Vidor Lady Margaret lid switch - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

davemorris · 6th Apr 2019, 3:47 pm

I have a Lady Margaret that I am trying to repair and I have been told that the most common fault is the lid on and off switch.
Can someone explain to me how this works and where to locate that switch in the radio.

I have bought new batteries for it and have tried it but nothing came on so I am trying the obvious first hence the on off switch.
Any elp will be appreciated.

Thanks

ms660 · 6th Apr 2019, 4:05 pm

The battery switch is on the inside of the case, the green,black,blue wires are connected to it in this photo:

https://www.***********/photos/12064036@N04/15463622098

Lawrence.

HamishBoxer · 6th Apr 2019, 4:06 pm

it normally is pretty clear,as it sticks up at the back of the set with several wires going to it.There may be a circuit available at the top right of the forum page.

Station X · 6th Apr 2019, 6:51 pm

Circuit available here:-

https://www.service-data.com/product...25/8462/t16525

I assume that when the OP speaks of new batteries he means PP3' in series an D cels in parallel?

Mike. Watterson · 6th Apr 2019, 9:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by davemorris

I have a Lady Margaret that I am trying to repair and I have been told that the most common fault is the lid on and off switch.

No, I've never had a faulty switch. I've done a lot of 1950s Vidor sets, the battery only models are all very similar and not much different to the Ever Ready or Pye.
The most common fault is open circuit primary on the output transformer. ALL battery valve sets. It's "burnt out" (no visible damage) due to leaky paper cap from the DAF91 or DAF96 (or US equivalents) Anode to the output valve grid. Often one of the two filaments in a DL96 will be gone too, resulting in low gain and volume.
See the Pye thread

Sometimes the switch needs cleaned.

Note the -LT and -HT are separated by a resistor so as to give a -ve bias for the DL96 grid via grid resistor.

Another common fault with these is that the HT electrolytic dries out and the set motor boats when volume turned up.
I leave the two large paper caps in place and cut wires under the chassis and mount small ceramic caps (the modern 50V ones are fine to well over 100V) to closest earth point. I think there might be about six caps to replace. Only the DAF96 to DL96 audio feed cap needs removed. The rest can be snipped at "live" end and left in place.

Geoff 555 · 7th Apr 2019, 9:36 am

Hello, had an Ever Ready Sky Countess with a switch that had quite small contacts and springs that had gone lazy, tried cleaning and tweeking but was only a short time fix. Cured by using 2 micro switches ( 1 HT, 1 LT.) mounted together on a small alloy bracket operated by a rod that went through the original hole for the switch.
Cured for a long time.
Cheers.
Geoff.

6th Apr 2019, 3:47 pm	#1
davemorris Triode Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales, UK. Posts: 32	Vidor Lady Margaret lid switch I have a Lady Margaret that I am trying to repair and I have been told that the most common fault is the lid on and off switch. Can someone explain to me how this works and where to locate that switch in the radio. I have bought new batteries for it and have tried it but nothing came on so I am trying the obvious first hence the on off switch. Any elp will be appreciated. Thanks

6th Apr 2019, 4:05 pm	#2
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Vidor Lady Margaret lid switch The battery switch is on the inside of the case, the green,black,blue wires are connected to it in this photo: https://www.***********/photos/12064036@N04/15463622098 Lawrence.

6th Apr 2019, 4:06 pm	#3
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,935	Re: Vidor Lady Margaret lid switch it normally is pretty clear,as it sticks up at the back of the set with several wires going to it.There may be a circuit available at the top right of the forum page. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

6th Apr 2019, 6:51 pm	#4
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: Vidor Lady Margaret lid switch Circuit available here:- https://www.service-data.com/product...25/8462/t16525 I assume that when the OP speaks of new batteries he means PP3' in series an D cels in parallel? __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

7th Apr 2019, 9:36 am	#6
Geoff 555 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 981	Re: Vidor Lady Margaret lid switch Hello, had an Ever Ready Sky Countess with a switch that had quite small contacts and springs that had gone lazy, tried cleaning and tweeking but was only a short time fix. Cured by using 2 micro switches ( 1 HT, 1 LT.) mounted together on a small alloy bracket operated by a rod that went through the original hole for the switch. Cured for a long time. Cheers. Geoff.