Philips 371A - dodgy bandswitch - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Tony1951 · 16th Oct 2013, 3:51 pm

I acquired a nice Philips 371a a couple of years ago and did the usual capacitor replacement jobs thanks to advice from members here.

I used it regularly for a couple of weeks after I did it up, and a problem occurred with the radio losing signal on some bands. This was rapidly sorted with a few squirts of Servisol 10 and working the switch a few times.

Recently I started using the radio again and I have had to re-apply the same treatment twice in four days. Any suggestions about what to do next would be welcome. I am a bit reluctant to do anything aggressive with the switch as it would be easy to ruin and hard to replace.

Are the contacts silver plated or brass? They look black with thin lines of a lighter colour visible on contact surfaces in the gloom of the radio's interior.

Should I persist with the servisol, or is there something a bit more effective for this job?

paulsherwin · 16th Oct 2013, 4:29 pm

From memory the contacts are brass.

It's possible the sprung wipers are getting tired, in which case there's not much you can do, but I would try cleaning the contacts with a cotton bud moistened with WD40. The oil film may be enough to stop the contacts oxidising again.

Don't just spray WD40 everywhere though.

Tony1951 · 17th Oct 2013, 2:46 pm

Thanks for the advice Paul. I will try a dab or two of WD40 next time it goes silent.

Always appreciate the good advice I get here.

telstar · 28th Oct 2013, 1:47 pm

Hi. This also happened on my Philips 371U variation. I will have to try some WD40 on this and see if it helps. Fortunately for me, I also have a scrap chassis, so may remove my spare switch and see if it is ok and replace the one on my complete radio.
Cheers
Mike

16th Oct 2013, 3:51 pm	#1
Tony1951 Tetrode Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tyne Valley, Northumberland Posts: 79	Philips 371A - dodgy bandswitch I acquired a nice Philips 371a a couple of years ago and did the usual capacitor replacement jobs thanks to advice from members here. I used it regularly for a couple of weeks after I did it up, and a problem occurred with the radio losing signal on some bands. This was rapidly sorted with a few squirts of Servisol 10 and working the switch a few times. Recently I started using the radio again and I have had to re-apply the same treatment twice in four days. Any suggestions about what to do next would be welcome. I am a bit reluctant to do anything aggressive with the switch as it would be easy to ruin and hard to replace. Are the contacts silver plated or brass? They look black with thin lines of a lighter colour visible on contact surfaces in the gloom of the radio's interior. Should I persist with the servisol, or is there something a bit more effective for this job?

16th Oct 2013, 4:29 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: Philips 371A - dodgy bandswitch From memory the contacts are brass. It's possible the sprung wipers are getting tired, in which case there's not much you can do, but I would try cleaning the contacts with a cotton bud moistened with WD40. The oil film may be enough to stop the contacts oxidising again. Don't just spray WD40 everywhere though.

17th Oct 2013, 2:46 pm	#3
Tony1951 Tetrode Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tyne Valley, Northumberland Posts: 79	Re: Philips 371A - dodgy bandswitch Thanks for the advice Paul. I will try a dab or two of WD40 next time it goes silent. Always appreciate the good advice I get here.

28th Oct 2013, 1:47 pm	#4
telstar Octode Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,593	Re: Philips 371A - dodgy bandswitch Hi. This also happened on my Philips 371U variation. I will have to try some WD40 on this and see if it helps. Fortunately for me, I also have a scrap chassis, so may remove my spare switch and see if it is ok and replace the one on my complete radio. Cheers Mike