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Old 5th Sep 2016, 7:05 pm   #1
cathy_vintage
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Default Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Well Hi from me... I just lumbered my poor husband with a 'car boot special' vintage radio that I just had to buy, as it is just like the one my much missed dad used to tinker with when I was a little girl.

It's marked Eveready on the tuning dial and stamped with that name on the rear of the cabinet top edge but sadly the rear panel is missing. We had guesses, when we bought it, on the year of manufacture and my other half guessed circa 1937 by the look of the valves. We have both scoured the net and found a 'trader' service sheet for a 1938 Lissen model which appears to have the same chassis. The chassis on mine is marked 5030092. Could this mean that the Eveready model was 5030, as we have found some references to that on the internet? I gather that Lissen became Eveready models circa 1938 and the factory was bombed around 1941.

I would love (my husband who is an electronics engineer ) to get this to work but he says it's in a very unsafe condition as the insulation on the wires is crumbling. He says he can test the transformers, insulation etc but he won't touch it until we can determine that we can either test or know we can get replacements for the 5 valves in it.

This is the link with the Trader Service sheet. The 1st valve in mine is an A36B made by Eveready, as in the circuit diagram for Lissen 8543 .. Can anyone tell us how to either test the valve or find replacements please... I desperately want to get this working as it bring back memories of my dear dad. My hubby has loads of test gear oscilloscopes and signal generators (all gobbydgook to me )

Cathy

http://www.nvhr.nl/gfgf/schema.asp?Z...sSubmitted=yes
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 7:32 pm   #2
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Is this a battery set? What are the valve codes?

The valves are often in good working order in these old sets, as they deteriorate with use rather than time. There are many other components that will need checking and replacing though, including perished rubber wiring as you mention.

Repairing and restoring 1930s sets is actually quite a specialised job, even within the vintage radio community.
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 8:25 pm   #3
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Hi Cathy, there were some Eveready/ Lissen sets made, just pre-war I think, but I believe these were all battery models.
That in itself is not a problem, as there are plenty of designs using modern components for units that will allow a battery set to be safely powered from the mains (a further project for your husband!)

If you are up in the Newcastle area I can certainly test the valves for you, and give you pointers on restoration, but the may be other forum members who are closer.

Ed
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 8:26 pm   #4
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Thank you so much for the prompt reply Paul.

It's a mains set with pre-set station tuning. ( I have attempted to add a photo attachment)

The valves are all Eveready apart from one which has no markings but my husband says it is the rectifier valve. The other valve markings look like A23A, A70D, A36B and one which is hard to make out but looks like VP4? I appreciate it's a specialist job to get this thing to work but at least we can test out the transformers, replace caps etc and give the chassis/valve bases a general clean up and take it from there, if it's worth it. It's the thought of unobtanium parts that would be a real bugbear on this though. Do you think the schematic on the service sheet on my 1st post is correct for my radio's chassis, as that would be a great starter if it is?
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 8:37 pm   #5
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

My late Mother worked at the Lissen factory in North London up until the start of WW2 and , believe it or not, her Foreman was German. (she learnt german from him)
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 8:40 pm   #6
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Very kind Ed (also replied to Paul but post being checked by moderator ..is this because I am a newbie?) . It's definitely a mains model not battery. I am in Beverley but we do get up north on occasion as we have friends there from college days. My husband says he can check out the valve heaters as a starter for ten. He has what he calls a Variac ?? and an isolation transformer to carry out basic checks on the mains transformer after doing resistance/insulation tests on it, with the windings disconnected from the chassis

Loving this forum already ... Cathy
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 8:45 pm   #7
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Eveready valves were made by Mullard so there will be no problems finding replacements. A picture would help identify the model but I am sure it can be made to work again. It will be an AC mains set with a mains transformer.
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 9:02 pm   #8
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Hi Cathy,
The front panel layout certainly seems similar, as does the valve complement, so you can probably work from that service sheet with caution. The VP4 would have been an Ever Ready A50P originally (equivalent) and the missing rectifier would have probably been an A11D (UU5 or IW4-350).
Obviously, the high voltage wiring is an early concern, but before switching on search the Forum for what we often refer to as "That Capacitor". The reason will soon become clear.
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 9:04 pm   #9
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Quote:
Originally Posted by camtechman View Post
My late Mother worked at the Lissen factory in North London up until the start of WW2 and , believe it or not, her Foreman was German. (she learnt german from him)
Just love that story ... my other use for this radio is a prop in a play I am writing so any old tales like that ...keep em coming !!

Apologies if these replies come late as my posts have to be moderated initially I believe!
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 9:16 pm   #10
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Reading the list of test gear my hubby says he threw out his Avo model-8 years ago and has Fluke and dual range TTi meters now but he appreciates that voltage readings may have been quoted using an anlogue meter. He say's he has A German made one and an ITT analogue meter somewhere in the loft (he's restoring 7 Honda bikes so you can imagine how full of 'junk' it is ). is it worth digging one of them out for our 'radio' project. So nice to be working as a team on something like this after all of these years.
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 9:27 pm   #11
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Quote:
Originally Posted by AC/HL View Post
Obviously, the high voltage wiring is an early concern, but before switching on search the Forum for what we often refer to as "That Capacitor". The reason will soon become clear.
Thanks Directed him to search 'That Capacitor' . He has loads of stocks of NOS capacitors from a University dept that closed plus he orders from Farnell/RS/Rapid all of the time for his business and reckons, if he can find them, he will replace all of the caps on the chassis as he doesn't want to wreck any rare valves/transformers. He grumbled like mad when I bought that set but I can see him getting more enthusiastic ...once I drag him off his Honda/4 forum !
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 9:28 pm   #12
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

You don't need fancy test gear to work on old radios. You can use a modern DMM to take measurements so long as you understand the different characteristics compared with old analogue meters.

It sounds as if your husband has a good grasp of the issues involved, so with backup from forum members it should be possible to bring this radio back into use. There are many knowledgeable and helpful people here.
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 9:42 pm   #13
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Hello,
I think it may be the same as the lissen 8453 (not 8543) as shewn here
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/lissen_8453.html
It says it is virtually identical to the EverReady 5103 which is probably what you have.
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ever_5103.html
Yours Richard
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 9:55 pm   #14
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

The A36B has a heater voltage of 4V and is a triode/hexode frequency changer, with 100V and 250V on the anodes, so won't be a battery valve.

I hate to 'rain on anyone's parade' but to restore a 1930s set is far more complex than a post war set. The likelihood is that it will have a mains energised speaker as powerful permanent magnets (developed as part of the war effort), and hence, P.M speakers didn't really become the norm until after the war. If it is a mains energised speaker, the likelihood of the field coil, (which energises the speaker and also acts as a smoothing choke), being intact is slim to non-existent, so it's highly likely that it will need to be re-wound. Can be done, but not cheap!

The older the set, the more that conservation comes into play, just as it would with a vintage car. You can't really 'mend' or 'do up' a 1930s radio or just 'get it going'. The number of UK restorers I can bring to mind who are at the top of their game with 1930s sets and have a solid track record of documented total & successful restorations can be counted on one hand - almost one finger (Gary Tempest springs first to mind).

So yes, it's certainly possible to restore such a set, and seemingly Cathy's husband has the electronic skills, but it's not for the faint-hearted. As I live in Cottingham, East Yorkshire, probably not far from Cathy, I'll be happy to test those valves that I have the selector settings for on my Taylor 45D valve tester, for which I have the necessary B7 valve base adaptor. I do have the settings for the A36B, A70D, A23A, and VP4 valves. Also, happy to take a look at the set and advise on other aspects of its general condition and the likely work that would be needed. (It may well be that the valves are still serviceable and some other fault stopped the set from working originally).

If that's helpful, maybe Cathy could send me a PM so I can pass her my contact details.
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 10:17 pm   #15
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

As David says, you are certainly jumping in at the deep end. We normally advise newbies to learn the ropes fixing up a basic 1950s woody before moving on to 1930s sets. With dedication and perseverence a repair should be possible though.
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 10:26 pm   #16
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

If it's the same schematic as the Lissen 8453 then it's nothing complicated, just a bog standard AC superhet with PM loudspeaker, normally an easy fix if the transformers and coils are ok.

Internal photo's might confirm either way.

Lawrence.
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 11:29 pm   #17
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Nice looking set anyway. I suspect it may have had some attention in the past, so may not need as much work as your typical shed find.
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Old 5th Sep 2016, 11:57 pm   #18
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Hi Cathy. You're husband may be qualified in electronics but is he that confident with the Vintage stuff I wonder? As Paul points out and in terms of the classic Irish directions joke [please note my surname] "I wouldn't start from here". Plus the poor chap has to carry the emotional responsibility of getting it all all right for you! On such a detailed and precise Forum it's quite surprising [or not] how much technical issues relate to emotional ones in the end. On the other hand [as Paul says] he can't really go wrong with the support of the excellent chaps on here who tend to regard the impossible as a challenge. Where is he?

Dave W

Last edited by AC/HL; 6th Sep 2016 at 12:16 am. Reason: OT aside edited
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Old 6th Sep 2016, 12:16 am   #19
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. G4EBT... David ..My location came up as Beverley on here but I am actually in Willerby E. Yorks and I can look out on my window over the fields to Cottingham so not far from you at all. I take what you say about being in at the deep end but the basic checking /replacement of transformers capacitors etc, rewiring / soldering is definitely within my husbands expertise. Is the complexity of these 30's sets in the setting up, once everything is proven to be serviceable? If so we will definitely need help but I always wanted a 30's radi like my dad had, so not really interested in a 50's one to restore. He tells me it definitely has a loudspeaker with a permanent magnet, so that's one complexity/potential failure sorted out. David ...did you even know our dear friend Les Miles who sadly passed away a few years back or an old friend Jim Lake? Both were (are) keen amateur radio guys in this area.

Fantastic responses to a new member. Just need to gee my husband into action now !

My husband (Ash) is going to strip out the chassis and assess the condition, test what he can and I will post his findings on here with more pictures of the internals.
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Old 6th Sep 2016, 12:22 am   #20
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Default Re: Hi From Cathy Lissen/Eveready Kenilworth??

Lots of photos, clear descriptions (doesn't have to be technical language, we've been there ourselves) and take it one step at a time. Many of us find the cabinet the hardest part, and yours looks excellent.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cathy_vintage View Post
Is the complexity of these 30's sets in the setting up, once everything is proven to be serviceable?
As long as you don't disturb any of the tuning components, including the ones in the silver cans, you stand a good chance of avoiding problems here.

Last edited by AC/HL; 6th Sep 2016 at 12:28 am. Reason: Sentence added
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