Stella ST110U off/on/vol switch change - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

howard · 14th Oct 2006, 7:46 pm

Hello,

I'm replacing the off/on/volume pot on my Stella ST110U using the one from my scrap set cos the former was very noisy. Unfortunately theyre not quite the same as you can see in the pic, the tags on the top are in different positions.

Ive assumed that the incoming mains wires still go to the outer tags, but what about the other two, or doesnt it matter ? The wires to the three tags at the bottom I assume are all in the same positions ?

I really should have taken a pic of the other set before removing this pot but I thought the sets were identical ..... Help !

Howard

paulsherwin · 14th Oct 2006, 8:09 pm

That one doesn't look original to me, though I might be wrong.

The mains switch is just a double pole switch and it doesn't matter how you wire it so long as both connections (live and neutral) are switched.

The three tags at the bottom connect to either end of the carbon track and the wiper that moves along it (that's the middle one).

It's probably a good idea to dismantle the control and clean the track while you have easy access to it - otherwise you may just end up with another noisy control.

Paul

mickjjo · 14th Oct 2006, 8:19 pm

Hi Howard, The new switch will work fine with the centre connections either way round but bear in mind that this is a live chassis design! For safety make sure that the black (neutral) wire ends up connected to chassis when the switch is on, assuming of course that the plug is wired correctly

.

Regards, Mick.

howard · 14th Oct 2006, 8:20 pm

Many thanks Paul and Mick,

I thought that was the case but I thought I ought to make certain I was doing it right. It may well not be an original part, but it does have a threaded hole in its spindle for the knob pin, its just those two top middle tags are in a mirror position.

Fingers crossed, here we go

Howard

paulsherwin · 14th Oct 2006, 8:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by howard

I thought that was the case but I thought I ought to make certain I was doing it right. It may well not be an original part, but it does have a threaded hole in its spindle for the knob pin, its just those two top middle tags are in a mirror position.

Many Philips sets used that threaded shaft system to secure knobs in the 50s, and it can make replacement very difficult unless you have the facilities to drill a new hole and tap a thread.

Paul

Tim · 14th Oct 2006, 8:52 pm

Hi Howard.
Make sure you have the right connections to avoid shorting the mains when you switch on!!!
A couple of minutes work with a meter( or even a battery and bulb) should tell you all you need to know.

howard · 14th Oct 2006, 9:27 pm

Hello,

All done and it works

And this pot is in good condition, no crackling or mechanical wear at all. Thanks all

Howard

14th Oct 2006, 7:46 pm	#1
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Stella ST110U off/on/vol switch change Hello, I'm replacing the off/on/volume pot on my Stella ST110U using the one from my scrap set cos the former was very noisy. Unfortunately theyre not quite the same as you can see in the pic, the tags on the top are in different positions. Ive assumed that the incoming mains wires still go to the outer tags, but what about the other two, or doesnt it matter ? The wires to the three tags at the bottom I assume are all in the same positions ? I really should have taken a pic of the other set before removing this pot but I thought the sets were identical ..... Help ! Howard Attached Thumbnails

14th Oct 2006, 8:09 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,967	Re: Stella ST110U off/on/vol switch change That one doesn't look original to me, though I might be wrong. The mains switch is just a double pole switch and it doesn't matter how you wire it so long as both connections (live and neutral) are switched. The three tags at the bottom connect to either end of the carbon track and the wiper that moves along it (that's the middle one). It's probably a good idea to dismantle the control and clean the track while you have easy access to it - otherwise you may just end up with another noisy control. Paul

14th Oct 2006, 8:19 pm	#3
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: Stella ST110U off/on/vol switch change Hi Howard, The new switch will work fine with the centre connections either way round but bear in mind that this is a live chassis design! For safety make sure that the black (neutral) wire ends up connected to chassis when the switch is on, assuming of course that the plug is wired correctly . Regards, Mick.

14th Oct 2006, 8:20 pm	#4
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: Stella ST110U off/on/vol switch change Many thanks Paul and Mick, I thought that was the case but I thought I ought to make certain I was doing it right. It may well not be an original part, but it does have a threaded hole in its spindle for the knob pin, its just those two top middle tags are in a mirror position. Fingers crossed, here we go Howard

14th Oct 2006, 8:52 pm	#6
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Stella ST110U off/on/vol switch change Hi Howard. Make sure you have the right connections to avoid shorting the mains when you switch on!!! A couple of minutes work with a meter( or even a battery and bulb) should tell you all you need to know. __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

14th Oct 2006, 9:27 pm	#7
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: Stella ST110U off/on/vol switch change Hello, All done and it works And this pot is in good condition, no crackling or mechanical wear at all. Thanks all Howard