Ferranti 146 Radio - Spares Sources

[Retrowave]

Hi,

I've recently acquired a Ferranti 146 radio. In addition to a loud hum (which is present wherever its aerial is positioned) other ailments include a blown tuning scale illumination bulb and a sloppy, instead of crisp, band selector switch which causes crackling and distortion when moved. Obviously the set needs to go to the operating theatre for exploratory tests and replacement of anything gone or going but before I pull the plug and wheel it off to surgery, can the community recommend a likely source of spares for the more difficult original parts such as bulbs and the selector switch for this model?

Thanks in advance....

[Kentode]

Welcome to the forum!

Start by getting the service sheets available at the top right hand corner of the page. The pilot lamps are 6.2 volt 300 mA, you'll find them on eBay.

The wavechange switch will need to be cleaned with deoxit, and can probably be saved but we need to see a photo.

The hum is probably caused by dried electrolytic capacitors c42 43 and 44.

Other capacitors and resistors Will need to be tested and replaced, have you got a multimeter?

[Cobaltblue]

Hi Retro and welcome to the forum.


As Kentode says good chance the Wavechage will need to be cleaned.


If its "sloppy" Its possible the ident isn't working.


It's often a ball bearing under a metal spring that sits in indentations on the switch frame.


The ball bearing can fall out but its not thet common and occurance.



That would make your switch sloppy.


Its unusual to have to change the wavechange switch unless its mechanically damaged.


Cheers


Mike T

[Silicon]

Wavechange switches in many radios are custom designed units and not readily available off the shelf.

Some of them have two ball bearings in the ident mechanism.

A common cause of hum is faulty electrolytic reservoir and smoothing capacitors.
The original capacitors were in a cardboard box.
However they may have been changed during a previous repair.

Dial bulbs are usually easy to obtain.

[Retrowave]

Thanks for the great welcome and advice. Yes, I have a good quality multimeter and looking at buying a good all-round soldering iron for this and future projects although I’m not sure of the most practical wattage (60 watts?) and shape of soldering bit for this and future work. Coincidentally, as I was moving it yesterday, I heard a rattle and out fell a ball bearing mentioned by Cobaltblue and Silicon! Thanks once again and will follow up on your advice.
Retrowave.

[Kentode]

Here's a picture of a three way switch, as can be seen the ball bearing sits in a recess .

[Ed_Dinning]

Hi Retro, I have some old switches if it is more than the ball bearing that may be capable of being pressed into service; also a good selection of valves, valvebases and other useful bits if you need them.

Cheers, Ed