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Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only.

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Old 26th Sep 2020, 9:44 pm   #1
Van wotsit
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Default Newbie with a GEC BC5050

Hi I am trying to restore a GEC BC5050 for my Father in Law.
I have managed to get the unit out of the case and dust off all of the innards.
I need to replace the winding string and wire for the tuner, the speaker and the speaker cloth, before I start on the electrics/valves.
Any help/advice gratefully received
Thanks Michiel
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Old 27th Sep 2020, 6:10 am   #2
crackle
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Default Re: Newbie with a GEC BC5050

It would be useful to those offering advice if you can explain a little about your experience with electronics and the workshop tools you have to hand.

It looks like a fairly straightforward MW & LW radio. https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/genera...050bc_505.html
Mike
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Old 27th Sep 2020, 9:38 am   #3
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Default Re: Newbie with a GEC BC5050

If you have a bit more than just basic knowledge then there is loads of useful advice here: https://www.vintage-radio.com/repair...and-tests.html . If that is beyond your skill and knowledge level then members here should be able to set you on the right path. Cheers, Jerry
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Old 27th Sep 2020, 10:17 am   #4
60 oldjohn
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Default Re: Newbie with a GEC BC5050

Hi Michiel, welcome to the forum. How to put a new string for the tuner is in the Trader sheet available top right of this page for £1.99. Please be aware there are two versions of this set, AC or AC/DC. The AC/DC has all the metal chassis connected direct to one side of the mains and can be lethal in inexperienced hands.

John.
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Old 27th Sep 2020, 12:38 pm   #5
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Default Re: Newbie with a GEC BC5050

Definitely worth getting the trader sheet as John says, it will show you the difference between the 2 sets, the AC/DC version was the BC5055 but there is always the chance that the back has been swapped at some time in the past!
Steve.
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Old 27th Sep 2020, 12:44 pm   #6
Edward Huggins
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Default Re: Newbie with a GEC BC5050

What makes you think you need to replace the loudspeaker, they rarely fail? If there is no sound, it is far more likely to be something else.
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Old 27th Sep 2020, 1:22 pm   #7
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Default Re: Newbie with a GEC BC5050

You'll find plenty of useful information here:-

http://www.vintage-radio.com/repair-...ion/index.html

Whatever you do don't start changing components because you think they may be faulty or they look faulty. It's a recipe for disaster. Logical fault finding is the way to go.
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Old 29th Oct 2020, 11:52 pm   #8
Van wotsit
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Default Re: Newbie with a GEC BC5050

Sorry had trouble getting back on.
Have sorted winding time for tuner, soldered on new flex and sourced new speaker cover material.
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Old 5th Nov 2020, 10:46 pm   #9
Van wotsit
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Default Re: Newbie with a GEC BC5050

Next newbie basic question!
How do I find out what fuse to fit to the new plug?
What kind of wattage does this type of radio normally draw?
Thanks again for all your help
M
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Old 5th Nov 2020, 11:13 pm   #10
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Default Re: Newbie with a GEC BC5050

70W
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Old 6th Nov 2020, 7:59 am   #11
crackle
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Default Re: Newbie with a GEC BC5050

If you are going to make it safe to use, as opposed to just a display item, then it is going to need a lot more work replacing faulty components than what you have mentioned so far.
The valves are probably the last of your worries. If it has not already been restored there will be lots of wax paper capacitors which will need replacing, and possibly resistors that have drifted way off value.
But before all that I would carry out checks on the mains transformer and output transformer, and main smoothing capacitors.
Any major problems with these can cause big problems.

Mike

Last edited by crackle; 6th Nov 2020 at 8:06 am.
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