W.T.B. air chief radio power supply unit

[pbh0069]

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everybody  ;D ;D ;D ;D   

i have aquired a air chief radio for the FE without the power supply unit. Does anybody have a spare amplifier/power/ assembly they would consider selling  ??? ??? ???

cheers Phil.

[snuff69]

I think I might have what you need Phil. Don't know if it works or not but you can have it for free if you want it. Might cost a few bob to post though it is heavy.  Dave

[pbh0069]

Hi Dave   PM sent

[pbh0069]

Still looking for a power unit if anyone has one for sale cheers Phil

[ACE]

Do you have a pic of the part you need?

[pbh0069]

sorry no photos , only know it shits on top of the radio housing and has a round five pin plug that plugs into the radio.

cheers Phil.

[Dr_Terry]

Yeah, that's called the vibrator. It's shaped like a tin can & plugs in like a glass style radio valve. Check with some of the vintage radio repairers. I remember seeing a modern solid state replacement unit several years ago. I'm not sure if these are still readily available.

Dr Terry

[pbh0069]

Thanks for the reply.

cheers Phil.

[pbh0069]

from what i was able to find out , yes the unit does have a vibrator in it and it but it also contains the amplifier as well.
the radio needs the extra power from the amplifier to make it operational.

cheers Phil. ???

[Ken's 57]

Phil have you tried Nostalgic Wireless in Melbourne? He's done a couple of radios for me in the past including the one out of my FE. I called in to his shop to collect it and noticed he had a lot of spare parts as well as  radios. Might be worth a call. Last number I had for the business was 03 9499 2495.
Cheers, Ken

[pbh0069]

Thanks Ken
Im at work until 9 so will give them a ring monday

[KFH]

Phil.  Is WTB the model of the radio?  It should have 3 letters stamped on the on the side or rear of the chassis somewhere. I serviced a radio that sounds similar to your description about 18 months ago.  The plug in unit you require is probably a hybred unit with a transistorised output stage that plugs into the main frame with a 5 pin plug. It does nor have a vibrator. The valves in the main frame run from 12 volts only.  If you can get the model I can check the service manuals to confirm my thoughts.  If I am correct the radio you have is from an FC.

Keith

[pbh0069]

Hi Keith

The radio has stamped on the bottom    HJL010138

Its a NON pushbutton model thats why i assumed its a FE.

cheers Phil.

[ardiesse]

Phil,

HJL?  I've found the service bulletin for it.  (Sorry Keith, but I've upstaged you.)

The service bulletin's dated October 1958.

The radio is a 12-V hybrid unit, and has no vibrator.  As Keith says, the valves operate from 12 volts, and there are two transistors as well - the audio driver and output.  The radio is a single unit, and the socket (4 pins, by the way) takes a plug for the speaker.

I'd recommend trying to find a 15-ohm speaker for the radio, if you can.

Rob

[pbh0069]

Thanks for all the info

once again a wealth of knowledge on this site.

cheers Phil.  ;D

[KFH]

Rob/Phil  That's OK Rob  Saved me the time going through my Astor files.  A 15 ohm speaker is essential for the unit.  Even with an 8 ohm speaker there is a good chance of cooking up the output transistor. My understanding is that model with or without push button tuning is the correct model for the FC.

Keith

[ekute]

Could you use 2 x 8ohm speakers in series to give 16ohms? 15ohm speakers could be hard to come by?


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[pbh0069]

Thanks for everyones input and info , have now found almost everything i need and the unit is now working.

However i am still looking for a station dial lens if anyone has a spare they would like to sell.

cheers Phil. ???

[DJ]

Assuming it's what you need, here's a new one on eBay .....
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VINTAGE-MINT-NOS-FC-HOLDEN-AIR-CHIEF-RADIO-STATION-DIAL-LENS-NASCO-NEW-OLD-STOCK/222773706105?hash=item33de58fd79:g:iYAAAOSw3fZaRVYU

[KFH]

Yes you can use 2 x 8 ohm in series to obtain 16 ohms although the more modern speakers are not quite as sensitive as the older ones.  This means that you require to drive them with a bit more power to obtain the same volume. I have seen some people putting a resistor in series with the speaker to obtain 15 ohms.  This will work but you are dissipating a lot of power into the resistor with only some going to the speaker.  I have used a few 27 ohm speakers that I had in stock when a 15 ohm one was required. Theoretically the power out will be a little less.  I have checked and could not hear any difference between the two impedance's.  There is/was a chap in Qld on Ebay who has new 5"x7" 15 ohm speakers with metal adapter plates to suit various model older cars.  I have seen these.  They are excellent quality.

Keith