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Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only. |
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11th Aug 2014, 11:28 am | #101 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Chocolate block is horrible stuff and best avoided. Some of the stuff supplied by DIY outlets comes with the threads already stripped. When used with stranded wire it's all too easy to cut through strands by over tightening. Leave the screw too loose and it may vibrate free releasing the wire . Terminating wires directly under screws has never seemed like a good idea to me. The connectors where some kind of metal barrier is interposed between the wire and the screw are much better.
In a vintage radio it's much better to solder the mains lead.
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11th Aug 2014, 11:48 am | #102 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Probably a brand or makers name, but in my Thorn days they were known as mischke terminals. Not sure about the spelling there, but I think during my time in 'stock control' and 'buying', that was how I saw the word typed out.
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11th Aug 2014, 5:40 pm | #103 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Thanks everyone, quite a bit for me to digest here, so I will take my time with all your comments.
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12th Aug 2014, 12:12 pm | #104 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Just reading this websites advice on cabinet care, and I noticed it states do not use Pledge or Mr Sheen to polish the wood.
May I ask why? |
12th Aug 2014, 1:03 pm | #105 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Being silicone based, they are more for use on plastics and such finishes on modern items. Older wireless sets are perhaps better polished and cleaned using a more 'wood friendly', natural product.
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12th Aug 2014, 2:20 pm | #106 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Thank you, Steve.
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24th Aug 2014, 9:02 am | #107 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Another really silly question, but I need to ask because I am struggling!
Do valves ALWAYS glow if operating correctly? I have one that isn't and I daren't leave the set on for more than a few seconds for fear of blowing something. PS - When you guys talk about "heaters" on this forum, are you referring to a part of a valve that glows? |
24th Aug 2014, 9:54 am | #108 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Use spit (ugghh!). A wonderful and extremely gentle cleaner. So good that museum conservators have been known to use it.
Liberon burnishing cream is a finish reviver. It contains a very fine abrasive (some sort of very fine Rottenstone/Tripoli powder) suspended in a solvent. I've never found it to be a problem with Shellac. Don't use it more than once, it's still an abrasive (however gentle) and eventually you will end up with a finish that looks like glass (ugghh! again). A little White Spirit on a cloth is pretty effective at removing dirt and grime. You can use a simple furniture wax after. |
24th Aug 2014, 9:58 am | #109 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
"Spit"?? Really!? Well, I suppose if it's good enough for the army's boots! Spit and polish Will buy the Liberon cream, I think I have some of their other products. Thanks! |
24th Aug 2014, 10:13 am | #110 | |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Quote:
All valves glow to some extent, but some glow so dimly that it may only be possible to see the glow in the dark and then only if you're looking at the right angle. You can test a valve's heater by measuring the resistance between the heater pins. An infinite (open circuit) reading indicates a faulty (blown) heater. Do this test with the valve removed from the circuit or you'll get a false reading. The heater pins for each valve are clearly shown on the ERT Service Sheet.
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24th Aug 2014, 10:15 am | #111 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Thank you, Graham!
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25th Aug 2014, 9:29 am | #112 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Graham,
The valve was open circuit, so thanks for your help, am now on the hunt for a replacement. Much appreciated. |
25th Aug 2014, 10:04 am | #113 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
What valve is it? Not sure if you've already done it, but there's a 'wanted' page on this forum.
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25th Aug 2014, 11:24 am | #114 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Hi Steve
It's a Pen45, haven't seen the 'wanted' page, thanks for pointing me in the right direction! |
25th Aug 2014, 8:08 pm | #115 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Give it a go on the wanted page, it's not an uncommon valve, I may have one myself somewhere, but not saying that I can lay my hands on one easily as I have boxes of old valves to wade through. Anyway, see how you go on with a wanted ad.
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26th Aug 2014, 5:32 am | #116 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Thanks, Steve, I will try that.
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16th Sep 2014, 12:37 pm | #117 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Hello Everyone
Me again, asking for more help. Please could somebody take a very quick look at the attached (very rough) drawing and confirm I have got the wiring correct for a lamp limiter? Thanks in advance! Gray |
16th Sep 2014, 2:12 pm | #118 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Yes, that will work fine. Make sure the switch is open when you first connect it: closing the switch will short out the lamp and apply the full force of the mains to the appliance plugged into the socket. You probably will want to label the switch positions, to avoid potential disaster.
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16th Sep 2014, 4:38 pm | #119 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
Thank you, AJS, for your prompt reply!
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29th Sep 2014, 12:15 pm | #120 |
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Re: Ambassador 545
May I describe the results from my lamp limiter test, please?
I apply power from the mains, and the bulb filament glows orange, then fades, then after about ten - twenty seconds, the bulb filament glows again. The light behind my radio tuning dial also lights. Can I ask if this is good?! More importantly, what is happening? If anyone could explain really simply where the current is going, and what it is doing, I would appreciate it! Thank you! |