Ekco U332 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

geofy · 18th Oct 2010, 4:35 pm

I have been given this EKCO U332, it had been stored for a long time and the person that gave it to me said he had plugged it in and it worked

As it had already been run up I also plugged it in and sure enough it works loud and clear on both wavebands with good sensitivity on its internal ferrite aerial. The switch will need cleaning along with the case which is in good condition otherwise. The inside is dry and dusty and the dropper looks as good as new. The only things missing are the screws holding the back on.

paulsherwin · 18th Oct 2010, 5:16 pm

Check the output valve grid for +ve volts at the very least.

If it seems to work well now, think how much better it'll be without all those 'orrible 'unts

JoshWard · 18th Oct 2010, 5:18 pm

Pretty little set, that's the version I wanted but I saw this later one at an NVCF for £4 and couldn't resist.

The Ferranti equivalent is the U1015.

geofy · 18th Oct 2010, 5:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

Check the output valve grid for +ve volts at the very least.
If it seems to work well now, think how much better it'll be without all those 'orrible 'unts

Yes Paul I will be hunting down any Hunts, the O/P is an UCL82. Gets by on three main valves by using multi types UCH81 UBF89 with EY85 rec.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshWard

Pretty little set, that's the version I wanted but I saw this later one at an NVCF for £4 and couldn't resist.

The Ferranti equivalent is the U1015.

Your set looks very smart Josh and a later one by its more modern appearance, thanks for the Ferranti equivalent tip.

JoshWard · 18th Oct 2010, 5:30 pm

Don't be deceived, there are some cracks in the cabinet sadly although not noticeable when on a shelf surrounded by other sets!

The cabinets and trim were also used in the Ekco A455, Ferranti A1149 and Pye P1113 transistor table sets. I've got the Ekco and Ferranti ones but can't get to them at the moment.

A simple pretty design IMHO.

geofy · 18th Oct 2010, 5:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshWard

Don't be deceived, there are some cracks in the cabinet sadly although not noticeable when on a shelf surrounded by other sets!
A simple pretty design IMHO.

The cracks could be filled, there are plenty of good filler products around. I thought I had seen similar designs with Pye and the like. It is a nice size with a good sized speaker to give it a pleasant sound. The control knobs are similar to my Bush TR90 car radio style portable.

paulsherwin · 18th Oct 2010, 5:49 pm

As this is a fairly late set it may be fitted with ceramic or plastic film caps rather than the dreaded Mouldseals, so you may be lucky.

Boom · 18th Oct 2010, 5:52 pm

That's very interesting. I've never seen an ac/dc set with an extention loudspeaker socket.

JoshWard · 18th Oct 2010, 6:25 pm

Hi Geof, I would fill them and respray the cabinet but the rest is in good condition so it would be a shame to alter it in my opinion. The damage can't be seen so it doesn't bother me.

I seem to recall mine having a few waxies and mouldseals but also one or two ceramic disc caps which stayed. They do sound surprisingly good considering their small number of valves. Shame there's no nice scale lamp (could always fit an LED in I guess....)

geofy · 18th Oct 2010, 6:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

As this is a fairly late set it may be fitted with ceramic or plastic film caps rather than the dreaded Mouldseals, so you may be lucky.

I hope so Paul, it works very well even though it hadn't been switched on for a long time. First job will be to take the back off and give it a clean.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boom

That's very interesting. I've never seen an ac/dc set with an extention loudspeaker socket.

Be interesting to see how this is done Dave, the output transformer secondary must be fully isolated. I will report back my findings, I haven't been able to find a schematic for it so far.

JoshWard · 18th Oct 2010, 6:31 pm

My O/P transformer on the Ferranti had an earth wire fitted to it where it then goes off to the ext L/S socket.

geofy · 18th Oct 2010, 7:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshWard

Hi Geof, I would fill them and respray the cabinet but the rest is in good condition so it would be a shame to alter it in my opinion. The damage can't be seen so it doesn't bother me.

IShame there's no nice scale lamp (could always fit an LED in I guess....)

I like to keep the case as original as possible as well, so if it still looks ok it is best to leave it. I was wondering about the lack of scale lamp as I don't have any technical details of the set. If the extension speaker was earthed on one side in the Ferranti the earth must be to ground the secondary and the frame of the speaker in isolation from the live chassis.

paulsherwin · 18th Oct 2010, 7:43 pm

Most low priced Ekcos of the 1950s don't have a scale lamp.

Herald1360 · 18th Oct 2010, 10:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshWard

My O/P transformer on the Ferranti had an earth wire fitted to it where it then goes off to the ext L/S socket.

If the O/P TX secondary is floating (no negfeedback or chassis connections and one side is taken to mains earth then connecting an external speaker to it should be safe enough. Probably best to have as small a value fuse in the plug as will work the set, too.

geofy · 19th Oct 2010, 9:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

Most low priced Ekcos of the 1950s don't have a scale lamp.

Probably softening people up to portable transistor sets with no panel light. The O/P UCL82 does light up rather alarmingly when first switching on, a panel lamp in the heater chain might have prevented this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herald1360

If the O/P TX secondary is floating (no negfeedback or chassis connections .

As this might have been bought as a second set it does seem a bit pointless having an extension speaker socket, might have been a selling point though. Even the external aerial socket isn't really needed because of the internal ferrite, but buyers of the time needed the reassurance that their long wire of earlier radios would still be usable.

oldticktock · 19th Oct 2010, 10:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by geofy

I haven't been able to find a schematic for it so far.

http://www.service-data.com/section.php/2198/1

If you have RT&S its in 1959-1960 page 73

geofy · 19th Oct 2010, 10:54 am

Thanks, I am not sure if the service data includes the schematic which is the part I really want to see.

oldticktock · 19th Oct 2010, 10:56 am

If you go for the RT&S one that's available, on page two is the full schematic i'm looking at it as we type now ( my book). Pauls link is just showing page one as a teaser

Chris

stitch1 · 19th Oct 2010, 11:24 am

Hi Geof,
I have a blue one, little tatty but it works well. As OTT says there's a schematic in the service data, I used M11515 - Manufacturers Service Data

geofy · 19th Oct 2010, 11:35 am

Thanks Stitch1 you one looks quite good, it has the cloth front instead of the plastic grill. I'll try that number.

18th Oct 2010, 4:35 pm	#1
geofy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,798	Ekco U332 I have been given this EKCO U332, it had been stored for a long time and the person that gave it to me said he had plugged it in and it worked As it had already been run up I also plugged it in and sure enough it works loud and clear on both wavebands with good sensitivity on its internal ferrite aerial. The switch will need cleaning along with the case which is in good condition otherwise. The inside is dry and dusty and the dropper looks as good as new. The only things missing are the screws holding the back on. Attached Thumbnails

18th Oct 2010, 5:16 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,947	Re: Ekco U332 Check the output valve grid for +ve volts at the very least. If it seems to work well now, think how much better it'll be without all those 'orrible 'unts

18th Oct 2010, 5:18 pm	#3
JoshWard Octode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 1,962	Re: Ekco U332 Pretty little set, that's the version I wanted but I saw this later one at an NVCF for £4 and couldn't resist. The Ferranti equivalent is the U1015. Attached Thumbnails

18th Oct 2010, 5:30 pm	#5
JoshWard Octode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 1,962	Re: Ekco U332 Don't be deceived, there are some cracks in the cabinet sadly although not noticeable when on a shelf surrounded by other sets! The cabinets and trim were also used in the Ekco A455, Ferranti A1149 and Pye P1113 transistor table sets. I've got the Ekco and Ferranti ones but can't get to them at the moment. A simple pretty design IMHO.

18th Oct 2010, 5:49 pm	#7
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,947	Re: Ekco U332 As this is a fairly late set it may be fitted with ceramic or plastic film caps rather than the dreaded Mouldseals, so you may be lucky.

18th Oct 2010, 5:52 pm	#8
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	Re: Ekco U332 That's very interesting. I've never seen an ac/dc set with an extention loudspeaker socket.

18th Oct 2010, 6:25 pm	#9
JoshWard Octode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 1,962	Re: Ekco U332 Hi Geof, I would fill them and respray the cabinet but the rest is in good condition so it would be a shame to alter it in my opinion. The damage can't be seen so it doesn't bother me. I seem to recall mine having a few waxies and mouldseals but also one or two ceramic disc caps which stayed. They do sound surprisingly good considering their small number of valves. Shame there's no nice scale lamp (could always fit an LED in I guess....)

18th Oct 2010, 6:31 pm	#11
JoshWard Octode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 1,962	Re: Ekco U332 My O/P transformer on the Ferranti had an earth wire fitted to it where it then goes off to the ext L/S socket.

18th Oct 2010, 7:43 pm	#13
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,947	Re: Ekco U332 Most low priced Ekcos of the 1950s don't have a scale lamp.

19th Oct 2010, 10:54 am	#17
geofy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,798	Re: Ekco U332 Thanks, I am not sure if the service data includes the schematic which is the part I really want to see.

19th Oct 2010, 10:56 am	#18
oldticktock Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Weardale, UK. Posts: 1,981	Re: Ekco U332 If you go for the RT&S one that's available, on page two is the full schematic i'm looking at it as we type now ( my book). Pauls link is just showing page one as a teaser Chris

19th Oct 2010, 11:24 am	#19
stitch1 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 826	Re: Ekco U332 Hi Geof, I have a blue one, little tatty but it works well. As OTT says there's a schematic in the service data, I used M11515 - Manufacturers Service Data Attached Thumbnails

19th Oct 2010, 11:35 am	#20
geofy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,798	Re: Ekco U332 Thanks Stitch1 you one looks quite good, it has the cloth front instead of the plastic grill. I'll try that number.