Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Phantomrose1999 · 2nd May 2021, 10:57 am

Restoring an old PYE record player with AM radio

Looking for a schematic for it pls

Can anyone identify this chassis ? I want a schematic pls ?

Had 5 valves

6X4
6BE6
6U7G
6AV6
6AQ5

Phantomrose1999 · 2nd May 2021, 1:17 pm

I have checked every wax cap. Most of the smaller ones are high. .02 is .15. But none are open or shorted.

Voltage across the main filtered cap is about 235v dc

I can hear some volume of the radio but it’s very low. Barely audible but it’s there.

Would love a schematic.

paulsherwin · 2nd May 2021, 1:25 pm

It's likely to be an Australian model - Pye UK would have used European valve types (normally Mullard). The Aussie electronics industry went its own way in the valve era, and models have little in common with those made by British parent companies for the UK market.

Beware of trying to test old wax capacitors. It's very easy to get misleading readings, as leaks cause them to read high. They're all likely to be leaky after 60 years, even in the Aussie climate.

Phantomrose1999 · 2nd May 2021, 1:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

It's likely to be an Australian model - Pye UK would have used European valve types (normally Mullard). The Aussie electronics industry went its own way in the valve era, and models have little in common with those made by British parent companies for the UK market.

Beware of trying to test old wax capacitors. It's very easy to get misleading readings, as leaks cause them to read high. They're all likely to be leaky after 60 years, even in the Aussie climate.

Yes. This a an Aussie unit. Will be replacing all the black goo filled caps as there is black goo leaking but seems to have solidified, tomorrow.

My quiet Sunday evening project.

None of the schematics seem to have the same valve complement.

Station X · 2nd May 2021, 1:56 pm

Google is an amazing tool!

Could it be this one?

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pye_el_minigram_aml.html

Phantomrose1999 · 2nd May 2021, 2:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Station X

Google is an amazing tool!

Could it be this one?

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pye_el_minigram_aml.html

Good heavens ! That is exactly it ! I even have the strange weight for the record player

I did search for a quite a while but kept aiming up with, I suspect the UK models.

Legend ! Thank you

Station X · 2nd May 2021, 2:13 pm

Good to know I got it right.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/

Is a good first port of call when trying to identify a piece of kit. You can search on the valve line up or look at pictures of models from a specific manufacturer in a specific country.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/m/pye-el_aus_en_1.html

Phantomrose1999 · 2nd May 2021, 3:03 pm

Been a member for ages, just could not find this one.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/grundig_ks460.html

This is mine. Restored end to end. On YouTube. Left in a shipping container and went missing with the other 100++ units after a long Absence.

Phantomrose1999 · 2nd May 2021, 4:12 pm

My local Jaycar only has a 10nf 630v polyester cap.

Will it be ok to use a 10nf instead of the 2nf as shown “8” in the schematic ?

Or put two 10nf 630v in series ? 5 is closer to 2

Is this cap to stop some Hf oscillations ?

paulsherwin · 2nd May 2021, 4:29 pm

It's the tone correction cap. 10nF will probably give too much top cut, but there's no harm in trying it. Even 5nF may be too much.

630V is a bit low for that cap, they're normally 1kV.

Edward Huggins · 3rd May 2021, 1:17 pm

As a guide, your Radiogram uses the BSR "Regent" deck (UK made and exported to Australia) and this would date it to 1952, possibly 1953.

Phantomrose1999 · 11th May 2021, 1:18 pm

Hi, always like to put the end result here.

After changing all the wax caps, no sound. Voltage was 240v instead of about 190v. Had a look around and the output 6AQ5 was not heating up the filament. Ahhaaa

Ordered a new one and the pre amp one. Changed both and no sound. Measured filament voltage at base socket if the 6AQ5 and 6v AC present.

So got a fine screwdriver and closed the female pin holder in all pins of the 6AQ5 and magic ! The valve filament lit up, voltage dropped to 204v, and we have great sound.

https://youtu.be/3jqNkxME9r4

Radio can’t pickup much but I am in a very bad spot. Tried a wire but nothing.

Crystal cartridge is great, can’t wait to try a 78. Motor is very good.

This is a 1951 unit and should be good for another 70 years, long after I am gone. Ha

Thanks for all the help once again

Heatercathodeshort · 12th May 2021, 4:06 pm

Great to see your Australian version. It has the nicer BSR deck. The Collaro in this P32QTG is OK but they suffer from intermediate rubber idler problems. It has the compromise Purple stylus that will play 78 45 and 33 rpm records.
The valve line up in this one is ECH42 EBF80 EL41 and EZ40, all on the B8A base. It dates from 1950. John.

Phantomrose1999 · 14th May 2021, 9:26 am

Your chassis looks quite different, but beautiful.

Mine has a giant IF amp valve, 6U7G, in a metal jacket.

Fixed the radio, the anode cap wire connector broke on the above. So I just soldered the wire onto the top of the valve

Radio now works very well using the internal coil antenna.

Now to find a 78 with sing sing sing on it. Ha

Heatercathodeshort · 14th May 2021, 9:56 am

That is really odd to use the 6U7G, an octal based valve as late as 1953. I can only think that the design was based on UK/US valves maybe for availability in Australia. The B8A based rimlock valves were very popular in Europe. John.

Phantomrose1999 · 14th May 2021, 11:26 am

Can you please tell me what the UFO I’m the middle does ?

Seems to be two parts, each with a felt bottom. The top knob does not even tighten.

Bought a glen Miller 2 album set for $2 from the op shop and it had “in the mood” and other greats. Wow.

Herald1360 · 14th May 2021, 7:41 pm

Some sort of gizmo to enable the player to be carried around with (a) record(s) attached to the turntable to stop them floating about and getting damaged?

Phantomrose1999 · 16th May 2021, 9:00 am

Ahhh. That could well be its purpose. It’s definitely meant to hold a record or two in between the bits. Tks

Heatercathodeshort · 16th May 2021, 9:43 am

Clever! I like the secure screw retainer. The records are stored in the lid in my version. A hinged drop down flap hold them in place but it has no provision for the sleeves. Thin paper ones will fit with the tops folded but the edges of the retainer in the lid are curved to fit the record.

This one was given as a Christmas present to a very lucky young lady. I discovered the ticket inside.John.

2nd May 2021, 10:57 am	#1
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. Restoring an old PYE record player with AM radio Looking for a schematic for it pls Can anyone identify this chassis ? I want a schematic pls ? Had 5 valves 6X4 6BE6 6U7G 6AV6 6AQ5 Attached Thumbnails

2nd May 2021, 1:17 pm	#2
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic ? I have checked every wax cap. Most of the smaller ones are high. .02 is .15. But none are open or shorted. Voltage across the main filtered cap is about 235v dc I can hear some volume of the radio but it’s very low. Barely audible but it’s there. Would love a schematic.

2nd May 2021, 1:25 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,928	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic ? It's likely to be an Australian model - Pye UK would have used European valve types (normally Mullard). The Aussie electronics industry went its own way in the valve era, and models have little in common with those made by British parent companies for the UK market. Beware of trying to test old wax capacitors. It's very easy to get misleading readings, as leaks cause them to read high. They're all likely to be leaky after 60 years, even in the Aussie climate.

2nd May 2021, 1:56 pm	#5
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,286	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic ? Google is an amazing tool! Could it be this one? https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pye_el_minigram_aml.html __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

2nd May 2021, 2:13 pm	#7
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,286	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic ? Good to know I got it right. https://www.radiomuseum.org/ Is a good first port of call when trying to identify a piece of kit. You can search on the valve line up or look at pictures of models from a specific manufacturer in a specific country. https://www.radiomuseum.org/m/pye-el_aus_en_1.html __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

2nd May 2021, 3:03 pm	#8
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic ? Been a member for ages, just could not find this one. https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/grundig_ks460.html This is mine. Restored end to end. On YouTube. Left in a shipping container and went missing with the other 100++ units after a long Absence.

2nd May 2021, 4:12 pm	#9
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic ? My local Jaycar only has a 10nf 630v polyester cap. Will it be ok to use a 10nf instead of the 2nf as shown “8” in the schematic ? Or put two 10nf 630v in series ? 5 is closer to 2 Is this cap to stop some Hf oscillations ? Attached Thumbnails

2nd May 2021, 4:29 pm	#10
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,928	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic ? It's the tone correction cap. 10nF will probably give too much top cut, but there's no harm in trying it. Even 5nF may be too much. 630V is a bit low for that cap, they're normally 1kV.

3rd May 2021, 1:17 pm	#11
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,326	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. As a guide, your Radiogram uses the BSR "Regent" deck (UK made and exported to Australia) and this would date it to 1952, possibly 1953. __________________ Edward.

11th May 2021, 1:18 pm	#12
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. Hi, always like to put the end result here. After changing all the wax caps, no sound. Voltage was 240v instead of about 190v. Had a look around and the output 6AQ5 was not heating up the filament. Ahhaaa Ordered a new one and the pre amp one. Changed both and no sound. Measured filament voltage at base socket if the 6AQ5 and 6v AC present. So got a fine screwdriver and closed the female pin holder in all pins of the 6AQ5 and magic ! The valve filament lit up, voltage dropped to 204v, and we have great sound. https://youtu.be/3jqNkxME9r4 Radio can’t pickup much but I am in a very bad spot. Tried a wire but nothing. Crystal cartridge is great, can’t wait to try a 78. Motor is very good. This is a 1951 unit and should be good for another 70 years, long after I am gone. Ha Thanks for all the help once again Attached Thumbnails

12th May 2021, 4:06 pm	#13
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. Great to see your Australian version. It has the nicer BSR deck. The Collaro in this P32QTG is OK but they suffer from intermediate rubber idler problems. It has the compromise Purple stylus that will play 78 45 and 33 rpm records. The valve line up in this one is ECH42 EBF80 EL41 and EZ40, all on the B8A base. It dates from 1950. John. Attached Thumbnails

14th May 2021, 9:26 am	#14
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. Your chassis looks quite different, but beautiful. Mine has a giant IF amp valve, 6U7G, in a metal jacket. Fixed the radio, the anode cap wire connector broke on the above. So I just soldered the wire onto the top of the valve Radio now works very well using the internal coil antenna. Now to find a 78 with sing sing sing on it. Ha Attached Thumbnails

14th May 2021, 9:56 am	#15
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. That is really odd to use the 6U7G, an octal based valve as late as 1953. I can only think that the design was based on UK/US valves maybe for availability in Australia. The B8A based rimlock valves were very popular in Europe. John.

14th May 2021, 11:26 am	#16
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. Can you please tell me what the UFO I’m the middle does ? Seems to be two parts, each with a felt bottom. The top knob does not even tighten. Bought a glen Miller 2 album set for $2 from the op shop and it had “in the mood” and other greats. Wow. Attached Thumbnails

14th May 2021, 7:41 pm	#17
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. Some sort of gizmo to enable the player to be carried around with (a) record(s) attached to the turntable to stop them floating about and getting damaged? __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

16th May 2021, 9:00 am	#18
Phantomrose1999 Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 289	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. Ahhh. That could well be its purpose. It’s definitely meant to hold a record or two in between the bits. Tks

16th May 2021, 9:43 am	#19
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Pye chassis identification schematic? Identified as a Pye Minigram AML. Clever! I like the secure screw retainer. The records are stored in the lid in my version. A hinged drop down flap hold them in place but it has no provision for the sleeves. Thin paper ones will fit with the tops folded but the edges of the retainer in the lid are curved to fit the record. This one was given as a Christmas present to a very lucky young lady. I discovered the ticket inside.John. Attached Thumbnails