Swapping Capacitors In A G E Tube Radio One at A Time To See What They Do

We're trying to keep some of the vintage electronics out of the landfill. Many times when something stops working, it can be repaired if someone will simply take the time to attempt to repair it. This channel documents our amateur attemps at repairing vintage electronics we think are cool.
We don't typically restore anything, we're just trying to get them working again. We've found that most of this stuff was well built and with a little help will start doing what it was intended to do.
Radio Repair
Phonograph Repair
Clock Repair
Projector Repair

[@hestheMaster]

Amateur Repair Time is for those who want to learn from Ronnie's mistakes. Hey man, we make them too! GE model 480 from 1956 for the schematic, it's Beitman's R-16 (1956) page 43. Get the right info ,follow safety procedures, and then get cracking. It's broke ,let's fix it , with a "can do" mentality never hurts. Thanks Ronnie. Steve from IL

[@vinylhound43]

I love how you are seeing the improvements with each replacement. Nice job. Another KZbin channel guy who is a master of AA5 radio repair is Seth on the ‘Mister Radio’ KZbin channel. He has electrically restored tons of radios since he was a kid in Tennessee. I’ve learned so much watching his repairs and restorations.

[@buddyhoover57]

Hearing a lot of switch mode power supply noise, which is probably covering the weaker stations.

[@Thomas-yr9ln]

I replaced my first caps when I was 14. They were used capacitors because most 14 year olds don't have money.

[@AmateurRepairTime]

Hey you made do with what you had, nothing wrong with that!

[@phonetape]

I love your "can do" attitude...you make me want to go buy something broken

[@georgegonzalez2476]

One generally applicable rule of thumb-- you will need new electrolytic capacitors and at least the output tube grid coupling capacitor. Then if it plays at all, replace the remaining wax capacitors. That should get like 70% of radios going. oops, I forgot, check and change the power cord, it's likely crumbly and very dangerous.

[@don_cc123]

Absolutely agree, that grid coupling capacitor can destroy your rectifier, your output tube, or even your output transformer if it's leaky! At a minimum, the power supply 'lytics and that coupling cap should be replaced before powering up!

[@mauryfeskanich4523]

Hi Ron, nice job! Just thought I’d share a few quick comments, no disrespect intended at all. Typically, it’s better to do all of the component changes before doing the alignment. The new components will very likely change any alignment of the circuit they are in, and you’ll need to do it at the end anyway. Speaking of alignment, don’t know if you saw it, but the sixth page on the schematic tab over on Radio Museum has the instructions. The nice thing is they give you the best order of adjustments. Last, both the GE and the Zenith radios have loop antennas for AM, and my understanding is that they are directional. Try rotating the radio to see if it will improve any reception. Oh yeah, I’ve always heard those really strong stations referred to as flamethrowers!

[@jrumiano]

Nice work! 👍👍👍 One other thing, you will hear many more stations at night (after sunset).

[@GeorgeZ213]

I was in Portland, Oregon, late 80s. I was able to hear a 1kw am station from north central WA, over 400 MI away, which is almost inpossible to hear more than 50 MI away. I used only an 8ft antenna. Night listening (also called skip reception) is a real thing.

[@watcher818]

Best rule of thumb. replace the filter caps first. You know, the electrolytics, they are most critical. Paper caps can wait for a minute. Slowly power with the new filters like 45 second as a test to make sure you installed correctly. The set just might play. Good. Power down. Replace the other caps a couple at a time, test again. If you foul up and end up with a dead set, you know which ones to check. Randomly replacing the paper caps, all at once may or may not make things better, especially if you have not replaced the main filter caps. Test the resistors in place. Replace those that are > 20% off marked spec. Filters first, then the paper caps, and resistors as necessary. Just a tip learned with over 40+ years in the hobby.

[@carlperkins1452]

I think I'm going to get me some mtn dew right quick. Thanks Ron!

[@boblow2186]

Nice work. 👍.

[@daleburrell6273]

...I'm an enthusiast for vintage transistor radios...

[@AmateurRepairTime]

I've got some of those around, I'll have to make videos of....

[@tomstrum6259]

As you probably aware, that Particular Radio model (With the Rf Amplifier stage & 3rd Variable capacitor section) can be Much more Sensitive to far weak Distant stations Especially during bright Daytime listening....Most common AM desk radios Don't have the all important Rf Amplifier tube Stage & suffer poor Daylight distant station reception as result...

[@andrewblack4100]

Sounds like you might have some electrical interference from halogens lights or transformers. I am enjoying your videos.

[@AmateurRepairTime]

Thank you for watching Andrew!

[@user-yy2zw8yd2h]

i like the way your thought process go's i have pins, juke's and stuff and appreciate your videos keep it up!

[@AmateurRepairTime]

Well thank you for watching!

[@JurassicJenkins]

8:08 Your low end collection looks high end compared to mine 😊

[@tomstrum6259]

It frequently Helps to Unplug as many nearby AC connected Usb battery Chargers, fluorescent Lighting & computer Power supplies as possible for Least static reception....If you're primarily interested in Only 1 radio station, peak all Front end tuner Trimmer capacitors for Loudest audio sound....The IF coil Transformer slugs can be carefully Peakd again for Max volume....the "Best" tuning Adjustments may also bring the station' s Audio & Static up Loudest....Modern homes with Computers, laptops, Battery chargers & some Led light bulbs can Generator a Lot of "Frying" static Noise on the Weakest stations... It helps to Walk around the Home with a Portable AM radio tuned to a Vacent station dial setting Near (Not same Frequency) the Primary station of interest to Identify & Locate radio Static sources...Unplug (Best) or turn Off the offending devices for best radio Reception.....

[@barrymayson2492]

Check the capacitors and change them , they may throw off your diagnosis so you are starting at a disadvantage.

[@TubeRadioRepairRestoration]

The light bulb is dim when you turn it on is because the tube filaments are drawing high current till they conduct thermonic emissions

[@AmateurRepairTime]

Thank you TubeRadioRepairRestoration for watching and your comments!

[@fish3cats]

Replace the caps first, then sort the problem. Bad caps might escalate the problem. It's like trying to diagnose a car transmission problem with four flat tires

[@daleburrell6273]

36:17...that coupling capacitor to the output tube is very critical: if it leaks, and puts a positive voltage on the grid of the output tube- that's BAD news...

[@philsick7600]

You learn by doing!

[@AmateurRepairTime]

Absolutely

[@bentboybbz]

My friend, i see people decide that they are a mechanic and try to fix their brakes, take a second and think about the consequences of them not working, not just to them but everyone around them as well, you can only hurt yourself here it's going to be fine, and a great video, for us anyway 😂

[@timbober1]

I heard the announcer give the temperature in Duluth, for a split second I thought you were getting serious dx action. No not Duluth, Mn. Duluth, Georgia dummy. Still pretty good, is this a re-upload? No matter it was fun watching.

[@Ford1falcon]

Just remember old capacitors turn into resistors. I have seen one new cap bring a set from dead to alive.

[@TubeRadioRepairRestoration]

You need a dim bulb tester, find the schematic online and build it yourself. But you will need incandescent light bulbs of various wattage. My rule of thumb use twice the wattage of the radio

[@bofor3948]

That Variac is great to use alongside an isolation transformer and a dim bulb switch. Looked at your video about the variac and it is an autotransformer type. I don't believe you have isolation from the mains using it. Be careful not to touch the chassis and anything else that is grounded at the same time. Keep one hand in your pocket playing with your change or whatever you have there.

[@myradiovideos]

Is your VRC Clock still flashing 12:00 after 15 years!!! 🙂 Using the Zenith radio to test for local AM stations is something I have not seen done before, but hey what works works!!! 🙂

[@diveron]

The old capacitors do blow up. It is loud as a firecracker. Get an AMP meter on that variac so you can watch the amperage draw.

[@KB1UIF]

Hi, do you have a means to test capacitor leakage in addition to capacitor value. Testing value is only part of the story. Leakage and ESR is also important. ESR not so much on this old tube radio.

[@KB1UIF]

You are hearing a lot of interference from what could be LED lights or some other device that's on your 120v supply. Cheap Chinese wall warts will upset the receive also. An external antenna and ground will help. That radio may have a built-in loop antenna. I'm not sure you connected it up yet.

[@fernandezvonschwephausen1979]

How far did you have to dig to find something that actually worked? Sometimes that is a wasted day for me....Great series by the way.

[@user-ni7tg5fg9k]

pop em boom

[@RodRogers]

Looks to me like you replaced the 1K resistor with a 1.5K......worse than the one you took out! 1K would be brown-black-red. Your replacement is brown-green red. Green is 5, making it a 1.5K. Rod

[@AmateurRepairTime]

That didn't happen Rod

[@Ford1falcon]

.047 is too big for a safety cap these days ! It's usually .01 now.

[@AmateurRepairTime]

Do you mean, if it was designed now that's what it would use or you'd swap it on this old radio? I just put them back how the schematics say until I understand how they work a little better.

[@Heli4772]

Damm i mean i can get over the fact that you didnt replace all capacitors first .. but you didnt powerwash the Damm Thing thats Like piority number one in restore Videos (phun intented)

[@AmateurRepairTime]

You will never see me do a restore video :)

[@don9264]

Too much dialog. Quit telling us you don't know anything and just get to it.

[@AmateurRepairTime]

Don go watch somebody else, hateful people like you aren't welcome here

[@don9264]

@@AmateurRepairTime I wasn't trying to be hateful. I was trying to be helpful. I watch other sites that do radio restoration and they don't spent half of the video telling people how much they don't know. I enjoy watching others learn from their experiences. If you simple tell others that you are attempting to learn from your restorations and get to it, it would be a great video.

[@AmateurRepairTime]

@@don9264 Don you're not going to like my videos, instead of telling me, in a short, rude, way to change, just go find somebody that you like their videos. I can't change a video that's already been recorded, and what I already said in the video. I'm going to keep making the videos exactly how I want them to be, and you're going to keep thinking you know better, so go be rude somewhere else. I don't know you, and when I made a video trying to show you something I enjoy, you had to make a smart remark about how I talk too much. Go watch somebody else who does it better than me, I'm sure you know of many. When the first I hear of you, is "TOO MUCH DIALOGUE, STOP THIS STOP THAT" I have no respect for you, and no desire to further talk with you because of the way you presented yourself. Go argue somewhere else.

[@OddJobFix]

He talks so much because he is a comedian. Shirly you must have had an inkling. ;)