Marconi Mini - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

mark pirate · 26th Dec 2008, 1:50 pm

Hi all, I have a few TV's lined up for restoration, so I thought I would make a start on the smallest

.

This little TV came from a house clearance, it was filthy, covered in paint spots and missing two of its knob brights, the other thing I noticed was that the tuner buttons would not stay in.

On removal of the back, I was greeted with a very dusty untouched chassis. After a good clean and inspection, I powered it up, amazingly it came up with a reasonable picture, if a little out of focus and lacking contrast.

The first thing I tackled was the tuner fault. On removal of the pushbutton unit, the reason the buttons were failing to lock in became obvious; the plastic washers that hold the springs had disintegrated. I came up with a method of repair (see seperate thread, in Vintage Television).

After successful repair of the tuner, all that was required was a few adjustments of the presets aand the set was working well. After being on for a few hours, the picture has noticeably improved and is very stable.

I then turned my attention to the cabinet, starting with the front of the set. I used a mix of washing powder and kitchen spray aided with an old toothbrush to clean all the muck from the speaker grille, then it was the turn of the rear half. This was put in the sink, given the same treatment and rinsed off with hot water and allowed to dry off. Luckily all the paint spots came off easily, it was then re-assembled and I am watching it as I write this.

I am pleased with this little set, not used for years due to its tuner fault,
It is nice to see it back to its former glory, another one saved from the landfill.

Mark

mark pirate · 26th Dec 2008, 1:52 pm

And the After photos...

Steve_P · 26th Dec 2008, 3:51 pm

They're damn good little sets these - they just carry on working but are often put out of action by mechanical problems. They come in different colours and they are very good for camping or using outside on a nice day.

Well done with the restoration.

Cheers,

Steve P.

Tazman1966 · 3rd Jan 2009, 12:37 pm

Hi Mark.

That's a nice job you've done there. There was an almost identical (to look at) model but using the 1580 hybrid chassis but I suspect that they're a lot rarer

I may be able to get hold of a replacement aluminium cap for that tuner button if you're interested.

Steve_P · 3rd Jan 2009, 1:15 pm

The 1580 chassis - had a capacitive dropper for the valves - drop the mains and see what happens with one! Some took ages to get going. The capacitor was, I think, 4.33 uF.

There was a difference - the slats on the speaker system. Horizontal on the 1590, Vertical on the 1580.

Cheers,

Steve P.

mark pirate · 3rd Jan 2009, 10:05 pm

Hi taz,

Quote:

I may be able to get hold of a replacement aluminium cap for that tuner button if you're interested.

Yes please, it is also missing the cap for the volume control, i think it is the same as the tuner.

Mark

26th Dec 2008, 1:50 pm	#1
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Marconi Mini Hi all, I have a few TV's lined up for restoration, so I thought I would make a start on the smallest . This little TV came from a house clearance, it was filthy, covered in paint spots and missing two of its knob brights, the other thing I noticed was that the tuner buttons would not stay in. On removal of the back, I was greeted with a very dusty untouched chassis. After a good clean and inspection, I powered it up, amazingly it came up with a reasonable picture, if a little out of focus and lacking contrast. The first thing I tackled was the tuner fault. On removal of the pushbutton unit, the reason the buttons were failing to lock in became obvious; the plastic washers that hold the springs had disintegrated. I came up with a method of repair (see seperate thread, in Vintage Television). After successful repair of the tuner, all that was required was a few adjustments of the presets aand the set was working well. After being on for a few hours, the picture has noticeably improved and is very stable. I then turned my attention to the cabinet, starting with the front of the set. I used a mix of washing powder and kitchen spray aided with an old toothbrush to clean all the muck from the speaker grille, then it was the turn of the rear half. This was put in the sink, given the same treatment and rinsed off with hot water and allowed to dry off. Luckily all the paint spots came off easily, it was then re-assembled and I am watching it as I write this. I am pleased with this little set, not used for years due to its tuner fault, It is nice to see it back to its former glory, another one saved from the landfill. Mark Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Station X; 30th Dec 2008 at 10:18 am.

26th Dec 2008, 1:52 pm	#2
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Marconi Mini And the After photos... Attached Thumbnails

26th Dec 2008, 3:51 pm	#3
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Marconi Mini They're damn good little sets these - they just carry on working but are often put out of action by mechanical problems. They come in different colours and they are very good for camping or using outside on a nice day. Well done with the restoration. 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...?

3rd Jan 2009, 12:37 pm	#4
Tazman1966 Nonode Join Date: May 2006 Location: St Albans, Herts, UK. Posts: 2,193	Re: Marconi Mini Hi Mark. That's a nice job you've done there. There was an almost identical (to look at) model but using the 1580 hybrid chassis but I suspect that they're a lot rarer I may be able to get hold of a replacement aluminium cap for that tuner button if you're interested. __________________ All the very best, Tas

3rd Jan 2009, 1:15 pm	#5
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Marconi Mini The 1580 chassis - had a capacitive dropper for the valves - drop the mains and see what happens with one! Some took ages to get going. The capacitor was, I think, 4.33 uF. There was a difference - the slats on the speaker system. Horizontal on the 1590, Vertical on the 1580. 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...?