Bush DAC90A plug - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

atreyu1 · 28th Oct 2018, 9:41 pm

Hi all,

First post....

I've just inherited a Bush DAC90A, I knew nothing about it but having had a very quick read up online it seems I've got quite a nice vintage radio.

Now it has the original mains wiring but no plug. Is it OK to wire what is there into a standard 3 pin plug in order to see if it works?

Thanks.

Phil G4SPZ · 29th Oct 2018, 10:13 pm

Do not under any circumstances plug this radio into the mains until it has been serviced by a competent person.

Paul_RK · 29th Oct 2018, 10:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil G4SPZ

Do not under any circumstances plug this radio into the mains until it has been serviced by a competent person.

Agreed. There's a possibility it might work tolerably well as it stands, but even then it wouldn't do so for long as there's one capacitor which is probably leaky and, if it is, the output valve and/or output transformer - much more expensive components - would quickly be damaged. There's also another capacitor in this model which is connected directly across the mains and is likely enough to explode, with a bang and a flash and a mess of hot wax.

Paul

atreyu1 · 29th Oct 2018, 11:55 pm

Thanks guys,

So do I give it to a professional to service?

Do I have a go myself? (are there circuit diagrams online?)

Leave it as an ornament?

Sideband · 30th Oct 2018, 12:38 am

Firstly we have to know your skill level. Firstly do you have a soldering iron, can you solder, do you have a testmeter? (you only need something very basic). Can you read/follow a circuit diagram?

There are lots of threads on here about the DAC90A so it would be wise to do a search and have a read so you know what could be involved. They are a good set to start with since they are not complicated and all the major parts are easily accessible on a tagboard under the chassis. The circuit diagram is available from this site by clicking on the Vintage Radio Service Data button top right of this page.

Paul_RK · 30th Oct 2018, 2:21 am

Most importantly, don't kill yourself. A couple of things that make the DAC90A a more hazardous restoration than some for a beginner are the mains connector - two identical pins, easily reversed - combined with AC/DC design which means that whenever the set is working, and sometimes when it's switched off, the metal chassis will be connected to one side of the mains. You would need to be quite sure that's the right side before ever touching the set's metalwork while power is applied.

If you don't feel like tackling the job yourself, there may be a forum member near you (probably not at least currently a repairer by profession, there aren't very many now) who's able and willing to take it on. As long as your 90A hasn't been connected to mains after a long layoff, it may well not need anything very major replaced. There's no way to bring such a radio fully into line with modern safety standards, but anyone doing the work for you may want to ditch the mains input arrangement in favour of a fixed mains lead. The radio as designed is safe when used as intended, the 'speaker grille is carefully isolated from the mains and there's no easy way of accidentally touching anything that may be live, but you can't be too careful especially if there are children who may have access to the set.

Half a Mullard · 30th Oct 2018, 10:03 am

If you wanted to consider a professional vintage radio specialist you could have a word with Richard Booth:

http://www.pasttimesradio.co.uk/rest...storation.html. (near Doncaster)

No connection etc

These are nice sets and well worth restoring.

As others have said it's best to be careful if you are not confident in your own skills.

Good luck!

Ed_Dinning · 30th Oct 2018, 10:44 pm

Hi Circuit diagram available through the link at the top.
Providing you have the skill level they are an easy set to work on with the cautions about the live chassis borne in mind.

You then have a really good sounding and looking set.

Ed

atreyu1 · 30th Oct 2018, 11:59 pm

Thanks guys. I'm a service engineer on laser's but I'm lacking confidence at tackling this as I've never seen inside a radio let alone a valve one. I should bite the bullet and have a look. Hopefully a few members will be able to point me in the right direction.

28th Oct 2018, 9:41 pm	#1
atreyu1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: York, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3	Bush DAC90A plug Hi all, First post.... I've just inherited a Bush DAC90A, I knew nothing about it but having had a very quick read up online it seems I've got quite a nice vintage radio. Now it has the original mains wiring but no plug. Is it OK to wire what is there into a standard 3 pin plug in order to see if it works? Thanks.

29th Oct 2018, 10:13 pm	#2
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Bush DAC90A plug Do not under any circumstances plug this radio into the mains until it has been serviced by a competent person. __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

29th Oct 2018, 11:55 pm	#4
atreyu1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: York, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3	Re: Bush DAC90A plug Thanks guys, So do I give it to a professional to service? Do I have a go myself? (are there circuit diagrams online?) Leave it as an ornament?

30th Oct 2018, 12:38 am	#5
Sideband Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 7,567	Re: Bush DAC90A plug Firstly we have to know your skill level. Firstly do you have a soldering iron, can you solder, do you have a testmeter? (you only need something very basic). Can you read/follow a circuit diagram? There are lots of threads on here about the DAC90A so it would be wise to do a search and have a read so you know what could be involved. They are a good set to start with since they are not complicated and all the major parts are easily accessible on a tagboard under the chassis. The circuit diagram is available from this site by clicking on the Vintage Radio Service Data button top right of this page. __________________ There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman.....

30th Oct 2018, 2:21 am	#6
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,255	Re: Bush DAC90A plug Most importantly, don't kill yourself. A couple of things that make the DAC90A a more hazardous restoration than some for a beginner are the mains connector - two identical pins, easily reversed - combined with AC/DC design which means that whenever the set is working, and sometimes when it's switched off, the metal chassis will be connected to one side of the mains. You would need to be quite sure that's the right side before ever touching the set's metalwork while power is applied. If you don't feel like tackling the job yourself, there may be a forum member near you (probably not at least currently a repairer by profession, there aren't very many now) who's able and willing to take it on. As long as your 90A hasn't been connected to mains after a long layoff, it may well not need anything very major replaced. There's no way to bring such a radio fully into line with modern safety standards, but anyone doing the work for you may want to ditch the mains input arrangement in favour of a fixed mains lead. The radio as designed is safe when used as intended, the 'speaker grille is carefully isolated from the mains and there's no easy way of accidentally touching anything that may be live, but you can't be too careful especially if there are children who may have access to the set. Last edited by Paul_RK; 30th Oct 2018 at 2:30 am.

30th Oct 2018, 10:03 am	#7
Half a Mullard Hexode Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 354	Re: Bush DAC90A plug If you wanted to consider a professional vintage radio specialist you could have a word with Richard Booth: http://www.pasttimesradio.co.uk/rest...storation.html. (near Doncaster) No connection etc These are nice sets and well worth restoring. As others have said it's best to be careful if you are not confident in your own skills. Good luck! __________________ Howard

30th Oct 2018, 10:44 pm	#8
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: Bush DAC90A plug Hi Circuit diagram available through the link at the top. Providing you have the skill level they are an easy set to work on with the cautions about the live chassis borne in mind. You then have a really good sounding and looking set. Ed

30th Oct 2018, 11:59 pm	#9
atreyu1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: York, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3	Re: Bush DAC90A plug Thanks guys. I'm a service engineer on laser's but I'm lacking confidence at tackling this as I've never seen inside a radio let alone a valve one. I should bite the bullet and have a look. Hopefully a few members will be able to point me in the right direction.