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Components and Circuits For discussions about component types, alternatives and availability, circuit configurations and modifications etc. Discussions here should be of a general nature and not about specific sets.

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Old 14th Aug 2017, 10:46 pm   #1
resincored
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Default Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

Can anyone help?
I have a seen these capacitors in a number of crystal sets that appear to be of British or European origin.
It would help to identify the correct origins of some of these sets if I could find out the manufacturer of these capacitors. They have no identifying marks of any kind.
http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/a...1&d=1502747156
Thanks,
Dan
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Old 14th Aug 2017, 11:03 pm   #2
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Default Re: Unknown brand of capacitor.

Jackson Polyvaricon? or one of the copies of same.

David
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Old 14th Aug 2017, 11:52 pm   #3
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Default Re: Unknown brand of capacitor.

Thanks David.
I am surprised that Jackson Bros would not put their brand on a capacitor but then again, my Jackson Dilecons have no brand name on them. They do, at least, have the value stamped on.
Dan
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 7:22 am   #4
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Default Re: Unknown brand of capacitor.

I've seen them with and without Jackson Bros marked on them. The quality of the unmarked ones was fine, so were Jackson supplying unmarked ones to some buyers? They also seem to have been copied. The reason for their popularity in crystal set kits and boy's christmas present constructor kits things was their cheapness.

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Old 15th Aug 2017, 8:02 am   #5
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Default Re: Unknown brand of capacitor.

I can remember buying one of these new in the 60s, probably for a crystal set! If memory serves it came out of a drawer behind the counter with no box or wrappings. It then went into the brown paper bag along with the other components bought.
So still no idea of a manufacturer, sorry.
I remember the shop but can't think of its name, will enquiry in the relevant thread. Was near the Bell in Walthamstow.
Peter

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Old 15th Aug 2017, 11:59 am   #6
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Default Re: Unknown brand of capacitor.

It looks very similar to the variable capacitors in a radio that my grandparents had. It was a Climax All Mains Four from 1931.

"Climax" seem to have made, or at least sold under their own name, components as well as equipment, so maybe it's one of theirs.

The design is quite old, an early solid-dielectric variable capacitor and like a more enclosed version of the Dilecon.
I suppose you could call it the fore-runner of the 1960's "Polyvaricon"
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 2:36 pm   #7
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Default Re: Unknown brand of capacitor.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Reelman
I remember the shop but can't think of its name, will enquiry in the relevant thread. Was near the Bell in Walthamstow.
I bought a similar one from Job Stocks in St Mary's Road, near Hoe Street station (now Walthamstow Central). About a mile from the Bell corner.
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 3:04 pm   #8
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

Without wishing to go off topic....
I remember Job Stocks only too well Dave, many happy hours spent looking in their windows! We may have bumped into one another there all those years ago.
I have put a request in the Bygone Traders thread in case anyone does remember the "Bell" shop.
Happy times,
Peter
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 6:06 pm   #9
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

Jackson Dilecon-arguably the least good component in a tuned circuit but better than nothing.
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 6:44 pm   #10
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

Definition of Quality; adequacy for pupose.

The only other component in the tuned circuit was a coil wound on "bog roll" centre tube ; gave me many, many hours of pleasure, "The International ShortWave Two".
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 7:54 pm   #11
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

It looks like a Jackson, but I bet it isn't. I do have some genuine Jackson Dilecon capacitors and the rotation limit is by features within the brass shaft and bush. Whereas this is by the less robust half-moon cutout in the Paxolin.

It also looks as though it was designed for two sets of stationary plates, i.e. a differential condenser for reaction control. Whether both sets were fitted, or only one set, is obviously something which could be decided in assembly.
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 8:25 pm   #12
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

It looks like the one I have. I got mine as part of a crystal set as a Christmas Present back in the early 1950's. The pix shows the other components, all of which came ready built in a plastic box. The box has long gone, but I still have the main bits as you can see
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 9:46 pm   #13
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

Here is the very same capacitor in a kit advertised on an auction site recently. It appears to be English.
Does this jog any memories?
Cheers,
Dan
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 10:08 pm   #14
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

The same capacitor is inside this set and the coil is remarkably similar to the coil in David's kit parts pictured above.
Does this ring any bells?
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 11:12 pm   #15
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

Guess what's in the Triang Tri-onic kits?

http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=46981

one behind the yellow dial, one behind the red.

David
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 11:37 pm   #16
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

If the same capacitor is inside the Triang Kit, I will assume that the capacitor is most likely English?
This infers that the little jewel box set above is also most likely English?
Just to throw a spanner in the works however, the bed lamp switch in the set is marked as "made in Italy"! Grr!
Dan
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Old 16th Aug 2017, 12:36 am   #17
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

I had one of the Trionic kits and that had a quite different and unusual capacitor behind that red panel. I don't remember everything about it but the plates were separated by a piece of plastic foam which compressed as the knob was turned.

My recollection of the Dilecons, and similar tuning caps, was they were fine for a while, but eventually, one or more of the dielectric sheets would tear around the corner fixing screws. Perhaps this made worse by tuning across the scale too fast. At the time, they were relatively cheap, so it wasn't too disasterous financially.

B
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Old 16th Aug 2017, 2:54 am   #18
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

Having some spare time yesterday, I had a browse through various issues of Shortwave mag and Practical Wireless from the '30's to the 60's.

I couldn't see any ad's that had anything like the the OP's cap, so no luck identifying it there.

Terry
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Old 16th Aug 2017, 7:21 am   #19
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

I had both of the Tri-onic kits, and I think I remember a dilecon on both dials. Maybe things got changed?

It was an interesting toy for a while, but then it stopped working. I suspect the transistors succumbed either to ESD or to me wondering what would happen if....

David
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Old 17th Aug 2017, 11:23 am   #20
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Default Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.

Hello
According to my home radio catalogue they are indeed made by Jackson (Dilecon)
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