My grandparents gave me an old Zenith when I was a kid. I became an SWL and eventually a ham. Discovering WWV was a kick!

I've worked on a few of those old radios myself lately and I still can't get over the quality of the sound that comes out of those old speakers. I've heard some that these new units of today can't compare to.

@JerryEricsson

3 жыл бұрын

I downloaded a bunch of old radio magazines from the 20's through the 50's and have been browsing them. One had an article on building a HiFi amplifier, this was long before stereo was even imagined, the recommended, two amplifiers one for bass and one for the high notes, you could adjust the tone on each but filter the output through the proper size caps to separate out the sounds you want to reproduce. Sounds like a plan to me, I am thinking now of doing just that with some solid state chips to see if the old way still drives speakers to get HiFi out of MONO.

Great! My dad has the same radio, I am inspired to get his going now.

Another excellent video/tutorial! Really great to see you bring these gems "back to life", Terry. Makes me sad and a little angry when I think about what happened to broadcast radio. It used to be so awesome. There was something for everyone, pretty much 24/7. The sound quality could be outstanding and the hosts not only knew how to speak and properly use the English language, they also had a "voice" of quality and substance, as well. Today, broadcast radio is garbage. Little more than endless commercials and advertisements (just like TV). Although, I guess there aren't many of us "old fossils" around who remember what it used to be like.....

@hestheMaster

3 жыл бұрын

With that connection added by Terry you could connect up a Sirius Satellite radio output to it and go to channels that play old time radio or the 40's channel.

@beauhatman4395

3 жыл бұрын

@@hestheMaster You're kinda missing the point. That would be digital audio. And, as you mentioned, that would also be "satellite radio" as opposed to "analog terrestrial radio". Analog is what made it so great. I'll let you in on a little secret.....digital audio sucks. May all those who made the decision to force it down our throats (without any choice or say in the matter), their algorithms, microprocessors and programs, eternally burn in hell. Yeah, I feel kinda strongly about it....

@johnlake6321

Жыл бұрын

Right on! Radio is my backdrop although I am a podcast fan too. So much better than most TV.

That tuning belt tip is a gold!

I live in dry colorado and lots of old wax paper caps 60 years old are still working. back in minnesota not. I would change the wax paper caps out just for safety. a new line cord and fuse.

Great video...good to see you working on radios again Terry!

I always love the zenith big black dial with the eye tube in it

As always a great how to video..to the point and clear...John

Congratulations! I have an old thirties Zenith radio that I'm going to attempt to repair. Thank you for sharing your skills. My dad still listened to my Zenith as recently as the nineties. I believe I can do this now.

Nice quick repair, interesting how these old relics are still in use..Great video..Ed..U.K.

YOU DRILLED A HOLE IN MY CHASSIS??? The way you do your J hooks, it's a connection with far better mechanical integrity and a component lead just poked thru the terminal on a strip and soldered. Some components like the osc coil, IF cans, etc., are unobtanium and you'd have to be nuts to screw with those terminals. And I'm a near-purist. lol. Fun video! Thank you :)

@hestheMaster

3 жыл бұрын

Nothing wrong with being a purist but sometimes ya' gotta do what ya' gotta do.;-)

@billgueltig6136

2 жыл бұрын

For a “minimalist “ resurrection, In addition to replacing the electrolytic filter caps I would replace the cap that couples the “first audio “ tube to the output tube control grids. When that cap becomes so leaky that there is DC on the 6v6 audio output grids, you run the chance of destroying the 6v6 tubes, the audio output transformer , and more..

15 years ago I just could not pass up a 1949 silvertone tv. I have not done anything yet but it lights up and even recieved vhf . I think the chassis is a work of art and deserves to be revealed .

That definitely deserves a full restoration,hopefully the owner will go for it.

@pauldow1648

3 жыл бұрын

Maybe d lab scared them with a estimate....

I really enjoyed this video. Sometimes short and sweet is the order of the day. Good luck with 100% D-Lab. Thanks again

Nice presentation Terry! I restored this same receiver for my daughter a few years ago. I did replace all the caps and most of the resistors. Her magic eye works great and it is cool to use.

Very good Terry. I remember those "electro-dynamic" speakers in which the magnet was the filter choke. I had a Sears Silvertone back in the 1960's.

Love the Video! I'm currently rebuilding one of these for one of my viewers. Love the way you did the Aux input. Clean, simple.

Just like your neighbors, I also have a 10-S-464 that's been in my family since new. Recently I was able to finally have it shipped to me from the other side of the country and now it's back in my possession after 30 years. I had it electronically restored back in 1989 and when it was delivered last month I was pleasantly surprised to find that it still works beautifully. For years I've wanted to figure out a way to have it play music through some kind of input but then I came across your video a couple of weeks ago. When I saw the simple modification you made to your neighbors' radio it inspired me to finally make it happen. I got a 3.5mm headphone jack, and even though you used 47k ohm resistors I had some 30k ohm resistors left over from another project and used them instead. Yesterday I put it all together and plugged in a Logitech Bluetooth receiver. I've found thousands of old radio shows online that I can stream from my phone and I couldn't be happier! I just wanted to share that with you. :)

Good to see you Mr. T. Love the radio vids. The O-ring trick I’ve been using for many, many years. Works Great! Auto industry has been using those O-ring kits for 30 years or so. Please take care. Hi to Emi :-)

The biggest issue with many 1939-42 Zeniths is their use of the 6X5 rectifier, in particular consoles using two of them... Like this 10S464. Zenith wired each as a half wave rectifier, and due to tube design, an underrated transformer, one tube warming up a little faster than the other, possible failing filter caps, etc... The 6x5's would develop a heater to cathode short and take out the HV side of the transformer in about 5 seconds. Zenith sent out a service bulletin on these, replaced transformers (my 11S474 was repaired by a dealer), added pilot lights as fuses, and many customers had the sets set up for a 5Y3. Today, the simple fix is to use diodes and a dropping resistor. Additionally, I always add a 25ohm 50w resistor in series with the AC line to drop the voltage going into these notoriously weak transformers. Once that's all done, these are reliable, sensitive, and some of the best sounding vintage radios you'll find!

@Rev22-21

3 жыл бұрын

Agree with most everything you said, but Radiotvphononut posted a video once (complete with charts) using the diode conversion and its very persuasive. That is, they're not really kind to your tubes in the end because.... the high voltage ramps much quicker than the filaments warm. As a result, plate current can be exceptionally excessive at start up.... shortening the tubes life. A work around on that is a 'delay on' circuit for that diode (in my opinion). Also, an in line fuse on the transformer output can be very beneficial (saving those same expensive & hard to find transformers). I just restored my 8s-463 5808 chassis here lately. It was dark since 1947 and now back to life. Still needs the correct output transformer and hopefully that'll be coming soon. Best regards.

good timing for the moosic........ you Rock, Doc!

Love the "O" ring fix! I've done the same using those stretch black hair bands women use to tie their hair back. "O" rings is even better.

I appreciate the extra details in this video, so thanks!

I added a 3.5 mm jack on my Zenith 10S464 with two similar resistors you used. Works like a charm! Plenty of bass!

Dlab you are the best !!! I need to fix my old radio but I'm scared I'm an auto mechanic I'm not a radio man but as long as things are done slow and steady and pay attention to your video I should be okay

Wonderful Job Terry

Zenith is very nice equipment. I always follow your work.

IMHO and I think in yours, the radio deserves a full resto, but, as you correctly indicated, it is the customer who decides every time. Good idea on the O-ring belt replacement. I would suggest you try to cut the O-ring on a 45 degree angle so as to maximize the bond area. I would also use Black CA glue for those repairs as it is mixed with rubber particles and remains very strong but with a degree of flexibility that plain CA glue does not have. The bond will therefore last longer under constantly flexing conditions.

@tayro7265

3 жыл бұрын

Vacuum cleaner belts last longer. You can get them in any size. Great for old Reel to Reels, phonos, 8 Tracks bla, bla, bla..

I was just given an old zenith tube radio. I hope I am able to get it to work. Thanks for video!

OMG!!! YYYESSS!!! You’re getting better! You actually almost made a “How To” video! Thank you! You showed a TINY bit of your work! You’re about 10% of the way there, so keep improving and trying to REALLY make “How To” videos, showing your work, and how you do what you do! So far, all your “How To” video’s have only been, “Look What I Did” videos, with no real instruction or “How To” involved whatsoever... You just took a MAJOR step in the right direction though, so BRAVO! Thank you! Keep moving in this direction (with actually teaching and SHOWING YOUR WORK)! THANKS!

Terry I worked in a tv shop that had the same tube tester excellent!! Unit. One thing I would have would use the air hose for a good once over, Yea wasn’t requested but could have reduced possible over heating and looked better. Love the mp3 upgrade! Thank you for your continued mentoring!

Great repair Terry if I hadn't seen it I wouldn't have believed it I have never been that lucky with an old radio just replacing a couple Electrolytics and it works. Well there is something to be said about having a radio in the family since new thats for sure. Thanks for sharing.

@radioaktiv7841

Жыл бұрын

I've been that lucky before! 😆👍 Two electrolytics, maybe two wax paper foil capacitor and boom, fires right up!

I do the same thing with the J hook joints.nice video.

Great video Terry!!

I love a Radio with green eyes...Just a tip-- Pond's face cream will will soften the old cloth wires. Just use your fingers to pinch it in a few times. There is nothing I know that softens up the old crusty vinyl wires.

I have a radio almost exactly like that one. My great grandparents bought it in 1939. The original receipt is still with it. And I also solder left handed.

If these vintage radios could only play nothing but vintage music . . I'd buy one today!

Nothing wrong with J hooking parts on an older radio. The reason being you don't want to disturb the other components at the solder joints. The big job is replacing the missing long band because you have to take the axle with the flywheel off. This may be easier said than done unless you have a cool quick tek tip like this! Nice mod for a MP3 connector.Terry should have recommended a new polarized line cord and fuse for the radio for safety reasons. I'm sure we will see this radio back in the future. I'm a big fan of older eye tube type radios and your work Terry.🍷🍷

@Elfnetdesigns

3 жыл бұрын

Or replacing a part the owner cut out of circuit or put back in the wrong way because they wanted to be a KZread DIYer and realized there was more to it and to make it top notch difficult, no clear readable schematics or a schematic just does not exist for the device you are working on and you have to guess.

@hestheMaster

3 жыл бұрын

@@Elfnetdesigns If you worked on enough TRF or AA5 radios you would know what to replace or fix. As for an owner fix well that means you really need a schematic to tell what he may have done wrong. This goes especially for a fix done on a radio from 1930-50 when the fix was done in the 1960-90s!

nice video, thank you, greetings from the Philippines..

Well done Terry !!!

Wow, that's so cool !

Wonderful video

Tus vídeos son excelentes es maravilloso ver cómo rescatas estas joyas de la antigüedad. Tengo para la venta un equipo probador o testeador de tubos de bulbo TV 7B/U Y una caja que contiene más de 100 tubos de bulbo nuevos y usados. Un saludo desde Bogotá Colombia

Your videos are so helpful. Also, you have to be in the Midwest somewhere! haha

Very good video...

You'r Brilliant!

Yes good stuff used to do that 43 years ago on aerosol manufacturing machines make up exact o rings for pneumatic spools on air systems on the machine.

I have that radio. Was my grandparents. Cloth covered wires are trashed. Tubes glue have dried out and the glass tubes are loose. I am ham so I’m going to rebuild it. This will be a huge help.

@toltec13

3 жыл бұрын

They're very easy to repair. I electronically restored My Zenith 10S464 back in 2012 and still runs like a champ to this day.

With the MP3 player one can play pre-recorded old time radio broadcasts that were listened-to when the radio was new! It would be fun to experience the old programs that were new when the original owner bought the radio.

Try to convince the customer to replace the "waxies". Not sure where the biases on the poor tubes are with electrically leaky caps. Something took out the old tubes in spite of their age. Way too nice a rig to not protect it better. Great video. Thanks for all your time.

Very cool, one can add a WIFI radio receiver to that plug, or, for that matter download some old radio programs and play them on the old radio! I grew up listening to radio for entertainment on our old farm, played on a tube radio that ran off a large battery pack since the house was never wired for electricity or plumed for running water, we kids furnished the running water by running to the windmill to fill the water pail and running back to the house. I am getting into the wifi radio right now, there are plenty of old time radio channels, and play stuff from any year.

I have the same console. I changed out all resistors, caps and rotted wire. You should have added a fuse because I have seen those 6X5 tubes short out and can cause severe transformer damage.

Its history repeating it self!

D-Lab: "... if you want your Zenith to play modern music." Also D-Lab: Plays 37 year old song.

@billdyke9745

3 жыл бұрын

Modern enough...

@bobblum5973

3 жыл бұрын

Plus the song itself was an audible commentary about an old classic radio: "Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These...". ☺

At first I thought it just forgot the words🤔😜😁👍

All ready to listen to FIbber McGee and Molly!

Thanks like old radio

Very good guy !!!! But in my opinion you should change all the caps and use the trace to improve the signal gain and to do checkup all the tubes.

A friend has a 10S470, same chassis. Tells me the belt is broken. Looks fairly simple. Also looks simple to replace those two PS caps. I wonder whether I should fix it for him or not.

I love filter caps.

I can not believe you stuck your hand up in that LIVE chassis to tune in a station!

Did you check the resistors around the magic eye tube? With any luck, it might just be a resistor that went high in value,

Haha! Wilson Picket from 1964 comes in loud and clear!!

I wouldn't want to be responsible for giving that radio back to someone who is not a radio savvy person without doing a complete recap and making it as safe as possible for modern use. I would certainly want to put a fuse in there on the primary in case that old transformer decides to short some day. I guess the line cord was OK but would usually replace that too. You obviously know what you're doing Terry so I hope you can convince them to spend the money and have it done properly.

@d-labelectronics

3 жыл бұрын

Hello, Yes, I will discuss more involved maintenance with them. There is much more to the story my friend

Man, it's like crazy spaghetti in there!

@darkshadowsx5949

3 жыл бұрын

yeah its like it was made before PCB were invented. oh right it was.

complete wash and remove of the dust is parallel to the resurrection and repair of the vintage set and make more covinient to the customers, thanks

Another Tek Tip (specifically for Zeniths of this era) ... Get rid of the 6X5 rectifier tubes before they short and take out the transformer. There are a few options when doing this. It looks like you may have replaced your's with a newer X plate design??

👍👍👏👏👏Bravíííísimo!!!!

Can anyone explain the two resistors hooked to the 1/8" audio jack? I'm learning about all this and that's new to me. Thank you!

@d-labelectronics

3 жыл бұрын

Using that to simulate the headphone impedance

@powdermnky007

3 жыл бұрын

@@d-labelectronics oh! Smart! Thank you 😎👍

It's funny you talk about those little belts cloth belts I bought out a TV repair shop it's over years ago and he had tons upon tons of those little belts but of course they might have been you old stock but they had been sitting there for a very long time a lot of them were still good there's quite a few of them that was just dry rotted I got a lot of stuff out of that building

@Elfnetdesigns

3 жыл бұрын

TV shop near me went out of business after the owner died an his family came in and threw all their stuff into a set of dumpsters that had big padlocks on them and had it all hauled off to the landfill.. Parts, test gear, tools, vintage computers radios and TV sets, the whole lot went away and no one was allowed to get anything. I even offered to pay money for some of the test gear and they were snooty about it and said no.

@SSN515

3 жыл бұрын

@@Elfnetdesigns Estate taxes?

@Elfnetdesigns

3 жыл бұрын

@@SSN515 The owner died and his family were a bunch of tool bags about it.

@SSN515

3 жыл бұрын

@@Elfnetdesigns OK. Usually stuff like that is about money, estate taxes, or family squabbles. But in this case, just tool bags.

@ericschulze5641

6 ай бұрын

​@@Elfnetdesigns if I can't get money out of it, nobody will, frigging jerks I've encountered it many times

Where di you get the O rings?

Do you have any tips on restoring a Zenith 5526 chasis radio? All wires and electronics have pretty much desentegrated and need to be replaced.

There's a little black metal bushing that goes in the end of the brass tube where you're pointing at 8:49. I actually took apart the whole tuning mechanism to put in the O ring on my 10S566, as well as changing out most of the coupling capacitors and crumbling rubber wire and then lubricated the tuning rod. I like your mp3 mod. very non invasive.

I just found this video. Do you have a video on cleaning the switches on the right side? I have two old Zeniths this 1940 and another cube type . It has three faces,broadcast ,police and shortwave which you can change to whichever you want. It works fine. I just don't know what year or model it is, though. Your video is very helpful,thank you!

i need some of those magic filter caps. i got a 1929 philco radio that i started restoring for my step dad a year ago and it still hums. i figure i got the wrong caps for filtering and the schematic is just as spaghetti as the wire job. i did get most of it the schematic figured out but the filter caps Hearing The humming after spending $700 in parts is very demotivating.

Nice video, thanks. I gave a thumbs up. But I can never understand how anyone can work on a radio chassis that is utterly filthy. A good thorough cleaning should be the first step in recovery.

Please come to Colorado and teach me how to do this to my own Zenith. I have a 1950s stereo console that I just bought from its original owner and it has a similar problem. All static and no sound after 2 minutes. I think its getting too hot

my cousin has one It looks a lot like it ,still playing good.Not to change the subject did you ever get that house next door ? I met you And you and shortwave girl In K-Zoo about 3 years ago, keep on fixing.

I found an old zenith stereo that doesn't have plug it has alagator clamps and they look original how would I power it

Bad output tubes like those suggest leaky grid coupling capacitors. Always a good idea to measure the grid voltage, if it is positive replace those coupling caps. Likely going through output tubes as a reason someone put those 6L6's in there. If those caps are leaky, those new 6V6's won't last long. Best to convince the owner it is in their best interest to replace all the wax capacitors. Just my two sense worth.

Nice,

Please, fellow what are the top historical brands of the old radio wooden cabinet in the USA

Hello. Thank you for your videos. I have an old Zenith console A-3 serial no. 8668 Have you worked on one before? If so, would you be able to send me a link for more information about this piece?

That "magic eye" tube has a 1 meg resistor in its cap that typically goes high over its life; it' should be changed too. Those TV/RADIO switches are also notorious for failing. Cleaning them is strongly encouraged.

If you consider that many of those old paper capacitors have very acidic paper in them after 80 plus years, it would be better to go for a full recap. The filters may be what makes it hum now, but leaky coupling caps may ruin tubes that are hard to find later.

This is very similar to a Zenith that I just inherited. It does come on and receives stations but has a very loud hum. I could use some help with repairing it and locating the parts. Is there a way to contact you? I would be happy to compensate you for your time. The sticker on the left side of the chassis next to the antenna says it is a model 5308 and when I took of the face plate I found the numbers 26-235 on the dial face. Thank you any help would be much appreciated.

I have a 1941 zenith record player with am fm radio and 8track comes on for record but no sound can you help?

Please, are you paw the clever technician who presents his works and skills on the 415 radio channel on KZread , thanks !

Which green eye tube do you need? The 1626 or the 28?

@d-labelectronics

3 жыл бұрын

This one is a 6U5

That old zenith never played so much deep beat bass.

Hi there. I have Grundig Satellit 6001 not working, are you in Florida?

Where do you buy these parts?

Is it hard to find tubes for such radios?

I like the old style of the old radios. How the point to point and the wires. But at the same time I always panic when I see the old wires. It is a very odd feeling to have. Like a contradiction. Where I find I both want to maintain the original condition, but also entirely rewire it with modern wires.

EASY to plug an FM tyransistor to this radio's 10 inch thru a headphoine jack on the transistor radio

Interesting had you commented on or inspected the speaker......

You should not plug-in an old radio until you limit the current with a light bulb or other current limiting resistor. You could ruin the power transformer if there is a short that will draw excessive current.

I've gone for a BlueTooth module instead of the .mp3 jack. They're very simple to install nowadays.

@d-labelectronics

3 жыл бұрын

I agree, but following the customers wants

@darthbubba866

3 жыл бұрын

@@d-labelectronics Sorry, no judgement here; I should have prefaced it with "If that were my radio,..." Been working with tubes since the '70s and still alive to tell it.

can you recap my old tube radio ?