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Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only. |
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7th Mar 2021, 11:59 pm | #1 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,897
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Worst mains lead yet!
I decided today to have a look at a Bush radio I was given a while back. I was in the garage when it arrived and a mate called round with it in the back of his car. He asked if I wanted it as he was going to bin it if not.
He plonked it on a shelf in the garage and there it has stayed until a couple of days ago. I had only briefly looked at the front so when I brought it indoors was the first time I saw the mains lead... It is the thinnest bit of stiff old bell wire I have ever seen! Why someone had fitted that I just don't know! It has been replaced with a suitable length of wire. I have seen some ropey mains leads in my time but this one takes the prize! Rich. |
8th Mar 2021, 12:11 am | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK.
Posts: 5,316
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
It looks like a type of mains lead that was common in the 1950's. Woolworths used to sell it. Single insulated flex like that was I think prohibited when the regulations changed in the 1970's.
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8th Mar 2021, 12:17 am | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,306
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
I've got to admit
I still use a Dansette with this mains lead, and regularly. It's still slack and flexible, and with no sign of distress so never thought to change it and I've never had a problem with it in the several years I've had and used it. Were I to sell or give the player away, then I'd probably change it. |
8th Mar 2021, 12:20 am | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 5,263
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
I acquired a hank of that some time ago, sort of goldish yellow translucent stuff, definitely sold for table lamps/radios etc. These days I use it for connecting extension speakers (vintage ones of course!).
Electrical shops were still selling twisted singles like that for mains use until the late 70's, at least around here. I've seen worse on chinese stuff that's been imported away from the proper channels.
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8th Mar 2021, 1:36 am | #5 |
Dekatron
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Location: Surrey, UK.
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
I recall a lot of that transparent pale amber stuff being around in the past as table light flex, it did have a tendency to darken/go opaque and crumbly brittle sometimes, probably hastened by heat/sunlight but otherwise often OK for years. It does have a certain period charm but I can understand single insulated flex generally being deprecated for mains use.
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8th Mar 2021, 1:53 am | #6 |
Moderator
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Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
I agree, this stuff was sold in Woolworths amongst other places, and was presumably intended for use with table lamps, though I don't remember any instructions to that effect. While it would be unacceptable now, I don't think it's hugely dangerous, and I've certainly seen much worse on old electrical appliances - cable twisted together and covered with 'insulating tape', etc.
As Kevin says, it makes good speaker cable, though I don't think the audiophools would approve. |
8th Mar 2021, 1:56 am | #7 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, USA.
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Quote:
A lot of old radio restorers are buying them for replacement use. Dave, USradcoll1 |
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8th Mar 2021, 3:05 am | #8 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Quote:
I recently salvaged some from a faulty string I chucked out last year, and used it on a Metamec marble clock as it looked original.
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8th Mar 2021, 4:01 am | #9 | |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Quote:
Please correct me if I'm wrong Steve.
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8th Mar 2021, 9:19 am | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
I have had a few sets that have been fitted with this type of wire, usually it was to extend the original lead.
The worst one I came across was a 30's set with a cloth covered rubber lead. it was rock hard & very crunchy & crumbled to dust when flexed. Not sure what model you have, but the original Bush mains lead would have been double insulated brown PVC with the usual black & red wires. Mark |
8th Mar 2021, 11:24 am | #11 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,897
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
I wonder why the original lead was replaced with this though! It wasn't a bodged on add on bit. It went to the switch threaded through the original grip which because the flex is so thin wasn't gripping it at all. This wire is much thinner than the usual twisted flex found on table lamps and fairy lights though and as stiff as solid wire, it can be bent to shape and stays that way!
I have replaced it with a period bit of flex like the original would have been (red and black). I won't be selling the radio so I don't see the old colours being an issue. I have replaced a few caps and given it a clean inside and lubed the tuner indicator that was tight. I now have a radio for my garage (used on a plug in RCD!) It should be ok in the garage as I have a much cherished classic car so it has a central heating radiator in there and the Bush is on a shelf above it. The old bit of wire has been saved from the bin it will be used to tie runner beans in the garden! Should be safe enough for that! |
8th Mar 2021, 12:41 pm | #12 |
Dekatron
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Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Which Bush radio is it? The picture's not very helpful with the details of how the flex enters the chassis- it looks like there may perhaps have been a two pin mains inlet originally in which case a lost original cable may explain the bodgery.
WRT bell wire, I too would have expected solid cores rather than stranded. Their stiffness would help to make a neat job of the bell wire runs, a bit like a miniature version of T&E clipped direct. Is the stiffness in the core or the tired insulation?
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8th Mar 2021, 1:20 pm | #13 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Quote:
Mark |
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8th Mar 2021, 4:30 pm | #14 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,897
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Yep spot on! A Bush AC11.
Strange in that despite having a mains transformer it has 'U series' valves in a series heater circuit... Did they do this to lower the current requirement on the heater circuit thereby being able to use a cheaper / smaller transformer? I cannot take a picture of the set as I would have to get the car out of the garage to get far enough away from the radio to get a picture of it. It's raining at the moment so she stays tucked up in the garage! Rich |
8th Mar 2021, 5:42 pm | #15 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, USA.
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Quote:
BTW, are those valves, "Rimlock" type. I never seen one! Dave, USradcoll1 |
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8th Mar 2021, 6:14 pm | #16 |
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
You may not want to meet one. The base has a small glass pip and springy fingers formed in the skirt of the holder click the valve in place (the 'lock' bit)
But the glass pip is hollow and easily broken by the fingers when you extract a valve that's been in a while. They need a lot of care, and even then.... David
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8th Mar 2021, 6:18 pm | #17 |
Dekatron
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Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Safe as milk that, used properly with chassis grommets and a well connected modern plug.
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8th Mar 2021, 7:44 pm | #18 | ||
Hexode
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Cheshire, UK.
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Quote:
Quote:
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10th Mar 2021, 5:52 pm | #19 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, USA.
Posts: 823
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Quote:
As usual, just my opinion! Dave, usradcoll1 |
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10th Mar 2021, 6:28 pm | #20 | ||
Dekatron
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Re: Worst mains lead yet!
Quote:
Used sensibly it's ok. I mean, the specified metal shrouding used to protect house wiring that's let into a plastered wall will not protect it from a masonry nail being driven in. But it's considered safe. Thicker mains cable is the same, a dog can easily bite through it.
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A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. Last edited by stevehertz; 10th Mar 2021 at 6:50 pm. |
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