Let's go Dutch. Initial look and power-up on this Philips B4X23A restoration - part 1

[@DavidTipton101]

Hi Manuel, these are a nice radios, the better spec models had wooden end caps which look much better than the plastic. The thermal fuse Z1 on mine was missing and I manufactured a new one using Rose metal as Chris mentions below but I think it melts at about 95C to 98C, I still have quite a bit of Rose metal left if you need any (ordered from the Ukraine). I thought the string operated switch was odd, not enough contacts on the main switches I guess.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I remember you rebuilding that switch. Mine is fine for now. When I grow up I want to get the B7X43A model, which is the top of the line for that era. They do come up for sale but are very expensive.

[@chrisclark6192]

Hi Manuel. That is a great radio and they sound really good when working correctly. The cut out link on the power transformer is actually a rose metal link and not normal solder. Rose metal melts at around 80 degrees. Years ago rose metal was used mainly by plumbers when forming bends in pipes. Again thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Cheers Chris.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I’ve read about that link before, but couldn’t remember the details. Thanks

[@johnpettiford4861]

Very good Martin. The way you do the restoration is quite logical.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@renowden2010]

You have done such a good job on that filter cap that it may be a good idea to label it so that future users known that it has been re-stuffed!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

true.

[@greengrayradio1394]

Hi again, Manuel! I restored a radio just like this one some 3 years ago. It had the usual cleaning of switches, and all the tone switches were in bad condition, one broken, (had to glue the switch insulator). The tuning on FM is often called "variometer tuning" with the inductance. Also it had bad EZ80 and output. As we do not have national FM service any longer in Norway (alas) the owner wanted to hook up an external DAB adapter. Yes, that rear-mounted string-operated switch is a "typical Philips contraption" ;)

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Fortunately we still have FM here, so these radios can get some use as it is. However, I will be adding a Bluetooth receiver to this to make it even more useful.

[@beverpix]

GO = grandes ondes (LW) = LG = lange golf. PO = petites ondes (MW) = MG = midden golf. OC = ondes courtes (SW) = KG = korte golf. GO, PO and OC are French, L, M, K (or LG, MG, KG) are in Dutch. So this radio was probably meant for the Dutch, Belgian and French market. I like your vids very much, they help me while getting rid of the c-virus. Keep up the good work. Cheers from Holland!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thank you.

[@beverpix]

@@electronicsoldandnew Excuse me, I now see there are more with the same explanation. You already knew this. 73's!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

No problem. I appreciate it.

[@marcelsnip4222]

This is nice. My parents had exactly the same radio. This where my love for radio began. Interesting to see your progress.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@michvod]

I have the exact same radio. Those 2 tar capacitors are best replaced with 1000-1250V units if you are doing a proper restoration. They can experience very high voltage pulses if something happens with the speakers or the output valve. Otherwise, the mustard capacitors are all 100% fine, as they were perfected by the Philips by then (they are 2nd generation of the Philips poly film caps). I did have a problem with a shorted styroflex cap on my unit, this was caused because the cap was touching the insulation of the wire and it chemically reacted over the 55 years

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I agree with the caps rating, but these are 630V caps so should be OK. When I receive the 1kV caps I may well change them. Good to know about the mustard caps. I hope mine probe OK.👍

[@lenrichardson7349]

I've just inherited one of these. It's working so not going to do much but the insight into it's insides is very interesting and I've picked up a couple of tips already.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@Donno308]

Thank you for a really enjoyable video. I am currently attempting my first restoration of a German radio - a Nordmende Rigoletto 59. I have worked on a number of Philips radios, which are relatively common here in Australia, unlike the German ones. Your comparisons with the way German radios are built are very helpful. I have been using Carl’s capacitors since I started restoring radios about 2 years ago. I was amused to note that yours arrived in less time than it takes in Australia! I am enjoying your channel and I’ll watch the rest of this series through, probably tonight. Cheers

[@electronicsoldandnew]

My pleasure Don. That Rigoletto is a great radio, and very similar to the grundigs that I’ve done on the channel. Actually, you’ll find that most of the german brands are incredibly similar in concept, layout and performance. They also tend to use the same tubes, so it helps. It’s actually serendipitous that you’re commenting here today, because only yesterday I mentioned you and your channel in a new video I working on. I hope you don’t mind - but I’ll understand if you don’t want me to. It’s a Philips 461A that I’ve started on, from 1937, and looks exactly like the 1082 you showed on your channel. I referred to your videos to help me open that thing up, because it’s a nightmare. The three parts to the chassis is a first for me, and I’d have taken ages just to work out how to remove the knobs. Mine is also a bit of a mess, but ironically it actually powered up and was receiving when I first tested it. We’ll see how that goes.

[@Donno308]

@@electronicsoldandnew Hi I'm glad my video was of help to you. That's what it's all about! Of course you're welcome to reference any of my videos in yours. My channel is only small but slowly growing and I need all the exposure I can get. I did notice the similarity between the Grundigs and my Nordmende. I'll watch your Grundig videos next. I'm sure they'll be helpful. Cheers!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thanks. Good luck with the Nordmende. If there’s anything I can help with, feel free to contact me.

[@Donno308]

@@electronicsoldandnew And likewise with your Philips 461A. Cheers.

[@mattvoce1091]

Great video lots of fun watching along after a long week at work very relaxing

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@markpirateuk]

I have the "Bi-Ampli" stereo version, Very nice sound on external input, sadly there is no stereo decoder for FM, these are full of the excellent Philips mustard caps. Mine needed only two replacement caps, even the dial bulbs still work!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@lennartbenschop656]

The switch with the string is used to short out the first 10.7 MHz transformer when you are operating in one of the AM ranges.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@peterhollander6392]

Hi Manuel, that strange pick-up input (6:37) is a Philips 5 pin IEC socket. So you need a Philips 5 pin IEC connector, to connect your stereo pick-up, with a ceramic cartridge.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thanks for that clarification. It’s not one I’m too familiar with.

[@rádiosantigos1958]

Very well explained, brilliant on the schematics. I did restore a BR 246 U (Brazilian made in 1956) and a B 2 K 85 U (Danish made in 1958, I guess) which are less expensive Philips radios, but they have some common characteristics with this model that you are working now, including those black tar capacitors that use to break off. The sound of my restored radios is very good. It is a pity that soon, we will have no more AM radios to hear. Obrigado pelos vídeos.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Yes, unfortunately the normal transmissions are becoming rare. É um prazer 😊

[@jims2222]

I'm looking forward to following your progress with this Philips. Your explanation for decoding the model number was the first time I've heard this and makes perfect sense. Last year I was fortunate to acquire the Philips Bi-Ampli BX998A in amazing condition other than one major flaw - the paint on the dial glass left bottom is flaking off. Haven't begun the restoration yet or found a replacement dial glass but looking forward to that some day. Another great video Manuel, thank you.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thank Jim

[@TacianoPerez]

I'm restoring the same (well, almost the same) model, and I'm eager to learn some tricks from this series. Love these videos!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍 hope this series helps

[@jernejkurincic9050]

Your video made me remember about an old tube radio waiting for the restauration on my shelf, so I went to quickly check on the basics. It's a yougoslavian radio, probably made similar to the german ones. There is not a lot of components under the chassis really and it surely looks quite different than this one. Restoring power section and the audio circuit is going to be pretty straightforward I guess, but I probably don't have the knowledge to repair the RF part if anything is wrong. And it seems not to have any FM. Opposed to your the tuner scale cord is torn. It was quite a luxury peace back then I guess: it has stereo output, inputs for both tape and phono and even switched jack for the external speakers. But under the chassis it's really messy. Rergarding the weird oblong 4-pin plug at the back - I have a Philips "pop" turntable from 1936 and it has the same connector. On my device it's between the tonearm and the preamp and so enabling to plug in an external sound source, eg. a tape recorder or a radio. To use the tonearm it is bridged with a sort of plastic jumper bracket. The only thing I miss in this plug is the ground pin.

[@jernejkurincic9050]

Just checked, it's Philips AG4756W and I've mixed up the manufacture year in my head, it's 1963 ...

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Some of those radios are pretty simple under the chassis, but some … not 😊

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Same year as this one

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

It is a beauty. I wish I could live in that time

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@paulbennell3313]

A promising start. The Philips speakers with octagonal frames are generally pretty good so this radio should give quite a good account of itself. I think the phrase you're looking for is "permeability tuning" on the FM section.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Yes, as I do these videos unscripted, the terms fail me 😊

[@jamesmdeluca]

Greetings: The ferrite antenna has some rotation range and is secured by the clamp below the rod at the top of what appears to be an aluminum electrolytic capacitor.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@michaelmacdonald3408]

David Tipton plays with those wire wound caps have a look he is from Australia close to where i used live in Melbourne before i moved back to NZ.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I know Dave fairly well. I see all his videos and we’ve had a chat or two. He also doesn’t like these trimmers 😊

[@I967]

Beautiful, excellent content, thank you for sharing. This style Philipses come up on the local auction site from time to time. Currently there is a B5X84A. In the last two years there was also a Planoton B4A23A/01 and a B5X23A/74. I always thought these style radios to be the origin (at least here in Europe) of the modern (1970s and later) receiver - the radio itself sits near your record and tape player in a cabinet or shelf together with records or tapes in the most convenient location in your room and you have two full-size, three-way speakers positioned in the ideal listening position, at a location different from the radio itself. At least that's the way I would have used it.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@mikeley156]

Great work! Good call getting rid of those two tar caps. At this level Philips circuitry not as complex, but still chassis is quiet crowded. Radio is a beauty though! Looking forward to next episode. Have fun!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Yes, it is a little crowded in there 😊

[@I967]

There are a lot of similarities in Czechoslovakian Tesla radios. Many of them have Philips heritage, as some of the Tesla factories were Philips before they were nationalized. Some Tesla radios also had the Wood's metal thermal fuse on the transformer. A common case was that the fuse blew for some reason (usually capacitors failing) and the owner just wrapped copper wire around the fuse, closing it shut for good. I have a parts chassis with such an improvement and - as expected - there are blobs of wax under the transformer.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊 The radios of the era were very similar, and wax seems to have been spread around quite liberally 😊

[@turboslag]

This was interesting. I have a BX7, can't provide the rest of the model ref as the radio is hard to get to at the moment! However, it is the bi-ampli model with reverbeo and stereo. The stereo confuses some people, because the radio section has FM, they expect to find stereo radio, not so. Not only was stereo FM not available when the radio was produced, the stereo part refers to playback of external sources, like tape and record decks, because, as bi-ampli suggests, it has a two channel amplifier section. So on radio it can deliver quite high sound levels. My example has been in the family from new, my father originally purchased it. He was a big hi-fi enthusiast so moved on to a proper audio system and gifted the Philips to my Grand mother. When she passed away my father repatriated it so to speak! At one time I worked for Philips service here in the UK and actually took it in one day for a service! One of the older service techs there had an original service manual for it and gifted that to me, he was really interested to see it as there never many of them in this country. I took the opportunity to replace all the valves, a few caps and, as the speakers were actually in stock at Philips in Croydon, I replaced them to! I also realigned it and cleaned it all up. The only thing that didn't work then, as now, is the electrofluroescent backlight panel behind the tuning scale. I would really like to find some way to bring that back to life. Otherwise it still works perfectly and is in extremely good condition, the piano finish on the wood even is still perfect. I almost sold it about 20 years ago but am so glad I didn't as the family history connection and my servicing experience with it are now cherished memories. They really are the pinnacle of the valve radio era.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Those are great radios, being at the top end of the Philips range for the era. Thanks for your input.

[@jean-pierredesoza2340]

Labels are for French (Belgian? ) audience. OC : Ondes Courtes -> SW / PO : Petites Ondes -> MW / GO : Grandes Ondes -> LW / MF : Modulation de fréquence -> FM.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Ahhh … yes, makes sense. Thanks.

[@greggaieck4808]

Your Phillips B4 x 23 A tube shortwave radio Receiver is cool

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@Neraxia]

" We have the selenium rectifier , which is lets see what it is...... EZ80". Dejavu.😁

[@electronicsoldandnew]

brain freeze 😊 It happens

[@josdejong58]

Exact the same model here on my dressoir. Needs a revision. So your vlog helps a lot. Bought the radio for 10 euros

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@kinklesstetrode]

Check HT feed to FM tuner heart. ECC85. FM metal tuning wires get tangled.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@yusynthman]

OC (Ondes Courtes)=Short Waves; OM (Ondes Moyennes)=Medium Waves ; OL (Ondes Longues)=Long Waves

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thanks

[@rádiosantigos1958]

Well, I guess that is the same in Portuguese: Ondas Curtas, Ondas Médias, Ondas Longas...

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@yusynthman]

@@rádiosantigos1958 Yes I guess it is valid for most of the latin based languages, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and French. 😊

[@sanjaykarambelkar2665]

I have a radio quite similar to this one. Model B5CA37A (1964 model). But, without FM. It's in working condition. We exchanged a few emails regarding AM signal reception sometime back. Finding this restoration video bit interesting since my Radio is also similar. 😀

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@grahamfrench7215]

Hi another fantastic video! I am about to start my first radio restoration and this is the model I have chosen to do. On the rear cover are diagrams showing all the different aerial connections. Could you please explain what all the different aerial connections mean? And are they all 300ohm impedance? Thaks

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Have a look at the schematic. Those setups are to allow the internal FM dipole to serve for the AM bands as well. The diagram on the back should make it clear. Normally my AM antenna is a long-wire or miniwhip, but it’s not too critical. For FM you can use a wire or a proper FM antenna.

[@hanske4106]

Good day mr. Caldeira, where I live (Netherlands) these radio's are not expensive (yet) or very rare. At work in a second-hand store I saw lot's of these what I call "bi-ampli-look" radio's. Was this radio sold as new on Madeira? The faceplate shows stations all over Europe, a few times I came across radio's having faceplates with only southern or northern European names. Anyway, I always check these faceplates for unknown station names. Good luck with this Philips! Also your video's on the Grundig Sattelite 2400 were a great joy!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Hi Hans. There are quite a few of these on Madeira, because Philips was a very well represented brand here. However, I bought this one on ebay and it was shipped from Germany. I actually looking for a B7X43A, but when they come in the market they are very expensive. Are those common there?

[@hanske4106]

@@electronicsoldandnew Those top models are rare, but I found one for sale. I will email a link to the website on which it is on offer.

[@rotwang83]

This strange phono plug is also used to get stereo sound from portable Philips record players. The amp in the record player typically with UCL82 will be one channel, the Philips radio will be the second channel. So you can play your new Beatles record in stereo while your parents are not at home 😁

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊 makes sense

[@FrancisoDoncona]

I have one very similar but more dials. And three times the size.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@anthonyxuereb792]

Are those buttons on the left and right for bass and treble? Pardon my ignorance.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Yes. They are different tone settings

[@DerekHerbst747]

All the Philips radios I have done have needed minimal capacitor replacements. They defenitiely had better ones than the German stuff.. The only issue is how tightly packed the chassis is.. not the biggest fun to work on...

[@electronicsoldandnew]

No it’s not. Hopefully very few changes will be needed

[@geirendre]

That's a nice little radio, to bad it's not stereo. But still a fine radio. I see one like this for sale locally as a spares radio for just 10 Euro. Broken dialglass and no speakers, but the rest looks ok. The label on the chassis says "TYPE: B4X23A" just like yours, but then there's another label on the backplate that says "Philips B4X12A" It's a model where the front is plastic, not wood as yours has, and the top is covered in cloth or some fabric stuff. Guess that shows what you said about the different trim levels. Anyways, good luck on your work. It will be fun to see how this turns out. Well, i know it will be just as great as all the others you restore.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Philips had many models that were very similar. Just the trimmings and price changed 😊

[@Dobee1000]

Hi! I have got one of this in an excellent cosmetic and working condition. Do you know what it's worth at the moment?

[@electronicsoldandnew]

No idea. Check closed sales on eBay.

[@elamriti]

hey where can i buy your bluetooth kit ??

[@electronicsoldandnew]

The boards you can order from pcbway, and the module is available all over ebay.

[@elamriti]

@@electronicsoldandnew ah ok so you dont sell a kit

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Afraid not

[@claudio6493]

Hi.. Would be nice to see you repair an iconic Philips portable radio called Antoniette this radio become famous on 60 's a she being part on a Bonds film

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Who knows. One may well come across my bench.

[@clairtone1]

high impedance speakers watch for high voltage at speakers

[@lennartbenschop656]

GO = grandes ondes (longwave),, PO= petites ondes (mediumwave) OC=Ondes Courtes (shortwave) all in French. French/Dutch labels were normal on radios sold in Belgium and Holland. I have excactly the same model, even having the FM range till 108 (there were varieties with FM till 104 and I think even till 100). BTW the EZ80 is a vacuum tube rectifier, not selenium.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊 yes, that was a brain freeze when I was describing the parts.

[@chicodosradios]

esse rádio é bastante porreiro mas agora falta-lhe um capella reverbeo. Já agora estive 3 anos á procura do meu mas encontrei um no olx a 55 euros comprei-o logo. continuação do excelente trabalho que tem muita qualidade

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Lembro-me de um outro comentário seu sobre esse radio. Provocou meu interesse 😊 Continuo a procurar o irmão maior 😊

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

Mine is from 1959................card still attached on the back ( Bi-Ampli ) ............found it on a trash can in the street .......;

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Which street do you live in 😊

[@kevkabluebird1032]

Thats rly a beautiful radio! I like the form factor - fits perfect for a lot of tables and stuff. Regarding design... mayhaps you might stumble across an EAW Undine II 8176EL (the L is important). Its a chassis designed by the Weißensee Academy of Art Berlin back in the old days of socialist east germany :D The "back" of this tube radio is solid wood with white elements and screws to hold it in place. And its big... soo big...

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I looked it up, as I haven’t seen one of those before. Interesting.

[@vicmabus1532]

Mine says Norelco on it.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@shaunsiz.itsbetterbytube2858]

I use alcohol ever time I work on a radio. Doesn't go on the control knobs though .🤪

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Just be careful with the B+ 😊

[@elamriti]

iam restoring the same one yours looks cleaner ! magic eye does not work 470k resistor is dead if iam lucky it wil work again if not than not :P

[@electronicsoldandnew]

We all need a little luck 😊

[@danielsaturnino5715]

Why did you call the ez80 a selenium rectifier? Are you human? :D

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Slip of the tongue :)

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

Buttons are for tone control ......

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@anthonydavies9093]

Left is bass, right is treble. The labels are clefs

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@JacGoudsmit]

Interesting. I've seen many Philips radios (I lived in the home town of Philips so they were everywhere when I was growing up) and this one is a bit odd. It pretends to be stereo but it's not. It's also no bi-ampli (two end tubes per channel, one for low frequencies, one for high), it doesn't have potentiometers for tone control, no adjustable MW antenna... But it does have the Philips record player input and a DIN connector. Weird! Definitely a cheaper model. I've seen Philips radios that look almost like this one with a built in record player, stereo amplifier, reverb springs and full tone controls. The speakers are on the side because Philips figured you would put them in a corner of the room and bounce the sound off the walls. I didn't know there was a system to the tube radio numbers of Philips, I did know they have a lot of hifi equipment where one of the digits is a hint about when it was built.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

This one is definitely not the high end brother 😊 I came across the naming system some time back when I was restoring the other big Philips, which was bi-ample and extremely high end.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

If you need to solder Aluminum then ALUSOL is the solder you want.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@__Dude_]

Oh, a selenium tube! 😂

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊 I’m going to fire the script writer 😊 Oh, wait. I don’t have one 😊 Got to fire myself.

[@__Dude_]

@@electronicsoldandnew Please don't!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@greggaieck4808]

Electronics old an I was born the Same year as you 1963

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

I don't know why you can't use Tung-Sol Space Charge Equivalents for the tubes that are used and use 2x6V (PJ996) for the heater and 6x9V (PP9) batteries for to produce the B+ and get rid of the Mains Wiring and make it much safer and portable.

[@mackfisher4487]

Your experience and tried-and-true process seems to have identified the likely suspects. At least the FM works as you put it the dial cord is in place so knock on wood it won't be too difficult to get the old girl singing again.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Just a spoiler alert: The dial cord is getting stuck 😊 I’m on a roll here. Dial cords are getting their revenge 😊

[@mackfisher4487]

@@electronicsoldandnew That Genius behind (Kiss) radios like the Braun SK2 series no dial cords.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

A blessing 😊