|
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. |
|
Thread Tools |
14th Aug 2017, 10:46 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 13
|
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 |
14th Aug 2017, 11:03 pm | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,799
|
Re: Unknown brand of capacitor.
Jackson Polyvaricon? or one of the copies of same.
David
__________________
Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
14th Aug 2017, 11:52 pm | #3 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 13
|
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 |
15th Aug 2017, 7:22 am | #4 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,799
|
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.
David
__________________
Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
15th Aug 2017, 8:02 am | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,700
|
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 Last edited by Reelman; 15th Aug 2017 at 8:05 am. Reason: Addition |
15th Aug 2017, 11:59 am | #6 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 1,205
|
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" |
15th Aug 2017, 2:36 pm | #7 | |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Solihull, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 4,872
|
Re: Unknown brand of capacitor.
Quote:
|
|
15th Aug 2017, 3:04 pm | #8 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,700
|
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 |
15th Aug 2017, 6:06 pm | #9 |
Hexode
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Malvern, Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 340
|
Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.
Jackson Dilecon-arguably the least good component in a tuned circuit but better than nothing.
|
15th Aug 2017, 6:44 pm | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,923
|
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".
__________________
Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch. |
15th Aug 2017, 7:54 pm | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK.
Posts: 7,059
|
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. |
15th Aug 2017, 8:25 pm | #12 |
Heptode
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Washington DC, USA
Posts: 619
|
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
__________________
David |
15th Aug 2017, 9:46 pm | #13 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 13
|
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 |
15th Aug 2017, 10:08 pm | #14 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 13
|
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? |
15th Aug 2017, 11:12 pm | #15 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,799
|
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
__________________
Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
15th Aug 2017, 11:37 pm | #16 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 13
|
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 |
16th Aug 2017, 12:36 am | #17 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,923
|
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
__________________
Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch. |
16th Aug 2017, 2:54 am | #18 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tintinara, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 2,324
|
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 |
16th Aug 2017, 7:21 am | #19 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,799
|
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
__________________
Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
17th Aug 2017, 11:23 am | #20 |
Octode
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts. UK.
Posts: 1,906
|
Re: Unknown brand of variable capacitor.
Hello
According to my home radio catalogue they are indeed made by Jackson (Dilecon) |