Repair of A 1950 Zenith G725 Tube Radio

Here's another one out of the pile of radios given to us by the wife of a gentleman who had to go into a home due to dementia. This is a zenith from 1950 it's an AM/FM set. Let's see what's wrong with it as it's totally dead.

[@dhelton40]

One of my favorite Zeniths. Most of these selenium rectifiers had a voltage drop of about 5-8 volts, so a small (say 10watt) wire wound resistor should do. You can alligator a 25 ohm resistor in series with the new diode, check the B plus and go up if needed.

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

I had one of them radios they have great receve i even did am dx on it very good radio worth recapping etc ⚡📻

[@Rebel9668]

I repaired a similar one several years ago, but mine was a K-725. I used a diode to replace the selenium rectifier but I added a dropping resistor to bring the voltage down to an acceptable level.

[@45AMT]

I might have that model as well. There were 5 different models of this style, in this lot of radios.

[@vicmabus1532]

These are nice sets!

[@erikdenhouter]

The three leg cap has probably a screen around it to ground. You can simply make one yourself with some copper foil and heat shrink tube and a wire coming out. I would not let it in.

[@GeorgeZ213]

Instead of a high power resistor with the silicon diode , what if you used a full wave bridge rectifier? Still might need a resistor, but one with lower watt rating...?

[@AMStationEngineer]

I have 2 H725/7G01Z's about twenty feet from where my carcass is parked; have you run into any bad IF cans or oscillator coils in these close chassis types yet?? One is documented to have belonged to a very famous NBC (radio and TV) announcer, and needs electrolytics+Bumblebees+micamolds swapped/1N4007+current drop resistor(s?)/resistor checks/new TWISTED pair filament chain wiring (S/B pigtail fused), and "fake nomenclature Zenith 1970's safety upgrade (the diode+F/A pigtail fuse+metal film resistor+terminal strip mount)+"Zenith, non-existent P/N 128-9772 Safety Upgrade Installed" sticker, with my Motorola Two Way Comms dealership label underneath). Not to mention a new 'old-style' brown cord installed so some 'warped-arse' doesn't "cut" the damn thing! Good video, BTW; Tim.

[@45AMT]

I haven't ran into issues with these early 50's round dial style Zenith sets with the IF's or coils yet. I have 5 of these total so the jury is still out on that question. But not so far! Take care Tim. I always enjoy reading your comments!

[@AMStationEngineer]

@@45AMT All the best, and thanks!

[@mxslick50]

How much would it cost for you to send one of the other ones to me in Idaho, not serviced, but with a spare selenium rectifier? I'd like to restore it.

[@jamesclark4690]

Hey I had my radio restored same model but my tuning knob now won’t move the dial to the left but has no issues moving the dial to the right it just spins wanted your thoughts I would appreciate it I’m not a radio repair guy lol

[@45AMT]

Dial cord slipping and needs tightened.

[@jamesclark4690]

@@45AMT once it’s tightened is there any recommendations on keeping it from slipping like tuning much slower when using it or anything

[@THOMMGB]

I think you can add some rosin to the cord to help it grab and not slip. I'm going by memory here, so do a little more research.@@jamesclark4690

[@jimharrington9464]

*Promosm* 🌟