Radford Labpack "modernisation". - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

k_yller · 15th Dec 2024, 12:27 pm

to make this old unit more usefull

first step low voltage side
unit with similar outlook ;-) can be powered from labpack (banana sockets) or works as stand alone (max 4.5A 17,5 V) on mains (old dell notebook PS inside)

Wendymott · 21st Dec 2024, 12:30 pm

Nice to see my "ex" Radford being useful

Nickthedentist · 21st Dec 2024, 1:11 pm

Impressive.

I love the Radpack that some kind member sold me cheaply a few years ago. Your add-on is a nice, non-destructive touch to make it even more useful in the C21st.

What did you make the matching case out of?

McMurdo · 21st Dec 2024, 1:56 pm

Nice addition! Radford did a range of add-ons for the labpack and they clipped to either side into the recessed louvres provided and were secured by brass straps attached across the output terminals.

mark_in_manc · 22nd Dec 2024, 10:11 am

Ah, this is Wendy's one. In a previous life it was used in the Acoustics Dept of Salford University, in case that back story is interesting. I think it was retired (by me

) in the middle 90s.

k_yller · 27th Mar 2025, 9:28 pm

Hi
next step
in few words
HT stabilised variable PSU powered from Labpack (ok will be, i have to make few changes inside Labpack itself). Simply stabiliser series tube triode 6s19p error amplifier like usually EF80 reference volt.TAA550. Heaters elevated to ~100V (one winding for both tubes)
inside aux LT PSU 6V+6V+5V for meters, fan (switch on at70C of case) & alarm (switch on at 105 C of case).Encolsure made from aluminium fron panel anodised
full dependent on LABPACK all feed - (230V for aux PSU, HT and LT for heaters)
now in funnel changes inside Labpack on HT part

if somebody have too much free time

https://youtu.be/I_P0SmOmols
or have eternity of free time
https://youtu.be/5tPflxJ0lyE

k_yller · 25th Sep 2025, 9:19 pm

finally it get connection -main unit to HT module
330V (or360 V) for HT PSU (6s19p +EF80)
6.3V for heaters for tubes above
230V for auxiliary power supply (3x5V) for meters +vent fan+ warning buzzer
in plug is a loop , pulling out disconnect 300 & 230V from socket
what lef -blank holes on main unit - it will take eternity

))

Station X · 26th Sep 2025, 12:19 pm

Threads merged.

15th Dec 2024, 12:27 pm	#1
k_yller Pentode Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 170	Radford Labpack "modernisation". to make this old unit more usefull first step low voltage side unit with similar outlook ;-) can be powered from labpack (banana sockets) or works as stand alone (max 4.5A 17,5 V) on mains (old dell notebook PS inside) Attached Thumbnails

21st Dec 2024, 12:30 pm	#2
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,885	Re: radford labpack "modernisation" Nice to see my "ex" Radford being useful __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

21st Dec 2024, 1:11 pm	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 19,100	Re: Radford Labpack "modernisation". Impressive. I love the Radpack that some kind member sold me cheaply a few years ago. Your add-on is a nice, non-destructive touch to make it even more useful in the C21st. What did you make the matching case out of?

21st Dec 2024, 1:56 pm	#4
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 5,783	Re: Radford Labpack "modernisation". Nice addition! Radford did a range of add-ons for the labpack and they clipped to either side into the recessed louvres provided and were secured by brass straps attached across the output terminals. __________________ Kevin

22nd Dec 2024, 10:11 am	#5
mark_in_manc Octode Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 1,963	Re: Radford Labpack "modernisation". Ah, this is Wendy's one. In a previous life it was used in the Acoustics Dept of Salford University, in case that back story is interesting. I think it was retired (by me ) in the middle 90s. __________________ "The best dBs, come in 3s" - Woody Brown

27th Mar 2025, 9:28 pm	#6
k_yller Pentode Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 170	Re: Radford Labpack "modernisation". Hi next step in few words HT stabilised variable PSU powered from Labpack (ok will be, i have to make few changes inside Labpack itself). Simply stabiliser series tube triode 6s19p error amplifier like usually EF80 reference volt.TAA550. Heaters elevated to ~100V (one winding for both tubes) inside aux LT PSU 6V+6V+5V for meters, fan (switch on at70C of case) & alarm (switch on at 105 C of case).Encolsure made from aluminium fron panel anodised full dependent on LABPACK all feed - (230V for aux PSU, HT and LT for heaters) now in funnel changes inside Labpack on HT part if somebody have too much free time https://youtu.be/I_P0SmOmols or have eternity of free time https://youtu.be/5tPflxJ0lyE Attached Thumbnails

25th Sep 2025, 9:19 pm	#7
k_yller Pentode Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 170	radford labpack modernisation "follow up" finally it get connection -main unit to HT module 330V (or360 V) for HT PSU (6s19p +EF80) 6.3V for heaters for tubes above 230V for auxiliary power supply (3x5V) for meters +vent fan+ warning buzzer in plug is a loop , pulling out disconnect 300 & 230V from socket what lef -blank holes on main unit - it will take eternity )) Attached Thumbnails

26th Sep 2025, 12:19 pm	#8
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 22,795	Re: Radford Labpack "modernisation". Threads merged. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.