Pye P76 (in Bristol) to dispose of FOC.

[Boulevardier]

I am about to dispose of a Pye P76. I undertook to try and repair this for a new poster on the forum, with the proviso that I didn’t have time to do massive amounts of work on it, and also with the warning that some parts needed might be unobtainable.

The problem turned out to be an o/c primary on the output xformer (it’s a “one-off” design, with part of the primary winding acting as HT smoothing choke). However, the whole radio seems to be untouched/unmaintained since new, and also seems to have spent it’s life in a grease/tar-laden environment – most of the innards (including the vanes of the tuning cap.) are coated in dust-bound tar which would be a massive job to clean off. However, the veneered cabinet is in very good nick. The owner told me that it was working OK until the latest fault in the OP xformer, so other parts are probably usable.

Anyway, with the owner’s agreement, it is headed for the council tip; but I thought I’d offer it (or any parts from it) here FOC in case anyone needs parts or is so desperately short of something to do that it appeals. I don’t drive, so can’t offer to help with transport. I don’t expect much interest, so I’ll give it a week or two before the tip.

Mike

[Boulevardier]

Just for completeness, I should add that this set is actually the P76F - the version with a frame aerial. I think that's the only difference.

Mike

[Ed_Dinning]

Hi Mike, a common fault on this type of transformer. They can be replaced with a similar ratio standard transformer and a smoothing resistor.
They can also be rewound

Ed

[John10b]

Hi Mike
Just for clarification, do you mean the tar like dust is soft and sticky or has it hardened , also can the tuning capacitor turn or is it stuck solid ?
Many thanks.
John

[Boulevardier]

Originally Posted by Ed_Dinning

Hi Mike, a common fault on this type of transformer. They can be replaced with a similar ratio standard transformer and a smoothing resistor.
They can also be rewound

Ed

Thanks Ed. I had hoped that it was just the choke winding that had gone o/c, so that I could replace it with a resistor (though I have heard that that can result in increased hum level). But it's the main output section of the primary that is o/c, so definitely needs a replacement OT. That makes it quite likely that DC leakage in the grid coupling capacitor caused the failure - fixable with a new capacitor and OT, provided the winding acted as a blowing fuse and didn't take out the OP valve with it.

However, I don't have a suitable OT, and bearing in mind that a lot of other work would need doing to restore the set to full ongoing reliability, it's more than I can take on at the moment (quite apart from the fact that I just don't need another large AM-only Pye around the house - I already have two Fenman IIs).

Mike

[Boulevardier]

This has now been reserved for Radiomobile (of this parish). Thanks for your interest, and gratifying that the council tip won't be seeing it!

Mike

[Station X]

Do you want the thread closed?

[Boulevardier]

Originally Posted by Station X

Do you want the thread closed?

Yes, please..
Thanks
Mike