Wireless Set 19

[Ron Pier]

Thanks for the compliment David. I'm not an expert on the 19 set instalation, which is why I tend to look for pictures to copy. I connected my 'A' set to the front antenna, in middle of front bulkhead, and the 'B' set to it's antenna on the left side front corner. The comanders remote unit is just behind his head. My wireless station was purchased some years ago and a fully working original set up. Ron

[Doghouse]

I love the pics! very nice setup. Does the 19 work?? (I know there are MULTIPLE problems with doing that, just asking....)

[Ron Pier]

Yes Dave It was fully working and transmitting. Although I haven't fired it up for years now! As you say there can be a problem with blowing up capacitors or something? Apparently if they are not used regularly they need to be powered up initially on a reduced amperage to get the capacitors back to life gently. Someone here will explain more fully.

Ron

[Ralph Volkert]

The problem with OLD electronic equipment is that the capacitors or condensors as they were called back then were consctucted of strips of paper and foil. Aditional insulating material (dialectric/electrolyte) similar to a sticky varnish was applied to prevent arcing and shorting. It was then rolled up into a tube. Think of those flypaper strips hanging from the ceiling.

Because they were of paper and card board construction they could dry out because of outgassing. A sudden application of full power can cause the voltage to arc through the cracks and pinholes of the dried out electrolyte across the foil plates causing a short cicuit, generating heat and pressure! You will hear a very brief high pitched whistle just before you hear the BANG!

By reforming the the condensors you power up very slowly, increasing the voltage slowly so as to allow the electrolyte to warm up slowly, soften and "heal" the pinholes and cracks. Did you notice the words Slowly! I have known people to take 12-24 hours to do this. There is never any guarantee.

Any componant showing heat damage should not be trusted at all. They were baking themselves already. If you do try to power up these old electronics wear safty glasses and be preppared to kill the power immediately.

Dont forget how old these things really are! A lot of these old componants have drifted in value and so can be so far off spec that they wont tune or function properly.

Dont forget that radium was used to allow the front of the sets to glow in the dark. No sanding of the frant panel should be done. And I would be cautious about letting small children play with the set.

[RichardT10829]

Sorry to resurrect this post folks, I have acquired a WS19 set for my Mk2 carrier now

Ron, what carrier did you use to mount the set to ?

I have had my WS set through an old hand (chap served his time on these sets) he has de commissioned the A and B sets for me by removing the associated valves, however, the intercom still works so it is my intention to use it !

I am gathering bits at the moment to complete what I need for a Mk2 install.

[Ron Pier]

Richard my WS19 carrier is the one known as a No22 which allows for the PSU to be mounted on top of the wireless. The No21 carrier is for wireless and PSU in line.

I imagine that a metal shelve would have been fixed from the track guard and over the crew seat for the Welsh Guard configuration. But I've simply installed a non fixed wooden shelve so as not to hamper battery access more than it already is..... For that reason I invested in a sealed for life battery (mine is 12volts).

However I've still fitted the correct rubber/metal feet to the WS carrier. Ron

[Flyingtanker]

Saw the complete set on Milweb today;

http://http://www.milweb.net/webvert/a3209/93737