Welcome Guest! Be sure you know and follow the Phorum Rules before posting. Thank you and Enjoy! (January 12) x

Thread Closed
Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

38-38 conversion to AC?
#1

I recently acquired a Philco 38-38 at an auction. It is almost in perfect shape. Is it possible to convert this to run on AC? If so where can this be done?
Thanks in advanced
Greg
#2

I just got a 38 38t I think I Will convert mine to ac using the circuit for a 38 23t.

vinzer
#3

Geez I thought I had a lot of time on my hands.
Think it would be simpler to build a p/s to emulate the batteries. Well at least for the hv and filament supply the bias batteries would last a very long time.
Or you may want to consider building a battery pack that would power it. In this you can eliminate all of the interference from the ac mains. I have 39-80 (battery farm set) it plays quite well from batteries. Like supersized transistor radio.
The 1938 model use the older 2v tubes so a resistor in series is in order to drop 3v worth of battery power down to two. The '39 models use 1.5v tubes so D cell work fine.

When my pals were reading comic books
I was down in the basement in my dad's
workshop. Perusing his Sam's Photofoacts
Vol 1-50 admiring the old set and trying to
figure out what all those squiggly meant.
Circa 1966
Now I think I've got!

Terry
#4

I built one for another battery radio but it  had room for batteries so I put it inside the radio but cannot do that on this one has no room for it . does  look to hard to change to ac.

Vinzer
#5

I did that exact same thing a couple of years ago. Find a suitable power transformer and use schematic for model 38-9.
#6

I think I will use a 38 23 schematic no power transformer needed

Vinzer
#7

I did it now what do I call its not a 38-38 any more no quite a 38-23?
#8

38-38 Renegade?

People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
#9

Sounds good to me.
#10

Well I got to feeling bad about making a Franken Philco still had original parts changed it back to original and made a power supply.
#11

That was probably the smart move, in my opinion, I've seen a few attempts where someone tried to convert a battery operated tube set into an AC set, with AC tubes, and they never seemed to produce a functional set afterward, they seem to get just so far, and then loose the handle. On the other hand I have seen a number of sets where someone retained the original battery tubes, and circuits, and constructed either an outboard power supply/battery eliminator to operate it from the AC power line, or built an inboard power supply in an empty area of the chassis, and almost all of those were successful. The nice thing about battery sets is that whilst the voltages and currents required are different from lets say a transistor radio, you can throw together a very good power supply using inexpensive off the shelf or salvaged parts.
Regards
Arran




Users browsing this thread: 4 Guest(s)
[-]
Recent Posts
91H Code 126 Restore
When it comes to the cloth covered power cords, if they are not frayed, and are flexible, and if I can bend one without ...Arran — 06:21 PM
An attempt to remove the Field Coil from a G speaker
Could be. The central cylinder is OK, but the sides are...well. What's done is done. I wonder if some standard bobbine w...morzh — 06:02 PM
An attempt to remove the Field Coil from a G speaker
Mike; As I was saying it doesn't look like they used much of a bobbin for the field coil, not like a Magnavox one wou...Arran — 05:49 PM
Atwater-Kent 84, restoration.
This AK84 was bought, I think, last fall. For a whopping $100. It has been, according to the seller, restored. As I go ...morzh — 05:48 PM
Philco model 60
Plus I forgot that I have a spare complete Philco FC speaker, that would work perfectly, now that I don’t need it. Got i...Radios1340 — 05:36 PM
Philco model 60
Duh! I guess I can’t read an ohm meter today. I took the oscillator coil out and will take some readings tomorrow.Radios1340 — 05:30 PM
An attempt to remove the Field Coil from a G speaker
Well, I killed the coil. Tried to get to the end of that oxidated spot, but while holding the coil in hand, i let it sl...morzh — 05:27 PM
91H Code 126 Restore
It does not require taking apart. Find an opening, any gap that would lead inside, where the resistive element and the ...morzh — 04:59 PM
Philco 70 antenna lead
I agree. From the ones I've worked on its always been that green corrosion that causes the coils to open.Jim Dutridge — 04:34 PM
91H Code 126 Restore
Well I'm making good progress. All the bakelite blocks have been recapped.  I found that using a heat gun and skinny ...RealRider — 02:35 PM

[-]
Who's Online
There are currently 4925 online users. [Complete List]
» 2 Member(s) | 4923 Guest(s)
AvatarAvatar

>