I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Julianh · 20th Mar 2019, 2:30 pm

A while ago I posted that I wanted a large console style radio, well I got one!

I got a Zenith details here https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/zenith_6s254_ch5644.html

I live in Bradford, Can anyone recommend someone who could restore it for me, in particular the top of the case needs work, as you can see from here, but it's generally in good condition.

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...e-aa1000c7d56e

I'm not too keen on heights, but have to run a long aerial for it and the other radio I have, So I have asked the window cleaner, who is running a "wire" for me. I asked this before, but can I really use bell wire? If I'm paying him to do it, I should put the correct cable in, perhaps a couple? It's going to go around, under the guttering on my house, It's detached so it can literally go around the house., then through the wall to the radio. Can i use a FM aerial connector? Any suggestions?

Thanks, I'm really looking forward to listening to the radio.

julian

Herald1360 · 20th Mar 2019, 2:49 pm

Circuit wise it's a bog standard 4+R superhet which claims six valves since the detector is a separate double diode instead of the usual DDT arrangement. Looks like a couple of valves are missing but they're all fairly common types.

It shouldn't need much of an aerial to be fine for local MW stations- getting the lead in out of the house as close to the set as possible to reduce the amount of crap picked up from local mains wiring will help.

It shouldn't present much of a technical challenge (depending on whether you want a full house restuff etc job or just a competent get it going one) and info is here:

http://www.nostalgiaair.org/pagesbym...2/M0025212.pdf

There's plenty of room in the cabinet for a 240:110 stepdown transformer if required.

paulsherwin · 20th Mar 2019, 3:06 pm

Any wire will work. You just need to ensure it's tough enough to survive the elements.

Techman · 20th Mar 2019, 3:11 pm

Is there any valves missing? It looks basically the same as the RM picture regarding valves in place. There's a chassis top socket with a plug missing, but that's possibly just the speaker connection which could have been hard wired by the look of that much newer wiring and connector blocks etc. It looks like it's been 'worked on' at some time in the not too distant past, so what you're going to find beneath the chassis is anyone's guess, although it could actually have been worked on to the extent that it's actually in working order - closer investigation will tell a lot more.

Julianh · 20th Mar 2019, 3:53 pm

Thank you. Any recommendations on someone to restore the cabinet and or internals?

Preferably not a million miles from Bradford

Thanks again

sortedradio · 20th Mar 2019, 4:18 pm

Hi Julian,
The other thing to be aware of is this may well be a 110 volt set requiring a step down transformer to run on UK mains.

Edit: Just seen Herald 1360's post mentiong a transformer1

HamishBoxer · 20th Mar 2019, 4:31 pm

You will need a step down transformer,as the input states 115AC.

Send me an email if you need any help.

vinrads · 20th Mar 2019, 4:42 pm

Are you saying it's just the cabinet that requires restoring? Mick.

Julianh · 20th Mar 2019, 4:45 pm

cabinet and internals, come to think of it, there's no a lot left. I'll put the plug on it!

dave walsh · 20th Mar 2019, 5:23 pm

DON'T plug it in until the mains voltage and other factors have been checked Julian. It looks like there may be a step down transformer in place from [240v UK to 115v USA] but don't apply power unless you are certain it's ok to do so.You might get a catastrophic result re the set and your investment. The priority is the chassis at this point. You may not need an aerial wrapped round the house in the end and the cabinet can be dealt with by a furniture specialist.

If there are no set restoration set options within "Services Offered" here take a look at Past Times Radio [Doncaster not too far]. They can give you an idea of the cost involved.
Nice set but a relatively simple design despite the size, as said, so that might work in your favour. Instantly recognisable as American. They went in for Gothic designs as well ie curved tops rising to a point "Cathedral".

Dave W

Julianh · 20th Mar 2019, 5:25 pm

I was joking, there's no way. It needs a full check and restoration, if nothing else its on 120 we're on 240 supposedly. 220 v actually.

Station X · 20th Mar 2019, 9:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julianh

Thank you. Any recommendations on someone to restore the cabinet and or internals?

Preferably not a million miles from Bradford

Thanks again

Try a post in this section:-

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...play.php?f=145

usradcoll1 · 21st Mar 2019, 1:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by sortedradio

Hi Julian,
The other thing to be aware of is this may well be a 110 volt set requiring a step down transformer to run on UK mains.

Edit: Just seen Herald 1360's post mentiong a transformer1

What is that gray box hanging on the power cord (flex). It looks like it's heavy enough to be a voltage dropping transformer.

Jolly 7 · 21st Mar 2019, 1:46 am

In relation to an outdoor wire antenna, for my transistor radios I have used a random 10 metre quality copper-core coax cable with great results and this should work for a valve radio too. As mentioned, the feedpoint should be as close to the radio as possible and almost any connector can be used. Further improvements can be made with baluns etc. All outdoor connections should be adequately weatherproofed.

vinrads · 21st Mar 2019, 9:43 am

P.M sent Mick.

newlite4 · 21st Mar 2019, 10:27 am

There looks to be a mains distribution board on the left of the chassis with two "wall warts" plugged in as well as an extra speaker taped to the original. Hopefully the cabinet has just been used to house a supplementary sound system and the chassis has not been compromised in any way.
Neil

Techman · 21st Mar 2019, 11:59 am

Having a really close look at those sale room pictures I agree that there's more to this radio than at first meets the eye. The joke about fitting a plug has actually fallen a bit flat as it looks like there may possibly be several already fitted! It's a bit of a worry that there's wires trapped under the rear edge of the original chassis and disappearing somewhere into the works, hopefully it's perhaps just to connect the external sound source to the original volume control, or even to switch it by the original on/off switch - or both.

HamishBoxer has already offered to help in post #7. I believe he's spent a lifetime as a radio and TV engineer, so my advice would be to get in contact with him PDQ before he changes his mind!

HamishBoxer · 21st Mar 2019, 12:33 pm

Contact has been made Thank you for that.

Edward Huggins · 21st Mar 2019, 12:54 pm

It's interesting to see the relatively rare, high-sensitivity, 6F6 used in this circuit as opposed to the more usual 6V6 - but I'm sure Zenith had their reasons.
I think the OP may have a longish journey ahead before he needs to worry about aerials (and earths).

usradcoll1 · 21st Mar 2019, 5:14 pm

It looks as the set led an interesting life by the former owners.
The set is a later 1935 issue and the 6v6 valve wasn't released yet. Zenith was another firm that used one valve supplier, Sylvania.
Zenith seemed to use a mains transformer that was rather skimpy, barely covered the current demands.
It must've ran rather hot on the 50cy mains.

Cheers, Dave.

20th Mar 2019, 2:30 pm	#1
Julianh Triode Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 33	I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. A while ago I posted that I wanted a large console style radio, well I got one! I got a Zenith details here https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/zenith_6s254_ch5644.html I live in Bradford, Can anyone recommend someone who could restore it for me, in particular the top of the case needs work, as you can see from here, but it's generally in good condition. https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...e-aa1000c7d56e I'm not too keen on heights, but have to run a long aerial for it and the other radio I have, So I have asked the window cleaner, who is running a "wire" for me. I asked this before, but can I really use bell wire? If I'm paying him to do it, I should put the correct cable in, perhaps a couple? It's going to go around, under the guttering on my house, It's detached so it can literally go around the house., then through the wall to the radio. Can i use a FM aerial connector? Any suggestions? Thanks, I'm really looking forward to listening to the radio. julian

20th Mar 2019, 2:49 pm	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,536	Re: I got it!! Circuit wise it's a bog standard 4+R superhet which claims six valves since the detector is a separate double diode instead of the usual DDT arrangement. Looks like a couple of valves are missing but they're all fairly common types. It shouldn't need much of an aerial to be fine for local MW stations- getting the lead in out of the house as close to the set as possible to reduce the amount of crap picked up from local mains wiring will help. It shouldn't present much of a technical challenge (depending on whether you want a full house restuff etc job or just a competent get it going one) and info is here: http://www.nostalgiaair.org/pagesbym...2/M0025212.pdf There's plenty of room in the cabinet for a 240:110 stepdown transformer if required. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O Last edited by Herald1360; 20th Mar 2019 at 2:55 pm.

20th Mar 2019, 3:06 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. Any wire will work. You just need to ensure it's tough enough to survive the elements.

20th Mar 2019, 3:11 pm	#4
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. Is there any valves missing? It looks basically the same as the RM picture regarding valves in place. There's a chassis top socket with a plug missing, but that's possibly just the speaker connection which could have been hard wired by the look of that much newer wiring and connector blocks etc. It looks like it's been 'worked on' at some time in the not too distant past, so what you're going to find beneath the chassis is anyone's guess, although it could actually have been worked on to the extent that it's actually in working order - closer investigation will tell a lot more.

20th Mar 2019, 3:53 pm	#5
Julianh Triode Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 33	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. Thank you. Any recommendations on someone to restore the cabinet and or internals? Preferably not a million miles from Bradford Thanks again

20th Mar 2019, 4:18 pm	#6
sortedradio Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 656	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. Hi Julian, The other thing to be aware of is this may well be a 110 volt set requiring a step down transformer to run on UK mains. Edit: Just seen Herald 1360's post mentiong a transformer1 __________________ Martin BVWS member GQRP Club Last edited by sortedradio; 20th Mar 2019 at 4:20 pm. Reason: Addition

20th Mar 2019, 4:31 pm	#7
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,935	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. You will need a step down transformer,as the input states 115AC. Send me an email if you need any help. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

20th Mar 2019, 4:42 pm	#8
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,766	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. Are you saying it's just the cabinet that requires restoring? Mick.

20th Mar 2019, 4:45 pm	#9
Julianh Triode Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 33	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. cabinet and internals, come to think of it, there's no a lot left. I'll put the plug on it!

20th Mar 2019, 5:23 pm	#10
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. DON'T plug it in until the mains voltage and other factors have been checked Julian. It looks like there may be a step down transformer in place from [240v UK to 115v USA] but don't apply power unless you are certain it's ok to do so.You might get a catastrophic result re the set and your investment. The priority is the chassis at this point. You may not need an aerial wrapped round the house in the end and the cabinet can be dealt with by a furniture specialist. If there are no set restoration set options within "Services Offered" here take a look at Past Times Radio [Doncaster not too far]. They can give you an idea of the cost involved. Nice set but a relatively simple design despite the size, as said, so that might work in your favour. Instantly recognisable as American. They went in for Gothic designs as well ie curved tops rising to a point "Cathedral". Dave W

20th Mar 2019, 5:25 pm	#11
Julianh Triode Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 33	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. I was joking, there's no way. It needs a full check and restoration, if nothing else its on 120 we're on 240 supposedly. 220 v actually.

21st Mar 2019, 1:46 am	#14
Jolly 7 Octode Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,063	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. In relation to an outdoor wire antenna, for my transistor radios I have used a random 10 metre quality copper-core coax cable with great results and this should work for a valve radio too. As mentioned, the feedpoint should be as close to the radio as possible and almost any connector can be used. Further improvements can be made with baluns etc. All outdoor connections should be adequately weatherproofed. Last edited by Jolly 7; 21st Mar 2019 at 1:58 am.

21st Mar 2019, 9:43 am	#15
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,766	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. P.M sent Mick.

21st Mar 2019, 10:27 am	#16
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,806	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. There looks to be a mains distribution board on the left of the chassis with two "wall warts" plugged in as well as an extra speaker taped to the original. Hopefully the cabinet has just been used to house a supplementary sound system and the chassis has not been compromised in any way. Neil __________________ preserving the recent past, for the distant future.

21st Mar 2019, 11:59 am	#17
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. Having a really close look at those sale room pictures I agree that there's more to this radio than at first meets the eye. The joke about fitting a plug has actually fallen a bit flat as it looks like there may possibly be several already fitted! It's a bit of a worry that there's wires trapped under the rear edge of the original chassis and disappearing somewhere into the works, hopefully it's perhaps just to connect the external sound source to the original volume control, or even to switch it by the original on/off switch - or both. HamishBoxer has already offered to help in post #7. I believe he's spent a lifetime as a radio and TV engineer, so my advice would be to get in contact with him PDQ before he changes his mind!

21st Mar 2019, 12:33 pm	#18
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,935	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. Contact has been made Thank you for that. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

21st Mar 2019, 12:54 pm	#19
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,338	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. It's interesting to see the relatively rare, high-sensitivity, 6F6 used in this circuit as opposed to the more usual 6V6 - but I'm sure Zenith had their reasons. I think the OP may have a longish journey ahead before he needs to worry about aerials (and earths). __________________ Edward.

21st Mar 2019, 5:14 pm	#20
usradcoll1 Heptode Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, USA. Posts: 823	Re: I got it!! Zenith 6S254 console. It looks as the set led an interesting life by the former owners. The set is a later 1935 issue and the 6v6 valve wasn't released yet. Zenith was another firm that used one valve supplier, Sylvania. Zenith seemed to use a mains transformer that was rather skimpy, barely covered the current demands. It must've ran rather hot on the 50cy mains. Cheers, Dave.