Help with dial cord cut in Saba meersburg 7

[Lef de art]

Hello forum.
I recently started to repair my new project with a Saba meersburg automatic 7.
Looks to be a great radio.

One of my first problems is that I don't know what to use for replacing the dial cord.
Both cords , AM and FM are broken.

Thanks in advance.

[Refugee]

Necklace cord.

[Lef de art]

You believe it will work?
Everything i have tried didn't worked.
I used thick thread in the right size but after the first turns it stopped spinning.

Tomorrow I thought of trying fishing line

[Refugee]

Necklace cord is waxed like old tuning cord used to be.

[60 oldjohn]

Please search Radio Tuning Cord on Ebay. Never bought from the site. Is the tuning capacitor free to move? and any pully wheels free? Are you able to measure original string diameter often this is critical to smooth operation. If the cord is slipping on the driveshaft, (which it should not if it has been degreased) an old tech once told me rub the sticky side of the old cloth insulation tape on the cord.

Good luck with it John.

[Lef de art]

Tomorrow i try to find waxed like running cord. Seems more close to original.
Yes the tuning capacitor moves free. And i have the original so i can measure it ... So i will be close to the original dimensions. Yes the pully wheels moves free.

Another question... The ECL80 tube missing. Can i plug it in AC or i will create more problems ?

[crackle]

I use whipping twine available from chandlers in various colours and sizes, it is also waxed and works well on all the radios I have restrung.
Believe it or not I find that the waxed cords work better than non waxed, and the wax can help stop the cord riding over itself. It also slips around static guide posts well.

Mike

[Kevin Hoyland]

Hello.
If you look at my post on the same radio you will see that it has String and steel wire for Dial cords. Good look. If you look on german Ebay it has a man selling the steel wire dial cord.

Kind Regards
Kevin.
PS
look out for the clutch not working.

[Lef de art]

Hello Kevin, i have read your posts.
I will try some wax cords today and see.
Mine does not have steel wire nower. Only Wax strings.
Both AM and FM tuning are broken. The good thing is i have the originals so it will be easier to find the correct one.

I haven't test it yet because i miss the ECL80 tube and im afraid to plug it in AC. I wait the replacement tube and untill then i will make some recap and cords repair.
I so impatient to hear his sound !!!
The only German radio i have is one Granada Blaupunkt but im not very happy with his quality...

[Refugee]

With the ECL80 removed you could reform the main smoothing capacitors and power it up with the top of the volume control connected to an external amplifier while you are waiting.

[Lef de art]

The previous owner claims he tested it with out the ECL80 and he cached 2/3 stations.

Maybe the ECL80 is not used in the amplifier section, otherwise how he heard sound ?

[Lef de art]

0.5 wax cord from jewellery store has made fthe work !!!
Both AM and FM bands was broken....

The FM cord was quite easy to be replaced but the AM cord.... O my God.... Undiscribable difficult .... !!!!

[Lef de art]

I could not resist and i turned it on without the ECL80.
I tried it for a while on FM and it worked fine finding several stations. Its sound was very clear but relatively low .... Maybe because of old capacitors, or the ECL80 absence. The magic eye tube was too weak so it would have to be changed in future ...
Also 3 of the 5 bulbs under the keys have burned out. While searching I found that it is E5.5 8.5V The only ones available now are either 6V or 12V. What do you suggest ?

Why you believe the sound was quite low ?

[Kevin Hoyland]

Hello and good morning it is raining so hard were i live as i send this message to you i bet the Sun is out were you live. Right it is good you have the radio working. So now take it one step at a time, change one Capacitor then try the radio to see if it is working better. I do not reform old capacitors that are 50 to 60 years old fit a new one 50 uf /50uf do the job right the first time. If it was me i would fit the new valve first then do the capacitors. When your radio left the factory it had steel were fitted to it so some one has replaced it. the radio has green cone speakers fitted and should sound outstanding Is the Auto working. Will you please put photos on.
Thank you.
Kevin
PS one of the capacitors has 3 legs on it but you can replace it with one with 2 legs.

[Werner]

Die ECL80 is only used for controlling the motor (automatic station finder).

The bulbs can be replaced bei LEDs with a resistor in series.

Perhaps you could ask for further help in the SABA-forum .... you can write there in English.

http://saba-forum.dl2jas.com

Some hints for the motor (scroll down):

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/saba_m...tomatic_7.html

Greetimgs from Germany

Werner

[Lef de art]

I have difficulties with the ECL80 tube because of the eBay seller. He delays extremely the shipping process... I don't even have when he will ship the tube... Anyway this is a totally different story.

By searching i have found that somebody has replaced the 5 button lamps with 342 E5.5 6V lamp.
He describes the result as really good... So i will go with this choice and maybe i will try the 12V . If the 12V result is good i will keep the 12V lamps.

Waiting the eBay seller to send me the tube i suppose the only thing can do is to check and change the paper capacitors .
I have a multimeter that shows me if are leaky ... So i will start my tests.

I suppose is not a good idea to use the radio without the ECL80 ?

[Lef de art]

It a shiny day here Kevin.
I will upload some pictures after my work.
Have a nice day forum

[Lef de art]

Second test just finished.

The radio works in all bands (SW,MW,FM) with really good, clear and strong sound.
I haven't try the automatic function because i miss the ECL80 tube...
Im was wrong in my previous test with the sounds loudness.
The sound is really clear and strong. All buttons work perfectly and very smoothly.
I haven't yet change any capacitor so im really impressed with the radio performance. Only the EM34 (magic eye) is very dim.

And here are some pictures

[Lef de art]

And some pictures from inside...

[Lef de art]

The magic eye luminosity