Testing a Philips PM5334 Sweep Generator - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

OldTechFan96 · 22nd Oct 2017, 9:09 pm

Hello,

I recently bought this generator as it was available locally for a good price and it will be useful for radio alignment.

It powers on alright. The only trouble is that the switch does not latch.

How would I go about testing this unit? I don't have a working scope but I do have a DMM and an AVO8.

Thanks

WME_bill · 22nd Oct 2017, 10:46 pm

PM5334. A nice piece of equipment.
I take it the the slide switch for on/off not latching. But that the other groups are operating correctly.
There is a little sliding piece within the switch which moves as the button is pressed, and held with a spring. Unless careful cleaning say with meths or Isopropyl alcohol doesn't free it, then I fear it will mean a dismantling job to get the whole switch mechanism out.
I have just had to do that with a fine old AF generator, and it really was a long winded, though not difficult job.
wme_bill

Argus25 · 23rd Oct 2017, 2:23 am

Hi, nice generator I have one.

I would caution with this one that it is highly likely the pcb mounted axial electrolytics in the power supply section will be faulty. All of them failed in my unit at different times over the last 10 years, shorting out, causing damage to some of the transistors. It surprised me to some extent as they appeared to be beautifully made German parts. It might be that yours are OK, but if you have any power supply issues in your unit, these will be the cause.
I posted a photo of a shorted one after I unwound the foils to find out why it did that, there is a photo in this thread:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=131807

These caps may have already been replaced of course.

PS: you will need a scope to get best use of this sort of generator.

Jac · 23rd Oct 2017, 8:33 am

It is absolutely intended to be used with a 'scope!
The idea is that you see the IF (or other) curve on the screen.

Jac

MrBungle · 23rd Oct 2017, 9:24 am

Definitely agree with Argus25's recommendation to replace the capacitors. Those blue Philips ones are trouble. Also watch out for any RIFA (gold box) capacitors around the mains inlet. Those MUST be replaced pronto or risk unpleasant smelling smoke screen and significant damage.

Everything I've owned that was made by Philips has problems in that department. Shouldn't complain though; they've well exceeded the design life!

OldTechFan96 · 23rd Oct 2017, 10:22 am

Thanks for the advice everybody!

I thought that a scope would be needed to test the wobbulator. Since it is my birthday soon I think that I will treat myself to a working scope.

I would like to strip the wobbulator down further to have a better look at the switches and the power supply but I can't find a service manual online. Does anybody know where one can be found? I am always wary of pulling things apart without suitable instructions.

I've dealt with RIFA capacitors before and like to replace them on sight. One of them went bang in a Macintosh 128K that I've got.

Freya · 23rd Oct 2017, 10:38 am

its available here, http://85.144.192.2/nvhr/zip/Philips_PM5334.zip
You may need to register.

karesz* · 23rd Oct 2017, 12:06 pm

PM-5334 SM for the beginnings

rgds, Karl

OldTechFan96 · 23rd Oct 2017, 1:36 pm

Thanks for the service info! Is there any take-apart manuals?

How to the front knobs come off? There is a nut under each knob cap and they seem to be very firm. I don't want to turn them too hard.

MrBungle · 23rd Oct 2017, 1:41 pm

It's a generic collet knob so you should be fine undoing it. They're quite strong.

karesz* · 23rd Oct 2017, 2:14 pm

@OTF; Im sorry, but I didn`t check Stephens link, becouse I had my pdf version and loaded it rush up_OK, it seems to be from same scan/source and dont need registration...
Karl

22nd Oct 2017, 9:09 pm	#1
OldTechFan96 Octode Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 1,181	Testing a Philips PM5334 Sweep Generator Hello, I recently bought this generator as it was available locally for a good price and it will be useful for radio alignment. It powers on alright. The only trouble is that the switch does not latch. How would I go about testing this unit? I don't have a working scope but I do have a DMM and an AVO8. Thanks Attached Thumbnails

22nd Oct 2017, 10:46 pm	#2
WME_bill Octode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Exeter, Devon, UK. Posts: 1,554	Re: Testing a Phillips PM5334 Sweep Generator PM5334. A nice piece of equipment. I take it the the slide switch for on/off not latching. But that the other groups are operating correctly. There is a little sliding piece within the switch which moves as the button is pressed, and held with a spring. Unless careful cleaning say with meths or Isopropyl alcohol doesn't free it, then I fear it will mean a dismantling job to get the whole switch mechanism out. I have just had to do that with a fine old AF generator, and it really was a long winded, though not difficult job. wme_bill

23rd Oct 2017, 2:23 am	#3
Argus25 No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia. Posts: 2,679	Re: Testing a Phillips PM5334 Sweep Generator Hi, nice generator I have one. I would caution with this one that it is highly likely the pcb mounted axial electrolytics in the power supply section will be faulty. All of them failed in my unit at different times over the last 10 years, shorting out, causing damage to some of the transistors. It surprised me to some extent as they appeared to be beautifully made German parts. It might be that yours are OK, but if you have any power supply issues in your unit, these will be the cause. I posted a photo of a shorted one after I unwound the foils to find out why it did that, there is a photo in this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=131807 These caps may have already been replaced of course. PS: you will need a scope to get best use of this sort of generator.

23rd Oct 2017, 8:33 am	#4
Jac Heptode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands. Posts: 642	Re: Testing a Phillips PM5334 Sweep Generator It is absolutely intended to be used with a 'scope! The idea is that you see the IF (or other) curve on the screen. Jac

23rd Oct 2017, 9:24 am	#5
MrBungle Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: Testing a Phillips PM5334 Sweep Generator Definitely agree with Argus25's recommendation to replace the capacitors. Those blue Philips ones are trouble. Also watch out for any RIFA (gold box) capacitors around the mains inlet. Those MUST be replaced pronto or risk unpleasant smelling smoke screen and significant damage. Everything I've owned that was made by Philips has problems in that department. Shouldn't complain though; they've well exceeded the design life!

23rd Oct 2017, 10:22 am	#6
OldTechFan96 Octode Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 1,181	Re: Testing a Phillips PM5334 Sweep Generator Thanks for the advice everybody! I thought that a scope would be needed to test the wobbulator. Since it is my birthday soon I think that I will treat myself to a working scope. I would like to strip the wobbulator down further to have a better look at the switches and the power supply but I can't find a service manual online. Does anybody know where one can be found? I am always wary of pulling things apart without suitable instructions. I've dealt with RIFA capacitors before and like to replace them on sight. One of them went bang in a Macintosh 128K that I've got.

23rd Oct 2017, 10:38 am	#7
Freya Octode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,990	Re: Testing a Phillips PM5334 Sweep Generator its available here, http://85.144.192.2/nvhr/zip/Philips_PM5334.zip You may need to register. __________________ Stephen _________"It`s only an old telly" ___

23rd Oct 2017, 1:36 pm	#9
OldTechFan96 Octode Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 1,181	Re: Testing a Phillips PM5334 Sweep Generator Thanks for the service info! Is there any take-apart manuals? How to the front knobs come off? There is a nut under each knob cap and they seem to be very firm. I don't want to turn them too hard.

23rd Oct 2017, 1:41 pm	#10
MrBungle Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: Testing a Phillips PM5334 Sweep Generator It's a generic collet knob so you should be fine undoing it. They're quite strong.

23rd Oct 2017, 2:14 pm	#11
karesz* Heptode Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Zurich, Switzerland Posts: 538	Re: Testing a Phillips PM5334 Sweep Generator @OTF; Im sorry, but I didn`t check Stephens link, becouse I had my pdf version and loaded it rush up_OK, it seems to be from same scan/source and dont need registration... Karl