Grunow - Model 654 | Receiver Assessment Pre Restoration

[@josephmagedanz4070]

Should be a fine series...

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Thank you. Hope to get back to it soon. Best, Don

[@deanschmeltzer9620]

Looking forward to see the next episodes . Have just finished chassis of a model 1191 grunow . Trying to finish the cabinet outside but the weather is an issue. Thanks for all of your videos. Dean

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Dean - great to hear from you. Hope the weather improves soon so you can finish up on your 1191. All the best and thanks for watching. Don

[@hestheMaster]

Built rock solid in it's day. Notice the bias cell in the middle of the chassis. Easily replaced by a Lithium 1.5 Volt battery. Boy that was one dry wet electrolytic can.

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Steve, definitely a solid and very heavy chassis. Hope to get back to it soon. Thanks for following along. Best, Don

[@richardbrobeck2384]

the chassis looks to be in good shape !

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Definitely does. I needed a break after the Simplex, so the timing of this one is perfect. Thanks for following along. Best, Don

[@W1RMD]

Thanks Don! I can't wait to see it shine like a new penny. I have a couple of GIANT soldering irons I bought at a flea market that since using them I hardly use my soldering gun anymore. They must be about 300 watts or greater because they are MUCH hotter than my 250 watt Weller (poor quality) soldering gun, plus you don't have to continuously keep tightening the tips. Not sure if they still make these foot long soldering irons, but they have no problem getting the chassis hot enough to remove ground straps. If you ever see one BUY IT! They are also "period correct" which is kind of cool! I use a metal napkin holder as the base. I hate to see what would happen to my poor carpet if this thing ever fell on the floor! Take care and good luck.

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Ryan - I need to be on the lookout for one of those oldies. I have a high wattage Weller too and tried Mr. Paul Carlson’s approach using some heavy copper wire, but still struggle on this thick metal chassis’ like this Grunow. I don’t think your carpet would stand a chance. Lol Best, Don

[@W1RMD]

@@RestoreOldRadios I JUST yesterday saw two more at a small flea market local to here in Turner Maine at the same flea market I bought mine at 5 years ago. I'm really tight on money right now (unemployed). I've built and sold a couple of electric fiddle amps that I sold on Ebay. I hated parting with those 6L6's as they sound crisp and awesome. I like 6L6's better that 6v6's, not just because of the higher output. Really cool that your radio uses one as the output tube, and an ST style to boot!

[@greggsvintageworkshop8974]

Wow , a much simpler looking set than the Grunow I finished early this year. Very cool with the old matching date service labels on the tubes. Looks like it will clean up and perform beautifully Don.

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Thank you Gregg, hopefully no surprises on the horizon. All the best. Don

[@saturn5tony]

I've been into electronics most all of my life, not really much old radio repair but everything post tubes. Ive never heard of a bias cell before but after some googling found a cool description of it. Very cool battery system for those old grids! Thanks for sharing Don! Btw love that dials greenish display, man thats cool! 😊

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Thank you Tony. The green dial is eye popping for sure. It was a fun restore and using the solar cell to replace the Bias Cell was my first. Best, Don

[@DERB_Seymour_Indiana]

Hi Don. Looks like you are off to a wonderful start once again. Yet another old radio to restore. I wish you much success, but with your track record on these I think you will do just fine. :)

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Thank you Doug. It looks like a non-eventful project, but you never know what’s around the corner. Lol Best, Don

[@chetpomeroy1399]

Fascinating video, and a beautiful set! I suspect the manufacturer may have used radium in the paint on that dial, as it appears to me to have that characteristic faint, greenish glow. It seems the restoration should be fairly straightforward, with not much in the way of surprises as it likely spent most of its life in a dry, sheltered environment.

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Chet - thank you and I appreciate the info on the green dial. When I get the glass cover off, I’ll capture more photos of the dial to get your thoughts. It does look like the receiver was spared from a barn and overall it’s in great shape. Thanks for watching and following along. Best, Don

[@oldavguywholovesRCA]

Greetings Don! Always interesting videos from you. Take care!

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Thank you. How is wife doing following her cancer treatment? Best, Don

[@oldavguywholovesRCA]

@@RestoreOldRadios Shes doing pretty good, this Chemo that she's taking is really bad stuff and it's rough on her.

[@RestoreOldRadios]

@@oldavguywholovesRCA Praying the treatments will continue to be successful. All the best to you and your family. Don

[@tectalabyss]

Hi my friend. I see it has one of those Biasing cells. I have heard of people fixing them. I have never had any luck doing it. Do you have a work around for them ? This will be another Outstanding restore I am sure. As always I liked and shared. All my very best to you and yours.

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Definitely the Bias Cell will be replaced or I’ll re-engineer the circuit Bobby. Thank you again for watching, sharing and your kind words. Best, Don

[@KillerToast-xy7sc]

Hi! I recently found one of these radios same model and all, your video is the only thing I’ve found on it. Do you know the value for one of these? Mine turns on and makes crackle type noises when I tune but I have no idea how to use it. I would like to sell it but like I said I can’t find anything on it and none are listed. If you can offer any information I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks so much. ❤

[@RestoreOldRadios]

Here’s one (below) that sold in working condition. Hope this helps. Best, Don radioattic.com/item.htm?radio=0260770