Zenith Trans-Oceanic R600 Part 1: Installing a FILT-R-PAK 60+ Power Supply and Complete Recapping

[@dougkoudelka3089]

After running my H500 for 8 years the original selenium started to drop voltage and I did the Fil-R-Pak as well. Really woke the old girl up!

[@vtradio]

Thank you, Doug.

[@dannyshortwave]

Nice find and great work on the radio. I was looking into that kit for my R600. Thank you for posting. Have a good day.

[@vtradio]

Danny - Glad to hear that the video will possibly help you out. I looked around on KZbin and did not see any videos of the FILT-R-PAK. In the past, I had a friend rebuild these radios for me. Two years ago, I was terrified of such a project. But this is my 3rd radio rebuild. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@HamRadioLady]

That is amazing. Great find and it is wonderful that you got this working.

[@vtradio]

Thank you, Kimberely. Moe to come.

[@harryhall5092]

Put one of these in my H500 and it works great, going to recap, check resistors and then do an alignment.

[@vtradio]

I put one in a H500 as well last year for a local guy. He gave me another H500 as payment. I plan to restore that one too, but it may be a while because I bought so much other stuff recently that needs attention. Paul

[@willowsloughdx]

Regarding your replacement capacitors from Hayseed: how did you determine polarity of these caps before installation?

[@vtradio]

There was only one electrolytic capacitor in kit. That was the only one where polarity mattered. Using the kit from Tom's Old Radio, that capacitor is actually eliminated. I saved that capacitor for future use but have since misplaced it. I showed the video to Tom, and he said to cut out another new capacitor. I told him that I did not see that in the instructions, so he edited them to include that instruction. I later did the same rebuild to another Zenith Trans-Oceanic. When ordered the kit form Hayseed Hamfest, I asked them to leave out the electrolytic capacitor to save me money. They did. Since it looked like I was going to be doing even more of these, I ordered the caps in packs of 25 from Bob's Antique Radio and Electronics. Those extra caps have proven to be very useful. To answer your original question, the negative end of an electrolytic capacitor is marked with an arrow, or some other marking.

[@fixman88]

Does the Filt-R-Pak replace the cap can? I’m asking because I ordered the recap set plus the cap can from Hayseed Hamfest and I ordered the Filt-R-Pack too. I was recently sent a T600 from a friend who found it and it's in excellent physical shape. It still had an old RCA battery and an original Zenith Z-1 battery in it and all of the tubes are Zenith (except for the ballast tube, which was a Sylvania). I have the feeling that it had been sitting somewhere untouched for decades.

[@vtradio]

Yes, the Filt-R-Pak takes the place of the filter capacitor can. It also eliminates the electrolytic capacitor, and probably C40. Not sure which level kit you got for it, but I believe both those caps are eliminated with the either kit. The instructions make mention of this. I've emailed Tom with questions, and he's been very helpful. Congrats on receiving the T600 and batteries in excellent physical shape. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@fixman88]

@@vtradio Thanks. I contacted Hayseed Hamfest and asked them to drop the Cap Can from my order. I ordered the 6+ Level Filt-R-Pak kit.

[@metatechnologist]

From a technical perspective, I'm not sure that all of the smaller caps need replacing because they are not really electrolytic. Mica, polystyrene, film capacitors don't have the same degradation issues.

[@vtradio]

Thank you for the advice.

[@marketingmixture]

Thank you for a very informative video - I’m about to undertake a capacitor change. Thanks Dave G4NOW

[@vtradio]

Dave, Good luck with your recapping of your Zenith!

[@bobwaterfield7222]

Where did you find the capacitor location chart? Could have used that on my Y600

[@vtradio]

Bob, I forget exactly where, but this link looks like the exact thing that I used: bama.edebris.com/manuals/zenith/l600 It's for the L600, but there were very few differences in the 600 line. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@bahramsoroush2228]

Dear Tom , I went ahead and installed the filter Pack with the hope that I get rid of annoying laud statics and can get a nice clear sounds although the radio start to work however not only the static problem was not fixed but also I lost almost all stations in other 6 bands, then I went ahead and changed majority of Capacitors that I received from Heyseed & hamfest that did not solve the problem either, I don't know what else to do any Ideas you have will be welcome, again thanks so much,

[@vtradio]

Did you ever get the loud static out of the Zenith? If you tune it away from computers in the house, it may help. Try outside. Paul

[@spizzed]

Does this Ebay offering take the place of the big can with the multiple caps inside that's a booger to replace?

[@vtradio]

Yes, it does. It also replaces the 50A1 tube, the other electrolytic capacitor, and capacitor C40 which I did not remove until a later video. Tom fixed up the instructions since then to make it clear to remove it. The can capacitor in mine appears to have been changed in the past, so I could have just replaced the burned-out diode, and power resistor, but I wanted to go this route. In the near future, I have a G500 and H500 that I plan to rebuild. I doubt that I will film it though. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@davidmorris-jones210]

Nice work Sir.

[@vtradio]

Thank you, David! 73 Paul AA1SU

[@cubandollbabymunecacubana]

Hello-my dad just left me this radio that i listened to when I was younger, but ti doesn't turn on. I am not sure where you are, but it's a sentimental thing. How can I fix it!!!

[@vtradio]

I'm in Vermont. It's hard to say. It could be the can capacitor, which is common. Also, the selenium rectifier could have failed. Hopefully all the tubes are in there. You can buy the can capacitor from HayseedHamfest.com and solder it in there. You probably don't need to replace all of the other capacitors, like I did. You might want to find a ham radio club in your area and ask them for advice, too. If you have the money, go to eBay and search for item #183283588338. This is the guy that makes the Filt-R-Pak kit that I installed. He will fix it right for you and make it look beautiful! If you want to bypass eBay, his phone is 214-585-0143 and email is [e-mail]. Hope this helps. Good luck. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@bahramsoroush2228]

thank you it was great video, I have similar radio the short wave does not work I should follow your path may be I can make it work , although I am just a beginner .

[@vtradio]

I would say go for it. I was scared to death of working on these radios for several years. But, I recapped a Hallicrafers S-40B a few years ago, and later a S-120. I also watched other videos about recapping old boat anchors. I have finished the radio and will be posting more videos shortly. Thank you for the kind words. Paul AA1SU

[@bahramsoroush2228]

@@vtradio Thank you again, I tried to purchase the capacitors from Hayseed,it seems they don’t sell them without buying the whole kit. May be I get the kit and change the filter as well, Appreciate your encouragement. Bahram

[@mikebracey8832]

Very helpful video. Thanks.

[@vtradio]

Thank you, Mike.

[@adriancressy8363]

Hayseed Hamfest DOES NOT offer the replacement of the POLY caps ONLY. They offer CAN capacitor ONLY or CAN capacitor and POLY's

[@vtradio]

I made an email request for a quote on just the caps w/o the can capacitor. He replied right away. It turned out that I did not need the single electrolytic capacitor. I have since misplaced it. Bummer, because I have other T-Os that would benefit from it. Thanks for your comment. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@adriancressy8363]

@@vtradio I sent the radio to TOMS OLD RADIOS in Texas. He restores these radios and will replace whatever is necessary to repair. TOMS OLD RADIOS is the company that makes the Filt R Pak power supply

[@vtradio]

@@adriancressy8363 Adrian, Great option! I've seen his restorations on eBay. He does wonderful work. Much better than mine.

[@adriancressy8363]

My luck with a similar Zenith model is the dam radio is deaf on all bands. Everyone else has radio luck and their radio works without an antenna..........DAM!!!

[@vtradio]

You may have to go thru it, like I did. These are very old radios. Good Luck. Le me know how you make out. 73 Paul AA1SU

[@bahramsoroush2228]

sorry Paul I mixed up your name with Tom in Heyseed and hamfest,

[@vtradio]

That's okay.