Safe use of an old valve radio

joolsmy · Jun 24, 2017

Apologies if I'm posting this question in the wrong forum. I have an old valve radio that has been rewired internally so is basically sound. The problem is it has no provision for a protective earth, the internal chassis is wired to neutral (was live before rewiring!) and it is far from double insulated. The control knobs are on brass rods which obviously protrude from the wooden case, so pose a risk (they are mostly concealed by the bakelite knobs but you could slide a nail file behind them and contact the rods). The grub screws in the bakelite knobs are recessed and have been covered with a non-conducting wax-like substance but a determined poke with a sewing needle would probably break through to contact them.

Given all the above plus the ventilation holes in the back cover, would a permanently wired RCD plug provide sufficient protection?

OH-Gerd · Jul 2, 2017

telectrix said:
i know. can't beat a good pentode for realistic sound. still i suppose semiconductors are OK for justin beaver and little mix. they will always sound crap whatever.

I never came across an ac/dc radio here in Australia. My pride and joy are 2 Grundig and 1 Telefunken radios. All have mains transformers and fuses . The only problem I have, are the final tubes,Ecl86 and Ell80. Never heard ,not even in my local Radio Club , fom anybody ,of equipment catching fire. But I must mention this: When I traveled to Australia by boat ,quite a bit of my gear was soaked in sea water.After washing it in fresh water and drying it ,it worked for quite a while but my plastic vacuum cleaner got warmer and hotter and started to change its shape! It was retired. Never ever did any of my gear catch fire,not even my home made transmitter running at 11oo volts ! Some people must have problems ,or fiddle to much with their apparatuses.

Specialist · Jul 2, 2017

Hi & Welcome to the Forum.
What's the problem with the output valves ?, Do you mean getting hold of them ?

They're still available over here but the prices are crazy, even for used items.

As you, I've never seen or heard of a Vintage radio catching fire. I've seen and heard a few go pop though, when some fool pulls one from Grandma and Grandpa's attic and connects it to raw mains.

OH-Gerd · Jul 2, 2017

Specialist said:
Hi & Welcome to the Forum.
What's the problem with the output valves ?, Do you mean getting hold of them ?

They're still available over here but the prices are crazy, even for used items.

As you, I've never seen or heard of a Vintage radio catching fire. I've seen and heard a few go pop though, when some fool pulls one from Grandma and Grandpa's attic and connects it to raw mains.

Hi Specialist,I found out,the Ell80 can be replaced easily by 2 El95 and I hold 2 in reserve. The Ecl86 is a different story. As the 6 volt version is outrageously expensive I opted for the 12v variety and ordered 3 locally from Melbourne.To my surprise, they came from Malaysia! All three were correctly marked .Testing them revealed : 1 was a 6volt version , 1 was a 12volt version and last, not least,the 3rd had gas . All were advertized NEW OLD STOCK. All 3 looked used.I kept 2 of them and got my money back for the one with gas. So much for the internet,LOL.

Specialist · Jul 2, 2017

OH-Gerd said:
Hi Specialist,I found out,the Ell80 can be replaced easily by 2 El95 and I hold 2 in reserve. The Ecl86 is a different story. As the 6 volt version is outrageously expensive I opted for the 12v variety and ordered 3 locally from Melbourne.To my surprise, they came from Malaysia! All three were correctly marked .Testing them revealed : 1 was a 6volt version , 1 was a 12volt version and last, not least,the 3rd had gas . All were advertized NEW OLD STOCK. All 3 looked used.I kept 2 of them and got my money back for the one with gas. So much for the internet,LOL.

Aah the joys of repairing Vintage kit

, I looked up the ECL 86 on the bay this morning. Quite a few came up, but tested used valves are changing hands at up to £20 - 30 each & new up to £60 - 70 each. Think I'll have to check my stock of NOS valves.
Slightly different subject but do a lot of people still use CB radio in Oz ?

OH-Gerd · Jul 2, 2017

Specialist said:
Aah the joys of repairing Vintage kit , I looked up the ECL 86 on the bay this morning. Quite a few came up, but tested used valves are changing hands at up to £20 - 30 each & new up to £60 - 70 each. Think I'll have to check my stock of NOS valves.
Slightly different subject but do a lot of people still use CB radio in Oz ?

Hi Specialist,I really enjoy this thread. I do not have CB, but I was told , there is a lot of foul language being used. When travelling in the bush you very often find writing on the rear of a caravans : Say Hi, to....on UHF! channel ....There are some channels reserved for emergencies and repeaters. I use Amateur Radi0 as I have a full licence. I actually had to use 2m FM via the Alice Springs Repeater as I had problems with my car ca. 40km west of Alice Springs. Don't know about activities on 27 Mhz. During summer you can cover long distances but it it unreliable. I prefer to use 80m. Thanks heaven for the spellchecker as English is not my first language. Enjoy your summer. Our night temperatures at the moment are 1-2 centigrade , during daytime it goes up to about 12-14. Best regards OH_GERD.