BSR UA-25 record player, replacing capacitor - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

gazz292 · 23rd May 2015, 11:12 am

My girlfriend has a BSR UA-25 record player, built into a suitcase type case, mains only via a single insulated mains cord (looks like speaker wire).

It worked fine until a move, then it hummed badly so you can hardly hear the music.

It's got a little 2 valve amp in it, which I am led to believe is a rectifier valve and an amplifier valve, plus a condenser/capacitor 3 in 1 type in a metal can, plus a cap for the tone and a few resistors.

I am pretty sure it's the condenser/capacitor at fault, so have taken it out of circuit and am looking to find something to replace it with.
It has the following text on the can:

Hunts capacitors, made in UK.
CAP D.C.
RED: RES 32uF 275v
max ripple 250MA
YELLOW 16uF 275v
GREEN 25uF 25v
Can Negative

N Y1 KD851H

Should I try and find a replacement 3 in 1 capacitor in a can, or should I just put some modern caps in its place, and if so, what type should I use?

The amp is hidden inside the suitcase, so not on show, so I guess 3 x modern caps is the best solution, but also anything else to check out when I solder the new caps in place other than to re-flow the other joints?

I think the number on the can may be N Y1 KD85411 the H at the end looks like 2 I's or 1's with a scratch across them making it look like an H.

Nuvistor · 23rd May 2015, 1:01 pm

I would replace it with modern caps mounted on a tag strip. This will be a live chassis machine, be careful not to damage any safety features.
If the amplifier is a triode pentode, change the grid coupling cap, if it is just a pentode it will not have one.
Frank

Tractorfan · 23rd May 2015, 1:27 pm

Hi,
'BSA UA-25' is the make and model of the turntable deck. The record player itself will have another maker's badge somewhere such as, Dansette, Ferguson, or some such. The amp is a pretty standard type used by a few makers.
Is the hum still there when the volume is turned right down? If not, it's unlikely to be HT smoothing. It might be a screening fault on the wiring between the pick-up and the amp.
If it's constant regardless of the volume control setting, then it could well be the capacitor.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Pete.

gazz292 · 24th May 2015, 1:39 pm

The only name/number I can find is on the deck I'm afraid,
No sign of any other caps apart from the one to the tone pot.

The buzz/hum stayed the same no matter what position the volume pot was in, it changed in tone with the tone pot as I'd kinda expect,

AC/HL · 24th May 2015, 2:52 pm

If it really did start suddenly following a move, the capacitors may not be faulty in themselves, more likely a dry or otherwise disturbed connection.
Re-fitting it may provide a cure.
Some photographs, internal and external may help with identification.

gazz292 · 24th May 2015, 11:30 pm

I re-flowed the joints on the cap can before I took it out, and it still had the terrible hum/buzz.

So I think my best bet is to find 3 suitable modern capacitors and put them in the circuit,

I'll put the original can back on the chassis so the next person to own this record player can gut it and hide the caps inside it if they want.

I would do this myself, but I am staying at my partner's place and trying to fix this here with a small selection of tools I have brought with me,

Attached are 3 photos of the record player, I am totally new to these things (tho at 38, old enough to remember how to use them)

Station X · 25th May 2015, 10:25 am

That player is a Fidelity as evidenced by the logo. Don't ask me the model name though.

It uses the usual UY85 and UL84 amplifier circuit as used in the Dansette Viva.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 26th May 2015, 9:36 am

Personally I replace the reservoir/smoothing Capacitors with dual can types, available from, e.g. Cricklewood Electronics or the BVWS, and fit a small axial or radial electrolytic of, say 22, 33 or 47uf @ 25v under the chassis to replace the third section, which is almost always the Cathode bypass cap. for the o/p valve. The modern dual can types will usually fit in the hole vacated by the original, and accept the same diameter mounting clip.

23rd May 2015, 11:12 am	#1
gazz292 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 3	BSR UA-25 record player, replacing capacitor My girlfriend has a BSR UA-25 record player, built into a suitcase type case, mains only via a single insulated mains cord (looks like speaker wire). It worked fine until a move, then it hummed badly so you can hardly hear the music. It's got a little 2 valve amp in it, which I am led to believe is a rectifier valve and an amplifier valve, plus a condenser/capacitor 3 in 1 type in a metal can, plus a cap for the tone and a few resistors. I am pretty sure it's the condenser/capacitor at fault, so have taken it out of circuit and am looking to find something to replace it with. It has the following text on the can: Hunts capacitors, made in UK. CAP D.C. RED: RES 32uF 275v max ripple 250MA YELLOW 16uF 275v GREEN 25uF 25v Can Negative N Y1 KD851H Should I try and find a replacement 3 in 1 capacitor in a can, or should I just put some modern caps in its place, and if so, what type should I use? The amp is hidden inside the suitcase, so not on show, so I guess 3 x modern caps is the best solution, but also anything else to check out when I solder the new caps in place other than to re-flow the other joints? I think the number on the can may be N Y1 KD85411 the H at the end looks like 2 I's or 1's with a scratch across them making it look like an H. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Mike Phelan; 26th May 2015 at 3:59 pm.

23rd May 2015, 1:01 pm	#2
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: BSR UA-25 record player, replacing capacitor I would replace it with modern caps mounted on a tag strip. This will be a live chassis machine, be careful not to damage any safety features. If the amplifier is a triode pentode, change the grid coupling cap, if it is just a pentode it will not have one. Frank

23rd May 2015, 1:27 pm	#3
Tractorfan Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.) Posts: 3,183	Re: BSR UA-25 record player, replacing capacitor Hi, 'BSA UA-25' is the make and model of the turntable deck. The record player itself will have another maker's badge somewhere such as, Dansette, Ferguson, or some such. The amp is a pretty standard type used by a few makers. Is the hum still there when the volume is turned right down? If not, it's unlikely to be HT smoothing. It might be a screening fault on the wiring between the pick-up and the amp. If it's constant regardless of the volume control setting, then it could well be the capacitor. Hope this helps. Cheers, Pete. __________________ "Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..."

24th May 2015, 1:39 pm	#4
gazz292 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 3	Re: BSR UA-25 record player, replacing capacitor The only name/number I can find is on the deck I'm afraid, No sign of any other caps apart from the one to the tone pot. The buzz/hum stayed the same no matter what position the volume pot was in, it changed in tone with the tone pot as I'd kinda expect,

24th May 2015, 2:52 pm	#5
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: BSR UA-25 record player, replacing capacitor If it really did start suddenly following a move, the capacitors may not be faulty in themselves, more likely a dry or otherwise disturbed connection. Re-fitting it may provide a cure. Some photographs, internal and external may help with identification.

24th May 2015, 11:30 pm	#6
gazz292 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 3	Re: BSR UA-25 record player, replacing capacitor I re-flowed the joints on the cap can before I took it out, and it still had the terrible hum/buzz. So I think my best bet is to find 3 suitable modern capacitors and put them in the circuit, I'll put the original can back on the chassis so the next person to own this record player can gut it and hide the caps inside it if they want. I would do this myself, but I am staying at my partner's place and trying to fix this here with a small selection of tools I have brought with me, Attached are 3 photos of the record player, I am totally new to these things (tho at 38, old enough to remember how to use them) Attached Thumbnails

25th May 2015, 10:25 am	#7
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: BSR UA-25 record player, replacing capacitor That player is a Fidelity as evidenced by the logo. Don't ask me the model name though. It uses the usual UY85 and UL84 amplifier circuit as used in the Dansette Viva. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

26th May 2015, 9:36 am	#8
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: BSR UA-25 record player, replacing capacitor Personally I replace the reservoir/smoothing Capacitors with dual can types, available from, e.g. Cricklewood Electronics or the BVWS, and fit a small axial or radial electrolytic of, say 22, 33 or 47uf @ 25v under the chassis to replace the third section, which is almost always the Cathode bypass cap. for the o/p valve. The modern dual can types will usually fit in the hole vacated by the original, and accept the same diameter mounting clip.