Ekco A320-A - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ekjdm14 · 22nd Feb 2019, 6:26 pm

Hi all, just finished a semi-productive day at the auction. I didn't get the Decca music centre I really wanted but I have at least come away with some goodies including the focus of this post, a c.1957 E.K. Cole Ekco A320-A.

On getting it home & looking closer inside it, I feel like it could be a low-hour set and to my untrained eye I don't spot anything that immediately jumps out as past repairs or reworks, all the valves are Mullard & it's covered in a thick layer of dust all over.

Just having a bite to eat and finding a schematic then will pull the chassis and have a closer look into it. Anyway, here's a few photos of my new toy for your viewing pleasure. If anyone knows more about Ekco products or has thoughts on whether it looks original/untouched inside. I'm almost certain it's not been "got at" so to speak so ought to be a decent project and I love the way it looks.

There was also an earlier Bakelite model with octal valves but I missed that, I prefer the looks of the wood cabinet.

ekjdm14 · 22nd Feb 2019, 6:27 pm

Some more photos, thanks for looking & for any info on the set. Certainly could be a "wicked" sounding radio, just noticed it's serial number is 16666!

Nuvistor · 22nd Feb 2019, 6:46 pm

It appears to be the AC version of the Ferranti U1003, they sound very good when sorted out.

Nanozeugma · 22nd Feb 2019, 6:50 pm

Service Information:
https://www.service-data.com/section.php/1974/1/a320

Viscount · 22nd Feb 2019, 7:40 pm

Hi, this is a picture of my Ekco 8320 radio, which I have just done extensive cabinet work. Lovely sounding set, sounds really nice

ekjdm14 · 23rd Feb 2019, 1:07 pm

Thanks for the replies, I have a copy of the Trader sheet for this I think but if not I'll get it from here to support the site. May even get the Mfr. service sheet anyway to have 2 sources to refer to.

So last night I pulled the chassis and gave everything a quick clean as it was full of dust, gave the o/c power switch a dose of Servisol and worked it on/off till it was working, checked the transformer for shorts and then, not having a variac, grabbed a couple of incandescent bulbs and brought it up on those.

They were only low wattage so didn't get enough power to see if anything but the dial lights worked (they do) & the filaments began to get slightly warm but I saw a definite dip in current draw after 15 seconds so I felt it safe to do a tentative full power-up (with a hand on the plug just in case). a few seconds later & it's pulling in a station on MW, then a pop from under the chassis so I pulled the plug, it was still recieving the station fine though as I killed power.

So I've confirmed that transformers/valves/tuner etc are at least functional to some degree, now to the restoration.

From initial investigation the cap that went bang is a TCC "picopack" 2uF/275v. There's also a few Dubilier electrolytics, a double 50uF can and a Hunt's that I believe I've heard called "black bombs" to definitely replace. (this and the TCC are in photo 4)

What I'm unsure of is the other Hunt's caps which are much more plentiful. (closer pics photo 5) Are these replace on sight items, or should I put these on the "to test" list? Also around the waveband selector some wax-covered flat rectangular caps. (not very clear but in photo 2)
I'll have to go over the schematic now but any advice on which of the caps apart from the electrolytics will be 100% get out of there items is appreciated.

(This is my first piece of valve equipment apart from a Fidelity record player using a UY85 and UL84, although I'm aware of the potential for high voltages and the fact that caps are liable to stay charged when powered down etc and have followed Shango066, Mr Carlson etc for a good while on youtube, but still I have zero practical experience of valve gear apart from replacing one wax cap and an audio output transformer on the Fidelity player).

Thanks, Dan.

Nuvistor · 23rd Feb 2019, 2:21 pm

The white paper Huhts caps in photo #5 I would replace, you could change them one at a time depending on your confidence in your work.
If there is a capacitor across the mains I would change that as well with an X type, if the original goes bang it could damage the on/off switch.
Check the double 50uf for overheating, replace if it does. The electrolytic capacitor in the ratio detector circuit will likely require replacing especially if there is distortion on the VHF/FM band.

Edit, there may be one of those white paper Huhts caps in the FM tuner, if it’s faulty, very likely is, it will affect the performance of the VHF tuner.

AC/HL · 23rd Feb 2019, 2:27 pm

The "Black Bombs" were Wimas (AKA Toffees). Those and Hunts and waxies are all just iterations of paper capacitors, and all have the same problem of leakage, just for different reasons. Chances are that all of them will be leaky to some extent.

Nuvistor · 23rd Feb 2019, 2:40 pm

On the Trader sheet C50 and C52 are metal clad paper, both likely faulty and C52 could damage the EL84, output transformer and more if it is faulty.

It sounds like a lot of work but it’s straight forward and the chassis is easy to work on

MotorBikeLes · 23rd Feb 2019, 8:50 pm

The thin rectangular ones covered in wax should all be OK, and often values critical. Leave unless PROVEN guilty.
Les.

ekjdm14 · 23rd Feb 2019, 10:22 pm

Thank you for the replies, all much appreciated. Now you mention the VHF tuner, it was actually on VHF to begin with and it sounded "deaf" (not even much static) when initially powered on, so switched to MW after a few seconds.

I'll compile a shopping list of caps shortly then to include the electrolytics and the small Hunt's ones as well as the ones for my HMV 2214. C52 is "that" cap right? just had a very quick squizz at the trader sheet and it certainly looked to be on the grid of the output.

So far I've listed the values stated on the trader sheet for all the caps & how many of each, next is to work out what available values will be suitable.

Boater Sam · 24th Feb 2019, 4:40 am

FM will need an aerial to work. Often the FM RF amp and mixer valve, usually a xCC85 depending on the set, yours is probably an ECC85, go low emission.

ekjdm14 · 24th Feb 2019, 1:05 pm

Hi Sam, yes it's an ECC85. A valve tester is something I should add to my kit if I intend to get into valve equipment, will have to see how it performs after replacing the caps.

By the way, when in Cheshire do you moor up near the recycling yard in Middlewich? I had the misfortune to grow up around there and recall a guy named Sam who stayed down that way.

22nd Feb 2019, 6:26 pm	#1
ekjdm14 Banned Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Congleton, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 609	Ekco A320-A Hi all, just finished a semi-productive day at the auction. I didn't get the Decca music centre I really wanted but I have at least come away with some goodies including the focus of this post, a c.1957 E.K. Cole Ekco A320-A. On getting it home & looking closer inside it, I feel like it could be a low-hour set and to my untrained eye I don't spot anything that immediately jumps out as past repairs or reworks, all the valves are Mullard & it's covered in a thick layer of dust all over. Just having a bite to eat and finding a schematic then will pull the chassis and have a closer look into it. Anyway, here's a few photos of my new toy for your viewing pleasure. If anyone knows more about Ekco products or has thoughts on whether it looks original/untouched inside. I'm almost certain it's not been "got at" so to speak so ought to be a decent project and I love the way it looks. There was also an earlier Bakelite model with octal valves but I missed that, I prefer the looks of the wood cabinet. Attached Thumbnails

22nd Feb 2019, 6:27 pm	#2
ekjdm14 Banned Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Congleton, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 609	Re: Ekco A320-A Some more photos, thanks for looking & for any info on the set. Certainly could be a "wicked" sounding radio, just noticed it's serial number is 16666! Attached Thumbnails

22nd Feb 2019, 6:46 pm	#3
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Ekco A320-A It appears to be the AC version of the Ferranti U1003, they sound very good when sorted out. __________________ Frank

22nd Feb 2019, 6:50 pm	#4
Nanozeugma Heptode Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: London, UK. Bury, Lancashire quite regularly :) Posts: 611	Re: Ekco A320-A Service Information: https://www.service-data.com/section.php/1974/1/a320 __________________ Thermionic Emission, warms the cockles of your tubes.

23rd Feb 2019, 1:07 pm	#6
ekjdm14 Banned Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Congleton, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 609	Re: Ekco A320-A Thanks for the replies, I have a copy of the Trader sheet for this I think but if not I'll get it from here to support the site. May even get the Mfr. service sheet anyway to have 2 sources to refer to. So last night I pulled the chassis and gave everything a quick clean as it was full of dust, gave the o/c power switch a dose of Servisol and worked it on/off till it was working, checked the transformer for shorts and then, not having a variac, grabbed a couple of incandescent bulbs and brought it up on those. They were only low wattage so didn't get enough power to see if anything but the dial lights worked (they do) & the filaments began to get slightly warm but I saw a definite dip in current draw after 15 seconds so I felt it safe to do a tentative full power-up (with a hand on the plug just in case). a few seconds later & it's pulling in a station on MW, then a pop from under the chassis so I pulled the plug, it was still recieving the station fine though as I killed power. So I've confirmed that transformers/valves/tuner etc are at least functional to some degree, now to the restoration. From initial investigation the cap that went bang is a TCC "picopack" 2uF/275v. There's also a few Dubilier electrolytics, a double 50uF can and a Hunt's that I believe I've heard called "black bombs" to definitely replace. (this and the TCC are in photo 4) What I'm unsure of is the other Hunt's caps which are much more plentiful. (closer pics photo 5) Are these replace on sight items, or should I put these on the "to test" list? Also around the waveband selector some wax-covered flat rectangular caps. (not very clear but in photo 2) I'll have to go over the schematic now but any advice on which of the caps apart from the electrolytics will be 100% get out of there items is appreciated. (This is my first piece of valve equipment apart from a Fidelity record player using a UY85 and UL84, although I'm aware of the potential for high voltages and the fact that caps are liable to stay charged when powered down etc and have followed Shango066, Mr Carlson etc for a good while on youtube, but still I have zero practical experience of valve gear apart from replacing one wax cap and an audio output transformer on the Fidelity player). Thanks, Dan. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by ekjdm14; 23rd Feb 2019 at 1:25 pm.

22nd Feb 2019, 7:40 pm	#5
Viscount Heptode Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Folkestone, Kent, UK. Posts: 711	Re: Ekco A320-A Hi, this is a picture of my Ekco 8320 radio, which I have just done extensive cabinet work. Lovely sounding set, sounds really nice Attached Thumbnails

23rd Feb 2019, 2:21 pm	#7
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Ekco A320-A The white paper Huhts caps in photo #5 I would replace, you could change them one at a time depending on your confidence in your work. If there is a capacitor across the mains I would change that as well with an X type, if the original goes bang it could damage the on/off switch. Check the double 50uf for overheating, replace if it does. The electrolytic capacitor in the ratio detector circuit will likely require replacing especially if there is distortion on the VHF/FM band. Edit, there may be one of those white paper Huhts caps in the FM tuner, if it’s faulty, very likely is, it will affect the performance of the VHF tuner. __________________ Frank Last edited by Nuvistor; 23rd Feb 2019 at 2:24 pm. Reason: Info about VHF tuner

23rd Feb 2019, 2:27 pm	#8
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Ekco A320-A The "Black Bombs" were Wimas (AKA Toffees). Those and Hunts and waxies are all just iterations of paper capacitors, and all have the same problem of leakage, just for different reasons. Chances are that all of them will be leaky to some extent.

23rd Feb 2019, 2:40 pm	#9
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Ekco A320-A On the Trader sheet C50 and C52 are metal clad paper, both likely faulty and C52 could damage the EL84, output transformer and more if it is faulty. It sounds like a lot of work but it’s straight forward and the chassis is easy to work on __________________ Frank

23rd Feb 2019, 8:50 pm	#10
MotorBikeLes Nonode Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kirk Michael, Isle of Man Posts: 2,350	Re: Ekco A320-A The thin rectangular ones covered in wax should all be OK, and often values critical. Leave unless PROVEN guilty. Les.

23rd Feb 2019, 10:22 pm	#11
ekjdm14 Banned Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Congleton, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 609	Re: Ekco A320-A Thank you for the replies, all much appreciated. Now you mention the VHF tuner, it was actually on VHF to begin with and it sounded "deaf" (not even much static) when initially powered on, so switched to MW after a few seconds. I'll compile a shopping list of caps shortly then to include the electrolytics and the small Hunt's ones as well as the ones for my HMV 2214. C52 is "that" cap right? just had a very quick squizz at the trader sheet and it certainly looked to be on the grid of the output. So far I've listed the values stated on the trader sheet for all the caps & how many of each, next is to work out what available values will be suitable.

24th Feb 2019, 4:40 am	#12
Boater Sam Banned Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. & Winter in the Philippines. Posts: 3,897	Re: Ekco A320-A FM will need an aerial to work. Often the FM RF amp and mixer valve, usually a xCC85 depending on the set, yours is probably an ECC85, go low emission.

24th Feb 2019, 1:05 pm	#13
ekjdm14 Banned Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Congleton, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 609	Re: Ekco A320-A Hi Sam, yes it's an ECC85. A valve tester is something I should add to my kit if I intend to get into valve equipment, will have to see how it performs after replacing the caps. By the way, when in Cheshire do you moor up near the recycling yard in Middlewich? I had the misfortune to grow up around there and recall a guy named Sam who stayed down that way.