Philips F6X95A Tube Radio Chassis Restoration pt. 1 - This one needs lots of alcohol!

I like variety in my hobby, so after restoring many German tube radios, a Philips presents a few new challenges. The 'anatomy' of the radio's build is different to the 'normal' German radio configurations, and a few design details interest me in this one.
It is a Bi-Ampli model, meaning that it has a true stereo audio chain with separate output transformers and power tubes for each channel. This lends itself perfectly for adding a Bluetooth reception module to it, and that is what is planned here.
The condition of this chassis is horrendous! It is really dirty, so tons of isopropyl alcohol will be needed to bring out the shine again, but the transition should be dramatic.
Lets get started.
Enjoy the video.
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www.patreon.com/mcaldeira
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TimeStamps
00:00 Philips F6X95A Tube Radio Chassis Restoration pt. 1 - This one needs lots of alcohol!
00:12 Introduction.
04:25 How do I select projects?
07:37 A closer look at the radio.
16:44 Quick Output Transformer test.
18:10 Quick Power Transformer test.
21:57 Cleaning the chassis at high speed.
23:33 A look at the cleaned radio.
27:30 Closing.
#tuberadios #antiqueradio #radiorestoration
______HUNDREDS OF OTHER VIDEOS TO CHOOSE FROM_____
DIY TEST GEAR: The title says it all:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZPYf3uca62ietk
RESTORATION BUILDING BLOCKS: A series of videos showing detailed steps used the restoration process of tube equipment:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/banZhXqaad6miKc
HowTo's: Various videos on some simple techniques and projects:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/opjVXn2VeZujibc
See also playlists on some other completed restoration projects.
PHILIPS BX750A:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2m4an-qms-Ua9E
TELEFUNKEN OPUS 2114:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXmyY5Wgjpqpq9k
SABA UW-175-Z 3D:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZTEZZxsZb9_rZY
GRUNDIG 1070:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2WtZp9mm9ybodE
SCHAUB-LORENZ GOLDY 58 type 3020:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/iITFpWqni8qXbZo
BUSH VHF64:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/i16QZ32votCEZ68
GRUNDIG 3060A:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/bamVpH5ofLiMm6c
TELEFUNKEN OPERETTE 8:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3rWcnaDZdKDsNU
GRAETZ SUPER 171W:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5mqXnZ-Zcyko5Y
LOEWE-OPTA MAGNET 3737W:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIS9c31rqLCEo5o
BRAUN ATELIER 3:
kzbin.info/aero/PLy5M_tA9ux7L3k5nPRvrk1aH764QRCTqE
LOEWE-OPTA TRUXA STEREO 4741W:
kzbin.info/aero/PLy5M_tA9ux7KhVk0KqPx0Wkh2KO_5f2fQ
GRAETZ COMEDIA 616:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKjQiGyhaLmqhKc
SABA FREIBURG W2:
kzbin.info/aero/PLy5M_tA9ux7IqvS-LshUGpE1D_WY6mrZe
GRAETZ MUSICA 4R417:
kzbin.info/aero/PLy5M_tA9ux7Ios98E59dWjwc2SRJyxwIn
You may also be interested in ...
CAPACITOR LEAKAGE TESTER:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqHchHioq9-If7s

[@HNXMedia]

Thank you for showing that the cleaning can be done without removing all the parts! Excellent!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@MrPhantomFury]

The inclusion of cleaning footage was very entertaining and satisfying to watch ! Thank you

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@johnburns6422]

You must be the practical and informed electronic engineer on the web , wish i were living near Madeira then i would have my Saba 125 repaired by one who knows what he is doing , but it sleeps all day, keep up the good work .

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thanks John. The 125 is an absolute gem. Look after it well.

[@JacGoudsmit]

Nice to see the face that goes with the voice for a change! And Philips radios always get my special attention because I grew up in the city where this radio was probably built. And this time I won't even have to help translate the controls haha! The "dog bone" capacitors are ceramic and I don't think they go bad.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@p_mouse8676]

Compared to Philips, I absolutely LOVE Erres tube radio's. More because of their design, but also because the old service manuals and schematics are extremely clear and well written. Even incl amount of turn ratio's per transformer etc. Fantastic. Philips also has some stunning designs as well, although in my experience their schematics can sometimes contain quite some errors or just missing parts. One note on "gramophone" pre-amps. Vinyl seems to get more popular again these days. So my approach, is to build in a Bluetooth as well as a RIAA-preamp. Ideally with tubes from the same era. Sometimes with an FM module, or I repurpose the old FM circuit. Some people call these wrong, but I see it as repurposing some old family sentiment, that otherwise would go on the landfill. To bad to waste such pieces of history and art otherwise! Love your videos!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I agree the Erres are spectacular radios. Unusual design in some cases, but very well built. I’ve done lots of Bluetooth additions but not preamps for record players. I’ll have to try it someday.

[@nigelbrockwell6237]

It's cleaned up well. I love the flywheels on tuning, which allow you to quickly move to the opposite ends of the dial. No Longwave on this one, but a nearly complete shortwave band tuning. Looking forward to hearing this radio working.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

me too 😊

[@mattvoce1091]

Thanks for yet another great learning video. Recently worked on a similar Australian designed ( or at least built ) console unit with split twin transformers, and corresponding pre amp and finals. Your video has given me further insight to the design thoughts of former engineering processes. And filled in a few gaps in my understanding of these circuits.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Glad to know it’s helped you.

[@chrisclark6192]

Hello again Manuel. You say how you pick your projects that are of the most interest to you. I think all of your projects are both unique and involving and sometimes can be challenging. With your projects and your presentation, it's easy to see why you've got a lot of subscribers. Looking forward to following your progress with this project. Keep safe and well. Cheers Chris.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thanks Chris. The reason I explained my motivation is that quite a few people have asked what it is I do 😊 My answer is always “whatever challenges me at the time” 😊

[@pd1rwk825]

Very nice video, enjoying your series very much.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@moshezaharia4666]

This is a very nice radio, it should preform very well. The first EF89 is probably an RF amp and this may be why the tuning capacitor has 3 gangs. One of my radios is built quite the same, except it has only one ECC83 and each section feeds it's oun EL84, it also has seperate output transformers (the phonograph and the amp are stereo and it has excellent stereo seperation). Ireally loved this video! since you started showing on your videos It really adds to the videos' the cleaning segment was a very nice touch with amazing results on the go. Well done!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

You’re absolutely right. The EF89 is in fact an RF amp, and has its own tuning capacitor section. This should have pretty good sensory.

[@EngineeringVignettes]

I was thinking those output transformers are pretty small.. then I crossed over the EL84 to it's North American cousin and realized they are essentially being driven by 6BQ5 output tubes in Class-A. Maybe 5W maximum output per channel. I'm guessing the speakers for these will be pretty efficient to get as much out of the tubes as they can. Looking forward to what this rig sounds like. (BTW, I have a Philips radio in my repair lineup, a B3X88U/71 for the North American market so your vids on these units are very helpful) Cheers,

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Yes, it’s probably less than 5W, but it gets loud, really loud.

[@Dutchamp]

Same as for Jac who responded to your video. I'm Dutch too. Philips 100% Dutch build. The reason why Philips looks like the German radio's is in the war, Philips was still making radio's and transmitters for Germany. So they worked together with companies like Grundig and Siemens and may more. Philips is now a company that develops medical electronic instruments only. They stopped with all the other parts of Philips. Shame I find it. But he again a nice video you realy can explain the technical side. I'm still trying to get messurement devices like scope and tone occilator. I got a solder and de-solder station, a Fluke and one hand in a tubeamp or transistor amp. 😏

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@hernancoronel]

So the way to get your services is to leave the stuff outside for a couple of months in a construction site and then send it over to you? LOL, love your work Manuel and thank you for the videos!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

That could work 😊

[@tkcs8872]

Hi Manuel, a lot of Philips tube radios are also German radios. If the serial number on the chassis starts with "W" or "WA" the radio was produced (and in many cases also designed) in Wetzlar, Germany.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

This one doesn’t have those letters though. It has an “X” in the model number, which signified “made in the Netherlands. There is an interesting article on Radiomusuem that explains how these sets were named.

[@wellenjaeger]

I'm always washing the chassis in the bathtub! Before that i'm dismounting critical components. This method i could absolutely recommend you.

[@moshezaharia4666]

Back in the 90' I was servicing TV's for friends and family, these TV's came from heavy smokers houses and I had no choice but wash the main board in the bathtub, since even the latex gloves I used were sticking to the "cirgarette paste" (as Shango066 calls it) tearing the gloves (and the smell was terrible!).

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I can imagine 😊

[@EngineeringVignettes]

@@moshezaharia4666 - And the tar covering the CRT was always a highlight of my cleaning tasks as the junior guy in the repair shop, back in my youth. Yuck.

[@watchyMCFCwatchy]

Hi Manuel, nice to see the face behind the voice. I don't know if you have restored any Telefunken sets before, but some of them have a feature known as KW Lupe. This is pretty much similar to the bandspread on that Philips. You tune on to or near a SW station using the AM knob and then fine tune it with the FM. It's not a gimmick and is quite useful. Here in UK there is not much in the way of SW stations using a standard set. You would need to erect a great big long wire antenna in your back garden.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I’ve come across the UK lupe function a few times. Not sure which radios but it may have been the telefunkens. As for SW, I tried the long wire and then came across the mini-whip. It’s absolutely magic. All my SW testing uses it, and it’s supposed to be only for lower frequencies! You should build one. It’ll surprise you.

[@RapperBC]

My uncle Sam tells a story laying claim to have been a big part of the development and design of the whip antenna for the US military. I've not checked this claim, but it does sound very impressive, and he's certainly no RF-engineering dilettante. If his claim is genuine, you may have him to thank in large part for the miracle of the whip antenna.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I will happily thanks whomever got this idea and put it into practice, because It’s a real miracle.

[@watchyMCFCwatchy]

Do you have a design for the whip antenna? Is it something that could be made at home.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Here is the link to the project site. Follow the links at the bottom where they show the schematic, etc. It’s quite easy to build yourself. dl1dbc.net/SAQ/miniwhip.html

[@paulp2089]

Good to see Caldeira's Cleaning Service hard at work !

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@tubeDude48]

OH Boy! Another great receiver coming to life!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@danielsaturnino5715]

I'm enjoying that the acoustic guitar is coming off and back to the wall :) have you ever thought of adapting an electric toothbrush to do the cleaning work? I know you are the cottton swab warrior but hey, maybe there's an easyer path to glory. Thanks!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Actually been used to get my daughter to sing with me.

[@danielsaturnino5715]

Mr Caldeira, now that's a very good use for an acoustic. Fun times :)

[@paulbennell3313]

Philips always went their own way!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

True.

[@sean-ci3tv]

I like Philps, my AG9016 amp was still working ok all original before I recaped the electroliytics and added a thermister soft start and silicon bridge rectifier

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@randomsteve4288]

A hint regarding safety; at 5:00 it can be seen that the radio uses the Philips typical Roses Metall melting alloy thermal fuse mounted on the transformer. Please DO add a proper value standard 20x5 slow blow fuse. This Roses metal thermal fuse is known to either crack from inrush current fatigue or trip by the time the set is already on fire because it is "ultra ultra ultra slow blow". And dont forget sometimes after tripping not only noobs but also unknowledgeable shops replace it with a wire link or a ring of standard solder that will ofc not melt at 94°C like Roses Metall

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thank you for that. I’ve never trusted these fuses, but in this instance I did not even think about it.

[@waynethompson8416]

A couple of questions... Do you think that you could remove the tarnish by polishing it with some Brasso or some such product? The long thin component that was labeled 22K, are you positive that is not a resistor instead of a capacitor?

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Using brasso could in fact remove the galvanise layer and allow rust to set in. We know that it has prevented rust so far, so no point in messing with that. As for the component in question, it is indeed a cap. I know, it’s weird.

[@shaikhnaeemkarim]

Dear sir, I have the same radio model in India. Kindly share the schematic diagram with me. Wonderful

[@__Dude_]

Isn't it that you dreaded the task of cleaning, a couple projects ago? I remember you pushed the cleaning to the end.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

When it’s really dirty, I don’t mind do much 😊

[@ry491]

Can I ask you what you use to clean the chassis . Seems to remove the dirt very well . I have a similar Philips bi amp table model . Works well but chassis is covered in nicotine . The only caps I replaced were those 2 tar covered ones on the opts . Love your videos . Looking forward to the testing stage on that one ... Best regards ...

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I use isopropyl alcohol. Works very well.

[@mushtaqobaray7529]

Nice Nice Great bath. What percentage of IPA do you use? 99% dries very fast. 60% or so has too much water and does not dry fast. Heard bad for phoenelic valve sockets or Band switches. Kindly advise.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

This one is labelled >99%. Using other alcohol can in fact cause shorts on these tube sockets.

[@jonka1]

I'm concerned about you having the HT smoothing resistors very close to the new electrolytics. The heat from them cannot be good for the caps.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I think the space is enough in this case. we’ll see.

[@mackfisher4487]

Enjoyed your video choreography, the yawning face was a nice touch, the music was neat. Will KZbin allow local musicians to play songs without getting dinged? Don't forget to review the schematic, I'm starting to think I understand German.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I used a royalty music from youtube’s own library, so should be oK. I’ll go through the schematic in the course of the restoration.

[@MrsG7swr]

this is interesting, I have a tesla Echo i am hoping to restore and there was a relationship between Tesla in Czechoslovakia in that the tesla plants were subcontracting for Philips for a while. the Echo was made in Bratislava I also have a tesla Rondo wanting some love but that was made at the plant in Prague

[@electronicsoldandnew]

They should have many similarities

[@shaikhnaeemkarim]

What liquid is used to clean the chasis?

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Isopropyl alcohol

[@shaikhnaeemkarim]

@@electronicsoldandnew Thanks Sir

[@jginsc]

It's hard to imagine what it would cost to manufacture something like this today. The price would be astronomical.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

True. No way it would be commercially viable.

[@erikdenhouter]

Stereo without FM/UKW... Shows exact one of the indecisions of that period. We did not hear about the 1/4 W resistors, did you measure them all ? Would not trust one of them. The ferrite can only be adjusted 45°, just enough to get rid of a dead spot 💢

[@electronicsoldandnew]

The lack of FM in Madeira would not have been missed at that time, because it came in much later over here. I’m still checking components but so far haven’t found any resistors with problems.

[@erikdenhouter]

@@electronicsoldandnew Forgot about the island. Maybe that the resistors show that the radio has not being used a lot then. I saw the same sort in my Philips, and every resistor stressed to the edge was off, going up, and out of specs. 80% or so.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I’ll continue to check, and replace if anywhere near suspicious

[@tiagomadeira838]

Lá se vai o álcool para combater o Covid-19 😁

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Pois :)

[@pd1rwk825]

Philips is not German Its from Eindhoven, in the Netherlands.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

agreed. I don’t do exclusively german radios.

[@alfredneumann4692]

Mustard caps ....... i lought loud.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Yes, fishy 😊

[@erikdenhouter]

That mosterd cap reminds me my very first tube repair. Around 1974 I found a VHF television at the garbage. Plugged it in, and blew my parents fuse. With the only equipment I had, a nice Japanese analogue multimeter, it showed one Ohm between the leads. Kept cutting and re soldering wires until the short went away ... Happened to be exact such mustard cap. I was the youngest in the house, but the first with his own TV 😎

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😃

[@jameslester3861]

I’m an analog man in a digital world.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Many of us are. We need to rebel 😊

[@jdmccorful]

Interesting as well as looking good.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍