Grundig TK 5. Magic Eye. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

hifigeek · 26th Sep 2017, 8:23 pm

Hi Everyone, just purchased a Grundig TK 5 reel to reel. Think it's from around 1955/56. Thankfully everything seems to work but the only thing I need to replace is the magic eye as it does come on but very faintly and almost impossible to see in any kind of light. I'm wondering would anyone know what the make and number is and where I might purchase one. Might be a bit of a long shot or I could end up buying another TK5 for spares and repairs. Any info would be much appreciated.

Richard

Ted Kendall · 26th Sep 2017, 8:51 pm

EM81, if memory serves, although this may depend on the version (MkI or II). It should be marked. Is the HT OK?

Michael Maurice · 26th Sep 2017, 10:14 pm

There may be a 470K resistor on the tube base, it may have gone high

kalee20 · 26th Sep 2017, 10:53 pm

Probably is - but failure of that resistor would only affect the amount of area which glows, not how bright that glow is.

Machines which leave the HT on are not kind to their magic eyes. If you can arrange things so that HT to the magic eye is switched on only when on 'record' will give a much longer life to your replacement.

26th Sep 2017, 8:23 pm	#1
hifigeek Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Clonlara, Co Clare, Ireland Posts: 4	Grundig TK 5. Magic Eye. Hi Everyone, just purchased a Grundig TK 5 reel to reel. Think it's from around 1955/56. Thankfully everything seems to work but the only thing I need to replace is the magic eye as it does come on but very faintly and almost impossible to see in any kind of light. I'm wondering would anyone know what the make and number is and where I might purchase one. Might be a bit of a long shot or I could end up buying another TK5 for spares and repairs. Any info would be much appreciated. Richard

26th Sep 2017, 8:51 pm	#2
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: Grundig TK 5. Magic Eye. EM81, if memory serves, although this may depend on the version (MkI or II). It should be marked. Is the HT OK? Last edited by Ted Kendall; 26th Sep 2017 at 8:59 pm.

26th Sep 2017, 10:14 pm	#3
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,225	Re: Grundig TK 5. Magic Eye. There may be a 470K resistor on the tube base, it may have gone high __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

26th Sep 2017, 10:53 pm	#4
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,088	Re: Grundig TK 5. Magic Eye. Probably is - but failure of that resistor would only affect the amount of area which glows, not how bright that glow is. Machines which leave the HT on are not kind to their magic eyes. If you can arrange things so that HT to the magic eye is switched on only when on 'record' will give a much longer life to your replacement.