Wireless Set No. 52 Canadian - Project

[Mike K]

Is this the unit ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wje6Z2eOWng

[David Dunlop]

Affirmative, Mike.

David

[Bruce MacMillan]

The Proster and the Solar measure two different parameters. The Proster is good for measuring ESR (equivalent series resistance) which basically tells you if the electrolyte in the cap has dried up. The Solar can measure leakage at high voltage levels. Using the power factor you can calculate the esr as well. I would be more concerned with leakage as it can sometimes damage components like that nasty cap in the WS19 that takes out T2.

Still both are good tools to have on the bench. When the repair shop I worked at shut down I aquired a Sencore LC102 which does both.

[Chris Suslowicz]

I use a Peak LCR meter for checking values, and the companion ESR unit for series resistance. For electrolytics there's a 1950s-vintage "Reforming Unit, Electrolytic Capacitor, No.1" which will handle up to 350 volts or so, after which it's a matter of "drag the bench supply out" if I need to re-form higher voltage electrolytics (take them up to 350 on the reforming unit, then finish with the bench supply).

For non-electrolytics (waxed paper, paper in oil, mica, etc.) I have an Ionization and Breakdown Tester that will go up to 12kV (or 6kV AC). That's just used for Pass/Fail testing though - you can't fix those types of capacitors.

(The Peak units are semiconductor, so care is needed when using those - making sure there's no charge in the unit under test before connecting up is very important!)

Chris.

[David Dunlop]

The slow, but steady, disassembly of my Spare Parts Receiver 8349 is underway and it is already revealing some interesting bits of information.

David

[David Dunlop]

These two retaining brackets cannot be found in either version of the Master Parts List for the 52-Set Receiver. Odd, because they are clearly designed to be replaceable, if needed.

For lack of a description, I have simply referred to them as ‘Valve Shield Retaining Brackets’, as their intended purpose is to keep the shield assemblies for the two horizontal rows of valves in place.

David

[David Dunlop]

The two vertically mounted valves in the lower left front of the chassis also have their shield assemblies held in place with a retainer. This one, however, can actually be found in the Master Parts List as a PADS, Valve Retaining ZA/CAN 4625 It is a rectangular steel plate with a grey felt pad glued to the bottom of it and a central slot cut half way into the middle of it.

This PADS slides over a threaded shaft and it fastened in place with a wing nut.

With the lower receiver front panel now removed, I was able to take a closer look at the threaded shaft used to fasten the PADS in place. It turns out to be nothing more than a Slotted, Truss Head 10-32 x 1-inch NF Machine Screw threaded all the way into a hole at the apex of its mounting plate, and then soldered in place. So if the one on your 52-Set receiver is damaged in any way, it can be replaced.

David