1930's Portadyne type A52 Radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

MurphyNut · 11th May 2016, 12:13 pm

I suppose this is a "halfway" success story.
I won this on Ebay about 3 years ago; luckily nobody else was interested in it and a bonus it was within driving distance from home, so I got it very cheap for not much effort.
I'm unable to find much about the set on the internet but it looks to date from the mid-1930's, if anyone knows anything I’d appreciate any info. There is a totally destroyed valve and I haven’t got a clue what it is for starters!
The cabinet had to be totally stripped and re-varnished the tuning scale was so dirty it could hardly be read. Also the variable resistor had slumped badly and the cursor not moving properly. This was due to perished rubber grommets. I replaced all 15 of them and it lines up nicely and moves perfectly.
So work in progress, certainly a radio worth saving. I think it looks slightly American in it's styling, hopefully at some stage I'll get it working.
Some before and after pictures-

mark pirate · 11th May 2016, 12:49 pm

The cabinet certainly looks smart now, I think it is a rather nice looking set.
The electronics should be pretty straightforward, even without a circuit diagram.
I would agree with your estimate of mid 30's, possibly model J/AC?
What is the valve lineup?

Mark

ukcol · 11th May 2016, 12:51 pm

That looks a nice set. Perhaps you could give us a list of the valves that you can identify with a view to finding a similar Portadyne chassis and service data?

Post crossed with Mark's.

MurphyNut · 11th May 2016, 1:16 pm

It does look quite a basic set, it's a 5 valve set up.
U14 and the other 3 gold ones are DDT4, VP4B and FC4.

mark pirate · 11th May 2016, 1:27 pm

Quote:

U14 and the other 3 gold ones are DDT4, VP4B and FC4.

I think you mean TDD4, the valve lineup is the same as the J/AC superhet.
The broken output valve should be a 42MP-PEN, the original rectifier would have been a IW3.

Mark

MurphyNut · 11th May 2016, 1:33 pm

Thanks for that Mark, made a note of it and put it in the case for when I get around to fixing it.

ukcol · 11th May 2016, 2:16 pm

Looks like Mark is on to something. The J/AC chassis layout is strikingly similar to your set with V4,V5 and C17/18 in slightly different positions. See snip from Trader sheet below.

AC/HL · 11th May 2016, 9:58 pm

The unusual fishing reel aerial is also a feature of the J/AC.

11th May 2016, 12:13 pm	#1
MurphyNut Heptode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 979	1930's Portadyne type A52 Radio I suppose this is a "halfway" success story. I won this on Ebay about 3 years ago; luckily nobody else was interested in it and a bonus it was within driving distance from home, so I got it very cheap for not much effort. I'm unable to find much about the set on the internet but it looks to date from the mid-1930's, if anyone knows anything I’d appreciate any info. There is a totally destroyed valve and I haven’t got a clue what it is for starters! The cabinet had to be totally stripped and re-varnished the tuning scale was so dirty it could hardly be read. Also the variable resistor had slumped badly and the cursor not moving properly. This was due to perished rubber grommets. I replaced all 15 of them and it lines up nicely and moves perfectly. So work in progress, certainly a radio worth saving. I think it looks slightly American in it's styling, hopefully at some stage I'll get it working. Some before and after pictures- Attached Thumbnails Last edited by MurphyNut; 11th May 2016 at 12:22 pm.

11th May 2016, 12:49 pm	#2
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: 1930's Portadyne type A52 Radio The cabinet certainly looks smart now, I think it is a rather nice looking set. The electronics should be pretty straightforward, even without a circuit diagram. I would agree with your estimate of mid 30's, possibly model J/AC? What is the valve lineup? Mark

11th May 2016, 12:51 pm	#3
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: 1930's Portadyne type A52 Radio That looks a nice set. Perhaps you could give us a list of the valves that you can identify with a view to finding a similar Portadyne chassis and service data? Post crossed with Mark's. Last edited by ukcol; 11th May 2016 at 12:53 pm. Reason: crossed post.

11th May 2016, 1:16 pm	#4
MurphyNut Heptode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 979	Re: 1930's Portadyne type A52 Radio It does look quite a basic set, it's a 5 valve set up. U14 and the other 3 gold ones are DDT4, VP4B and FC4.

11th May 2016, 1:33 pm	#6
MurphyNut Heptode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 979	Re: 1930's Portadyne type A52 Radio Thanks for that Mark, made a note of it and put it in the case for when I get around to fixing it.

11th May 2016, 2:16 pm	#7
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: 1930's Portadyne type A52 Radio Looks like Mark is on to something. The J/AC chassis layout is strikingly similar to your set with V4,V5 and C17/18 in slightly different positions. See snip from Trader sheet below. Attached Thumbnails

11th May 2016, 9:58 pm	#8
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: 1930's Portadyne type A52 Radio The unusual fishing reel aerial is also a feature of the J/AC.