Restoring my Philips EL3556 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Jean-Paul · 21st Jul 2018, 5:31 pm

Hello
I have just recovered my father's Philips EL3556.
As many others the belt went to goo and i replaced it with a belt i created from a roll from RS components as advised on this site.
The EL3556 is back to life but there is a lot of noise coming from a kind of flywheel which is acting like a tension controller for the belt.
I removed it and the noise is gone ..
What is the purpose of this part (picture attached) ?
Thanks for your help

Jean-Paul · 22nd Jul 2018, 7:55 pm

I have found what this flywheel was made for : it is used for the fast reverse but is making noise when not in use

Anybody having a copy of the user manual for the EL3556 ?
Is there a possibility to transfert the recordings to a PC using the rear panel connectors ?

ricard · 23rd Jul 2018, 12:05 am

What kind of noise is the idler making? Could be bearing failure or that is simply loose but hard to know unless one has heard it.

It's certainly possible to get a line level output from the rear connectors, the bottom middle one (the one with a valve with only the anode electrode drawn) being the main line level in/output connector. The EL3556 has a transistorized preamp so the output will be compatible with modern equipment although the level might be on the low side.

ben · 23rd Jul 2018, 2:10 pm

So that's where the mech of my N4407 comes from!

That idler is shoved against the left hand spool carrier for fast rewind. In other modes it freewheels If I recall correctly. It should not wobble around. Check its retainer clip. Maybe a drop of oil on its shaft will help.

Also, these mechanisms suffer from hardened grease. If this is the case, that idler might not fully disengage in other modes and this might cause the noise. You would need to partly disassemble and clean/relube the linkages and levers.

21st Jul 2018, 5:31 pm	#1
Jean-Paul Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Lille, France Posts: 2	Restoring my Philips EL3556 Hello I have just recovered my father's Philips EL3556. As many others the belt went to goo and i replaced it with a belt i created from a roll from RS components as advised on this site. The EL3556 is back to life but there is a lot of noise coming from a kind of flywheel which is acting like a tension controller for the belt. I removed it and the noise is gone .. What is the purpose of this part (picture attached) ? Thanks for your help Attached Thumbnails

23rd Jul 2018, 12:05 am	#3
ricard Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lund, Sweden Posts: 1,632	Re: Restoring my Philips EL3556 What kind of noise is the idler making? Could be bearing failure or that is simply loose but hard to know unless one has heard it. It's certainly possible to get a line level output from the rear connectors, the bottom middle one (the one with a valve with only the anode electrode drawn) being the main line level in/output connector. The EL3556 has a transistorized preamp so the output will be compatible with modern equipment although the level might be on the low side.

23rd Jul 2018, 2:10 pm	#4
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Restoring my Philips EL3556 So that's where the mech of my N4407 comes from! That idler is shoved against the left hand spool carrier for fast rewind. In other modes it freewheels If I recall correctly. It should not wobble around. Check its retainer clip. Maybe a drop of oil on its shaft will help. Also, these mechanisms suffer from hardened grease. If this is the case, that idler might not fully disengage in other modes and this might cause the noise. You would need to partly disassemble and clean/relube the linkages and levers. __________________ Regards, Ben.

22nd Jul 2018, 7:55 pm	#2
Jean-Paul Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Lille, France Posts: 2	I have found what this flywheel was made for : it is used for the fast reverse but is making noise when not in use Anybody having a copy of the user manual for the EL3556 ? Is there a possibility to transfert the recordings to a PC using the rear panel connectors ?