Big old Murphy A170 radio to restore. - Page 3 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

GreasedMonkey · 31st May 2022, 8:27 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggies

Possibly the remains of a mica capacitor?
Ebay link for picture viewing only - not a purchase suggestion (your cap value unknown):-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334146156295

This looks like it would have been it.

I have got a ceramic to go in its place, I assume this will do the job.

Rich Woods · 31st May 2022, 4:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreasedMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Woods

Have got two original Murphy knobs with the original lettering on them for Volume & Tuner but otherwise identical. PM Me with your details & I’m happy to post them to you if they are any use.

PM Sent.

Many thanks indeed.

No problem at all, glad I could help.

ms660 · 31st May 2022, 5:31 pm

Looks like a missing 470pF (IF filter/rejector) If it's not a Dublin made one.

Lawrence.

GreasedMonkey · 1st Jun 2022, 1:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Woods

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreasedMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Woods

Have got two original Murphy knobs with the original lettering on them for Volume & Tuner but otherwise identical. PM Me with your details & I’m happy to post them to you if they are any use.

PM Sent.

Many thanks indeed.

No problem at all, glad I could help.

The knobs have just arrived safe and sound thanks.

GreasedMonkey · 6th Jun 2022, 9:59 am

I managed to get a little time with the chassis this weekend.

Not a great deal was needed to get the radio singing again. A few passives were out of spec so got replaced. I replaced the larger value waxies regardless of how they tested. Some of the insulation on the internal wiring was turning to dust and crumbling away, this I replaced with new using silicon insulated as this was the closest looking to the original I had ready access to.

At one point I thought I had made things worse somehow as it had gone from receiving several stations to being able to find only one, but my this turned out to be easily solved by plugging the aerial back in - D'OH!

I shall clean the contacts on the waveband selector as this needed an occasional 'jiggle' to get it singing loudly, but when reaching for my servisol, all I got was an empty can, so some more is on order. After this I shall consider the chassis finished and move my attentions to the case.

Surprisingly, there is some green glow left in the magic eye. Not a lot, but some. It is only really seen in a dim room, but it is better than none.

GreasedMonkey · 9th Jun 2022, 10:52 am

One more update,

Armed with a new can of servisol, I carefully cleaned the volume pot, and contacts on the tone and band selectors.

I have been listening to the radio for the last 4 hours with no issues. A bit of 5 Live, then a very interesting program about the death of stars (stars in the night sky, not like famous folk) on Radio4 LW, and a bit of absolute radio. Sadly, Caroline does not reach this far on AM. I could find noting of interest to listen to on SW.

I am now happy it is working well and will put the chassis away somewhere safe until I can make good the cabinet. I am looking forward to hearing it using its intended loudspeaker and in its case, rather than using a diddly little 3" speaker, open on the bench.

Thanks to everyone for the help, suggestions and hints along the way. This set may well be popping up again, in the cabinet restoration section of this forum.

31st May 2022, 5:31 pm	#43
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Big old Murphy A170 radio to restore. Looks like a missing 470pF (IF filter/rejector) If it's not a Dublin made one. Lawrence. Last edited by ms660; 31st May 2022 at 5:58 pm. Reason: extra info

6th Jun 2022, 9:59 am	#45
GreasedMonkey Pentode Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Worcester, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 183	Re: Big old Murphy A170 radio to restore. I managed to get a little time with the chassis this weekend. Not a great deal was needed to get the radio singing again. A few passives were out of spec so got replaced. I replaced the larger value waxies regardless of how they tested. Some of the insulation on the internal wiring was turning to dust and crumbling away, this I replaced with new using silicon insulated as this was the closest looking to the original I had ready access to. At one point I thought I had made things worse somehow as it had gone from receiving several stations to being able to find only one, but my this turned out to be easily solved by plugging the aerial back in - D'OH! I shall clean the contacts on the waveband selector as this needed an occasional 'jiggle' to get it singing loudly, but when reaching for my servisol, all I got was an empty can, so some more is on order. After this I shall consider the chassis finished and move my attentions to the case. Surprisingly, there is some green glow left in the magic eye. Not a lot, but some. It is only really seen in a dim room, but it is better than none.

9th Jun 2022, 10:52 am	#46
GreasedMonkey Pentode Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Worcester, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 183	Re: Big old Murphy A170 radio to restore. One more update, Armed with a new can of servisol, I carefully cleaned the volume pot, and contacts on the tone and band selectors. I have been listening to the radio for the last 4 hours with no issues. A bit of 5 Live, then a very interesting program about the death of stars (stars in the night sky, not like famous folk) on Radio4 LW, and a bit of absolute radio. Sadly, Caroline does not reach this far on AM. I could find noting of interest to listen to on SW. I am now happy it is working well and will put the chassis away somewhere safe until I can make good the cabinet. I am looking forward to hearing it using its intended loudspeaker and in its case, rather than using a diddly little 3" speaker, open on the bench. Thanks to everyone for the help, suggestions and hints along the way. This set may well be popping up again, in the cabinet restoration section of this forum.