Grundig 5019 German radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

osx86apple · 23rd May 2019, 7:08 am

Hello all, I have just purchased a very nice Grundig 5019 but having 220v I put I’m a little worried using our 240v supply which I know can vary anyway! Any advice on stepping down the voltage slightly ?

Thanks

cathoderay57 · 23rd May 2019, 8:25 am

Hello, not sure what your skill level is with vintage electronics as that would determine the best advice for you? If you are competent in soldering and working on high voltage equipment then first off, if this set has not yet been plugged in, then you would be well advised to do the checks set out in Paul Stenning's recommendations here https://www.vintage-radio.com/repair...and-tests.html. If you are not competent to do this sort of work then I recommend you post a request for assistance. There might be a Forum member local to you. Having completed the initial tests then with the set plugged into 240v mains it would be appropriate to measure the heater voltages to the valves. If it measures no more than about 6.5v AC then use the set as-is. If the heater voltage is greater than that then inserting a 100R 10W resistor in series with the mains line-in would be the simplest fix. The resistor will get warm so would need to be situated safely. Hope that helps, cheers, Jerry.

crackle · 23rd May 2019, 9:38 am

The UK standardised mains voltage is now supposed to be 230v, and I believe it is due sometime to be reduced to 220v inline with the EU countries.
Personally I would not worry about it, but you are, you could test the heater voltage as mentioned above just to be sure.

Mike

Station X · 23rd May 2019, 11:06 am

216.2 - 253 VAC.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1.../contents/made
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1...ulation/4/made
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1...ulation/5/made

julie_m · 23rd May 2019, 3:46 pm

If the set has already been used on UK mains, the valves might have "got used to" any over-running of the heaters, and exhibit low emission at the "correct" voltage.

Mr Moose · 23rd May 2019, 5:58 pm

Hello,
You could use a 240V to 20V isolating transformer with the 20V winding in series but antiphase with the mains to buck the mains voltage down to 220V. (see diagram from the internet below)
The current rating of the 20V winding should be greater than the maximum current taken by the set (I would advise at least one and a half to two times the current)
You must connect the 20V winding the right way round as the wrong way will boost the voltage to 260V!. Should you wish to try this check the output voltage before connecting to the set and if it is higher than the mains voltage reverse one of the windings to the transformer and check again.
Yours, Richard

AC/HL · 23rd May 2019, 8:23 pm

What is your local mains voltage. They're all still at their old levels, none have actually been changed in practice, but you may be at the lower end of what was allowable.

23rd May 2019, 7:08 am	#1
osx86apple Pentode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Torquay, Devon, UK. Posts: 148	Grundig 5019 German radio Hello all, I have just purchased a very nice Grundig 5019 but having 220v I put I’m a little worried using our 240v supply which I know can vary anyway! Any advice on stepping down the voltage slightly ? Thanks

23rd May 2019, 8:25 am	#2
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,384	Re: Grundig 5019 German radio Hello, not sure what your skill level is with vintage electronics as that would determine the best advice for you? If you are competent in soldering and working on high voltage equipment then first off, if this set has not yet been plugged in, then you would be well advised to do the checks set out in Paul Stenning's recommendations here https://www.vintage-radio.com/repair...and-tests.html. If you are not competent to do this sort of work then I recommend you post a request for assistance. There might be a Forum member local to you. Having completed the initial tests then with the set plugged into 240v mains it would be appropriate to measure the heater voltages to the valves. If it measures no more than about 6.5v AC then use the set as-is. If the heater voltage is greater than that then inserting a 100R 10W resistor in series with the mains line-in would be the simplest fix. The resistor will get warm so would need to be situated safely. Hope that helps, cheers, Jerry.

23rd May 2019, 9:38 am	#3
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: Grundig 5019 German radio The UK standardised mains voltage is now supposed to be 230v, and I believe it is due sometime to be reduced to 220v inline with the EU countries. Personally I would not worry about it, but you are, you could test the heater voltage as mentioned above just to be sure. Mike Last edited by crackle; 23rd May 2019 at 9:45 am.

23rd May 2019, 11:06 am	#4
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Grundig 5019 German radio 216.2 - 253 VAC. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1.../contents/made http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1...ulation/4/made http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1...ulation/5/made __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

23rd May 2019, 3:46 pm	#5
julie_m Dekatron Join Date: May 2008 Location: Derby, UK. Posts: 7,735	Re: Grundig 5019 German radio If the set has already been used on UK mains, the valves might have "got used to" any over-running of the heaters, and exhibit low emission at the "correct" voltage. __________________ If I have seen further than others, it is because I was standing on a pile of failed experiments.

23rd May 2019, 5:58 pm	#6
Mr Moose Octode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 1,043	Re: Grundig 5019 German radio Hello, You could use a 240V to 20V isolating transformer with the 20V winding in series but antiphase with the mains to buck the mains voltage down to 220V. (see diagram from the internet below) The current rating of the 20V winding should be greater than the maximum current taken by the set (I would advise at least one and a half to two times the current) You must connect the 20V winding the right way round as the wrong way will boost the voltage to 260V!. Should you wish to try this check the output voltage before connecting to the set and if it is higher than the mains voltage reverse one of the windings to the transformer and check again. Yours, Richard Attached Thumbnails

23rd May 2019, 8:23 pm	#7
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Grundig 5019 German radio What is your local mains voltage. They're all still at their old levels, none have actually been changed in practice, but you may be at the lower end of what was allowable.