19 set off and on, it's not a priority so it'll be a long term project. Restoring a CMP, a 19 set, WWII reenacting, militaria collecting, mortgage and truck payment all on an Electrician's wages forces me to seek out the best deal on anything I buy so please don't be insulted by any offer I make on anything you have, it's not me talking, it's my bank account! Derek.

[JTH]

I hear you. Same reason I mentioned the background. She who must be obeyed said "you better get some money back on all that junk". They simply have no sense of history!!!

J