Philips Philetta - B2D03A - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

PJC58-Hythe · 15th May 2012, 12:05 pm

I saw this little set at the NVCF and just had to have it! This has to be one of the most difficults sets to work on due to it's compact nature. The set is only 11"W x 7"H x 7"D but covers LW, MW SW and VHF and has input for an external audio source, so I was hoping that I didn't need to do too much work as it is incredibly difficult to get to any of the components!

On initial checking the the flat selenium rectifier was not working and the smoothing capacitor was very 'leaky', the mains transformer seemed to be OK fortunately. Becuase of the space restraints in this set I decided to strip out the innards from the smoothing capacitor and inserted 2 x 47uF 400V devices inside the original can (an excellent fit allowing just enough room for the wires), I then connected them to the existing tags and put the bottom back on. I stripped out the disks from inside the recifier casing and put 4 x 1N4007 diodes inside and put the case back on. The switches were given a good dose of switch cleaner and the hardened grease removed from the VHF tuning capacitor bearing.

Carefully powing it up I measured the voltages and all seemed well, stations were coming in on all bands except LW. This turned out to be a broken connection from the LW coil on the ferrite rod antenna. That was all I needed to do to get it working, as the chassis and case were extremely clean there was no need to clean these.

What a simple resoration!

SeanStevens · 15th May 2012, 12:20 pm

What a gorgeous radio and it does all waves.

I must get one, well done.

SEAN

JoshWard · 15th May 2012, 12:29 pm

That is beautiful

Well done

telstar · 15th May 2012, 4:57 pm

Hi Josh. I have one of these great looking Philips radios. You are right though, they are difficult radios to work on.
Cheers
Mike

telstar · 15th May 2012, 4:59 pm

Hi. Sorry I meant PJC58-Hythe.
Cheers
Mike

Steve_P · 15th May 2012, 5:14 pm

Why did they bother inventing Transistors?

Seriously though, that is one lovely set. Well done!

Cheers,

Steve P.

bobbyball · 15th May 2012, 5:54 pm

Excellent set and effort!

I have several of these sets in the "roundtuit" pile awaiting attention... !

Robert

PJC58-Hythe · 15th May 2012, 6:48 pm

Thanks for all the comments..

The sound quality on this little set puts some of my big 'woodies' to shame, it is truly excellent.

Robert - good luck working on the ones you have! Nothing much phases me with regard to restoration but getting to anything that needs replacing on these sets is a real challenge, especially if it's under chassis and burried deep...

Peter

bobbyball · 15th May 2012, 8:55 pm

Cheers Peter!

I remember buying one of these (in brown) at the local "junk market" when I was a student in Preston in the 1980's It looked wonderful lit up although I never did cure the distortion on the output (presumably "that" capacitor and others) as much to my horror I managed to knock it off the mantlepiece in my room. Then it was only good for spares. Have a few more now to get going so as the lighter nights set in, who knows!!

Well done again anyway...

Robert

Andrew2 · 17th May 2012, 9:45 am

This model always gives me a nice cosy feeling with its warm, golden glow. A styling masterpiece. Well done on preserving such a wonderful set.

15th May 2012, 12:05 pm	#1
PJC58-Hythe Heptode Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hythe, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 630	Philips Philetta - B2D03A I saw this little set at the NVCF and just had to have it! This has to be one of the most difficults sets to work on due to it's compact nature. The set is only 11"W x 7"H x 7"D but covers LW, MW SW and VHF and has input for an external audio source, so I was hoping that I didn't need to do too much work as it is incredibly difficult to get to any of the components! On initial checking the the flat selenium rectifier was not working and the smoothing capacitor was very 'leaky', the mains transformer seemed to be OK fortunately. Becuase of the space restraints in this set I decided to strip out the innards from the smoothing capacitor and inserted 2 x 47uF 400V devices inside the original can (an excellent fit allowing just enough room for the wires), I then connected them to the existing tags and put the bottom back on. I stripped out the disks from inside the recifier casing and put 4 x 1N4007 diodes inside and put the case back on. The switches were given a good dose of switch cleaner and the hardened grease removed from the VHF tuning capacitor bearing. Carefully powing it up I measured the voltages and all seemed well, stations were coming in on all bands except LW. This turned out to be a broken connection from the LW coil on the ferrite rod antenna. That was all I needed to do to get it working, as the chassis and case were extremely clean there was no need to clean these. What a simple resoration! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Peter - M0HYT - BVWS Member - GQRP Club http://www.retroworkshop.co.uk

15th May 2012, 12:20 pm	#2
SeanStevens Octode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,033	Re: Philips Philetta - B2D03A What a gorgeous radio and it does all waves. I must get one, well done. SEAN __________________ There are only 10 types of people, those who understand the binary system, and those who don't.

15th May 2012, 12:29 pm	#3
JoshWard Octode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 1,962	Re: Philips Philetta - B2D03A That is beautiful Well done

15th May 2012, 4:57 pm	#4
telstar Octode Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,592	Re: Philips Philetta - B2D03A Hi Josh. I have one of these great looking Philips radios. You are right though, they are difficult radios to work on. Cheers Mike

15th May 2012, 4:59 pm	#5
telstar Octode Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,592	Re: Philips Philetta - B2D03A Hi. Sorry I meant PJC58-Hythe. Cheers Mike

15th May 2012, 5:14 pm	#6
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Philips Philetta - B2D03A Why did they bother inventing Transistors? Seriously though, that is one lovely set. Well done! Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

15th May 2012, 5:54 pm	#7
bobbyball Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester Posts: 1,214	Re: Philips Philetta - B2D03A Excellent set and effort! I have several of these sets in the "roundtuit" pile awaiting attention... ! Robert

15th May 2012, 6:48 pm	#8
PJC58-Hythe Heptode Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hythe, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 630	Re: Philips Philetta - B2D03A Thanks for all the comments.. The sound quality on this little set puts some of my big 'woodies' to shame, it is truly excellent. Robert - good luck working on the ones you have! Nothing much phases me with regard to restoration but getting to anything that needs replacing on these sets is a real challenge, especially if it's under chassis and burried deep... Peter __________________ Peter - M0HYT - BVWS Member - GQRP Club http://www.retroworkshop.co.uk

15th May 2012, 8:55 pm	#9
bobbyball Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester Posts: 1,214	Re: Philips Philetta - B2D03A Cheers Peter! I remember buying one of these (in brown) at the local "junk market" when I was a student in Preston in the 1980's It looked wonderful lit up although I never did cure the distortion on the output (presumably "that" capacitor and others) as much to my horror I managed to knock it off the mantlepiece in my room. Then it was only good for spares. Have a few more now to get going so as the lighter nights set in, who knows!! Well done again anyway... Robert

17th May 2012, 9:45 am	#10
Andrew2 Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 2,037	Re: Philips Philetta - B2D03A This model always gives me a nice cosy feeling with its warm, golden glow. A styling masterpiece. Well done on preserving such a wonderful set. __________________ Andy G1HBE.