Please help to identify a Beethoven Radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

DUNHILL · 8th Dec 2018, 10:38 pm

I’ve recently purchased a wood cased (measuring 21cm W x 21.5cm H x 15cm D)) radio with a rounded front top. It has a central oval speaker grill with on/off volume pot below. Below these are a bank of 6 pre set tuning push buttons, there is no provision or dial for manual tuning. Underneath is a Plate with 12 variable capacitors fitted numbered 1 and 1A to 6 and 6A, which I assume are to select and fine tune the pre set stations. The fibre board back is just marked Beethoven British Made Radio, with reference but no numbers to licence and patents. The Chassis is marked serial number PB201/8326, It has speaker and aerial sockets with 220 or 230 volt selection. It is a 4 valve unit being U4020 5 pin rectifier and an EK2 and an EF9, both 8SC type and a missing 8SC type valve. Besides the missing valve it looks to have had some caps replaced and messed with. I assumed the PB201 referred to the model number but can’t find any reference to this model anywhere, nor can I find a schematic and with it being 220 or 230 volts and the UK being on 250 volts when this was made, was it made for export? Any information or where I can buy a schematic would be very helpful. .

paulsherwin · 8th Dec 2018, 10:59 pm

It sounds like a 30's set from the valve lineup. Can you post some pictures?

Herald1360 · 9th Dec 2018, 12:29 am

Don't think the "UK" was ever on 250V though there may have been odd pockets of it.

200V, 220V, 240V were more common. Now it's nominally 230V but in reality it's still mainly 240V which is within the 230V tolerance band allowed.

martin.m · 9th Dec 2018, 12:48 am

The missing valve is probably an EBL1 (double diode output pentode). I have a used one that is free to a good home. Feel free to contact me if you are stuck.

Regards
Martin

Terry_VK5TM · 9th Dec 2018, 12:51 am

Like this?

Couldn't find any other info in a quick search.
Maybe more 1940's than 30's?

G8UWM-MildMartin · 9th Dec 2018, 2:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by martin.m

The missing valve is probably an EBL1 (double diode output pentode). I have a used one that is free to a good home. Feel free to contact me if you are stuck.

Regards
Martin

I think a CBL1 more likely.

DUNHILL · 9th Dec 2018, 5:02 pm

As you can probably guess although qualified in electronics, this is my first on radio, audio and valve equipment and any assistance is greatly appreciated. Besides the missing valve, some caps look to have been replaced but other components (caps &/or resistors) have been cut out and the wires left which is why, if I could purchase one, a schematic would be very helpful.

To reply:-

1. 250V AC was the norm in Yorkshire until the switch to 240V in the late 50's and on the switch to 230V, its stayed at 240.

2. Except for cosmetic condition, the photo you've posted is identical to my radio.

3. Many thanks for info on the missing valve.

The set looks to be AC only and as yet I haven't checked any of the tappings but isn't the EBL1 a 6V filament (like the EF9 and EK2) whilst the CBL1 a 40V filament?

8th Dec 2018, 10:38 pm	#1
DUNHILL Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2	Please help to identify a Beethoven Radio I’ve recently purchased a wood cased (measuring 21cm W x 21.5cm H x 15cm D)) radio with a rounded front top. It has a central oval speaker grill with on/off volume pot below. Below these are a bank of 6 pre set tuning push buttons, there is no provision or dial for manual tuning. Underneath is a Plate with 12 variable capacitors fitted numbered 1 and 1A to 6 and 6A, which I assume are to select and fine tune the pre set stations. The fibre board back is just marked Beethoven British Made Radio, with reference but no numbers to licence and patents. The Chassis is marked serial number PB201/8326, It has speaker and aerial sockets with 220 or 230 volt selection. It is a 4 valve unit being U4020 5 pin rectifier and an EK2 and an EF9, both 8SC type and a missing 8SC type valve. Besides the missing valve it looks to have had some caps replaced and messed with. I assumed the PB201 referred to the model number but can’t find any reference to this model anywhere, nor can I find a schematic and with it being 220 or 230 volts and the UK being on 250 volts when this was made, was it made for export? Any information or where I can buy a schematic would be very helpful. .

8th Dec 2018, 10:59 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,944	Re: Please help to identify a Beethoven Radio It sounds like a 30's set from the valve lineup. Can you post some pictures?

9th Dec 2018, 12:29 am	#3
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Please help to identify a Beethoven Radio Don't think the "UK" was ever on 250V though there may have been odd pockets of it. 200V, 220V, 240V were more common. Now it's nominally 230V but in reality it's still mainly 240V which is within the 230V tolerance band allowed. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

9th Dec 2018, 12:48 am	#4
martin.m Hexode Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bishop Auckland, County Durham, UK. Posts: 373	Re: Please help to identify a Beethoven Radio The missing valve is probably an EBL1 (double diode output pentode). I have a used one that is free to a good home. Feel free to contact me if you are stuck. Regards Martin

9th Dec 2018, 12:51 am	#5
Terry_VK5TM Nonode Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tintinara, South Australia, Australia Posts: 2,339	Re: Please help to identify a Beethoven Radio Like this? Couldn't find any other info in a quick search. Maybe more 1940's than 30's? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Terry VK5TM https://www.vk5tm.com/

9th Dec 2018, 5:02 pm	#7
DUNHILL Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2	As you can probably guess although qualified in electronics, this is my first on radio, audio and valve equipment and any assistance is greatly appreciated. Besides the missing valve, some caps look to have been replaced but other components (caps &/or resistors) have been cut out and the wires left which is why, if I could purchase one, a schematic would be very helpful. To reply:- 1. 250V AC was the norm in Yorkshire until the switch to 240V in the late 50's and on the switch to 230V, its stayed at 240. 2. Except for cosmetic condition, the photo you've posted is identical to my radio. 3. Many thanks for info on the missing valve. The set looks to be AC only and as yet I haven't checked any of the tappings but isn't the EBL1 a 6V filament (like the EF9 and EK2) whilst the CBL1 a 40V filament?