1963 Marconi 4110 Transistor Seven MW/LW portablr - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

howard · 15th Feb 2008, 4:21 pm

Hello again,

Here's an old cheap 'n cheerful transistor set one doesn't see very often. I bought this Marconiphone 4110 at Tonbridge for £3, noone else wanted it as it was still there at 1.00pm. It was filthy dirty and the chrome trim along the top was tarnished but I had a feeling it would come up nice ..... and it did. It didn't work and inside it had 3 x AF117s but the two PCBs and all its labels were just like new so I decided to restore it. It is date stamped 15th July 1963. I obtained the Manufacturer's service sheet (British Radio Corporation Ltd) from Paul Stenning's website.

These sets come apart quite easily, remove two screws on the back, one on the bottom and then the two screws holding on the chrome trim and the entire front, speaker and chassis come out the front with nice long wires still connected to the earphone and aerial sockets on the case. I then cleaned the case with upholstery cleaner and toothbrush and polished the chrome trim with Autosol and it came up mint.

This is an easy set to work on as its two PCBs just lift out of the chassis. The amp was working OK as I could hear its slightly noisy volume pot working, which I then cleaned with some Servisol 10. In an attempt to get it working I then unsoldered all the AF117 screen wires but still nothing but tapping a couple of the transistors resulted in popping noises from the speaker so I knew I was on the right track. So Ron Bryan very kindly fitted three new AF126s and it now works perfectly and no realignment was necessary.

This little radio is absolutely mint, it's very easy to work on but I can't say that it's quality built. But it looks nice, it's very sensitive and sounds jolly good too.

Howard

mickjjo · 15th Feb 2008, 5:07 pm

Another fine transformation in your expert hands Howard!, I was there when you bought that one, It has come up well, not bad for £3

, Well done!

Regards, Mick.

Robert Darwent · 15th Feb 2008, 5:21 pm

Hello Howard,

The word 'mint' is often heard on the forum and is usually understood to mean, as good as can be expected for the age of the set. But in the case of your little Marconi it really does mean, brand new! That chrome work has come up superb, it looks like a piece of modern trim that has just had its protective clear film peeled off of it!

A first class job as always Howard, well done!

howard · 15th Feb 2008, 6:03 pm

Thanks Mick, Robert,

I said the tarnish would polish off, Mick, and it did !

It is mint, even the blue rexine on the edges of the set which one would expect to have rubbed off is absolutely perfect ! Maybe an AF117 failed not long after it was originally bought and it just sat in a loft for 40 odd years.

It sounds very good too.

Howard

geofy · 16th Feb 2008, 2:31 pm

A good find Howard, a very nice looking set, well restored back to working condition like new. It might be an interesting experiment to take off the can of the defective AF117 to see if the transistor works with it removed. I have been meaning to do this with a few I have to see if the transistor is only put out of action by the internal shorts due to the can.

Geof

Steve_P · 16th Feb 2008, 3:20 pm

Warm one up with the iron and try it! It works for me. Kat Monton discovered this a while back. They develop internal shorts due to the metal of the can growing crystals (really!) and this will melt them away and I think coat the inside of the can to stop them growing again.

Another good one, Howard + Ron.

Cheers,

Steve P.

howard · 16th Feb 2008, 3:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_P

Warm one up with the iron and try it! .....Cheers,
Steve P.

Hello,

Actually I did try that with the AF117s in this set but I'm never quite sure how long to leave the iron on the can for .... I did it once before and the can popped off ! Oops !

I if'd and are'd about putting three new AF126s in this set cos they're getting rather expensive now, but I have over 150 x AF12* in stock still and the set is in such good nick that I treated it.

Howard

Steve_P · 16th Feb 2008, 7:52 pm

If the can pops off, put it back on and try it!

Cheers,

Steve P.

Tom_I · 16th Feb 2008, 8:04 pm

No, if the can pops off, remove all the old silicone grease, clean everything up, and re-pot in new silicone grease. Solder the can back together, and it will probably work. I haven't had a failure yet.

Tom

geofy · 17th Feb 2008, 4:12 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom_I

No, if the can pops off, remove all the old silicone grease, clean everything up, and re-pot in new silicone grease. Solder the can back together, and it will probably work. I haven't had a failure yet.

Tom

Or clean it up and put the can back on with Unibond one minute epoxy, this saves it being heated which may damage the junction.

Geof

15th Feb 2008, 4:21 pm	#1
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	1963 Marconiphone 4110 Transistor Seven MW/LW portable Hello again, Here's an old cheap 'n cheerful transistor set one doesn't see very often. I bought this Marconiphone 4110 at Tonbridge for £3, noone else wanted it as it was still there at 1.00pm. It was filthy dirty and the chrome trim along the top was tarnished but I had a feeling it would come up nice ..... and it did. It didn't work and inside it had 3 x AF117s but the two PCBs and all its labels were just like new so I decided to restore it. It is date stamped 15th July 1963. I obtained the Manufacturer's service sheet (British Radio Corporation Ltd) from Paul Stenning's website. These sets come apart quite easily, remove two screws on the back, one on the bottom and then the two screws holding on the chrome trim and the entire front, speaker and chassis come out the front with nice long wires still connected to the earphone and aerial sockets on the case. I then cleaned the case with upholstery cleaner and toothbrush and polished the chrome trim with Autosol and it came up mint. This is an easy set to work on as its two PCBs just lift out of the chassis. The amp was working OK as I could hear its slightly noisy volume pot working, which I then cleaned with some Servisol 10. In an attempt to get it working I then unsoldered all the AF117 screen wires but still nothing but tapping a couple of the transistors resulted in popping noises from the speaker so I knew I was on the right track. So Ron Bryan very kindly fitted three new AF126s and it now works perfectly and no realignment was necessary. This little radio is absolutely mint, it's very easy to work on but I can't say that it's quality built. But it looks nice, it's very sensitive and sounds jolly good too. Howard Attached Thumbnails Last edited by howard; 15th Feb 2008 at 4:47 pm. Reason: wrong pics

15th Feb 2008, 5:07 pm	#2
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: 1963 Marconi 4110 Transistor Seven MW/LW portablr Another fine transformation in your expert hands Howard!, I was there when you bought that one, It has come up well, not bad for £3 , Well done! Regards, Mick.

15th Feb 2008, 5:21 pm	#3
Robert Darwent Heptode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK Posts: 990	Re: 1963 Marconi 4110 Transistor Seven MW/LW portablr Hello Howard, The word 'mint' is often heard on the forum and is usually understood to mean, as good as can be expected for the age of the set. But in the case of your little Marconi it really does mean, brand new! That chrome work has come up superb, it looks like a piece of modern trim that has just had its protective clear film peeled off of it! A first class job as always Howard, well done! __________________ Robert G0UHF www.wavesintheair.co.uk

15th Feb 2008, 6:03 pm	#4
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: 1963 Marconi 4110 Transistor Seven MW/LW portablr Thanks Mick, Robert, I said the tarnish would polish off, Mick, and it did ! It is mint, even the blue rexine on the edges of the set which one would expect to have rubbed off is absolutely perfect ! Maybe an AF117 failed not long after it was originally bought and it just sat in a loft for 40 odd years. It sounds very good too. Howard

16th Feb 2008, 2:31 pm	#5
geofy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,798	Re: 1963 Marconi 4110 Transistor Seven MW/LW portablr A good find Howard, a very nice looking set, well restored back to working condition like new. It might be an interesting experiment to take off the can of the defective AF117 to see if the transistor works with it removed. I have been meaning to do this with a few I have to see if the transistor is only put out of action by the internal shorts due to the can. Geof

16th Feb 2008, 3:20 pm	#6
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: 1963 Marconi 4110 Transistor Seven MW/LW portablr Warm one up with the iron and try it! It works for me. Kat Monton discovered this a while back. They develop internal shorts due to the metal of the can growing crystals (really!) and this will melt them away and I think coat the inside of the can to stop them growing again. Another good one, Howard + Ron. Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

16th Feb 2008, 7:52 pm	#8
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: 1963 Marconi 4110 Transistor Seven MW/LW portablr If the can pops off, put it back on and try it! Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

16th Feb 2008, 8:04 pm	#9
Tom_I Heptode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Herts. UK. Posts: 549	Re: 1963 Marconi 4110 Transistor Seven MW/LW portablr No, if the can pops off, remove all the old silicone grease, clean everything up, and re-pot in new silicone grease. Solder the can back together, and it will probably work. I haven't had a failure yet. Tom