Vintage Marconi radio

[russo]

Goodnight,

A old friend of my parents found a very old Marconi radio in his basement and he asked me if I could repair it.
The radio as a broken tube that I dont know what it can be, and the string that moves the tuner is broken, that is a easy fix I think, but the electronics in it are a bit more complex, as I never worked with tubes, from it looks I think it need at least a nice cleaning and a re-cap.
See the photos and leave a comment if you know this radio or if you have any idea about it.

This is the front panel and in the clear circle is the broken tube that is also out of place:

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

This is the serial and the model number:

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

This is the general looks of the interior:

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

There is this transformer that I cant understand if its coated or its pretty well burned:

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

A close-up of the broken valve, it first appeared to be just a green light, but from the general photo you can see that there is a lot of pins in it:

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

And this is a paper that is glued inside the radio:

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[hidnplayr]

The broken tube is a 'magic eye'. Its not needed fot the radio to make sound.
It aids in tuning. This site might help you to identify the specific type: All About Magic Eye Tubes

 

[barrymagrec]

The broken magic eye is the type Y61 mentioned on the label . Mullard type EM34 can be sustituted - but only with some minor circuit modifications. Nice old radio from the late 40`s / early 50`s - many similarities with HMV units of the same date.

Barry

 

[tunneldiode]

Very nice, Marconi radios of that era were of battleship build quality.
You can probably obtain the service data from this site:
UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - Powered by vBulletin

 

[barrymagrec]

Should read all the post first - the black transformer is just coated in the black pitch typical of EMI / HMV / Marconi transformers and ckokes of the period. It will be the output transformer associated with the KT66 valve.

Barry

 

[Hi_Q]

What a super radio to restore! Made just after WW2 I think in 1946.
Some nice pics of it here-

http://www.museudoradio.com/images/estrangeiros/39-Marconi-1.jpg
http://www.museudoradio.com/images/estrangeiros/39-Marconi-2.jpg
http://www.museudoradio.com/images/estrangeiros/39-Marconi-3.jpg

 

[russo]

Thanks for the valuable information.
I will dissassmbly it to start the cleaning, can someone point me to some site that sells tubes in Europe so I can search for the broken magic eye?

 

[Globulator]

Thanks for the valuable information.
I will dissassmbly it to start the cleaning, can someone point me to some site that sells tubes in Europe so I can search for the broken magic eye?

Careful what you clean, you can wipe off the panel printing (and any print on glass) very easily - don't touch any irreplaceable printings.

 

[russo]

I will only work on the insides/electronics, not on the outside/wood.

Does anyone know where can I find the Y61 magic eye, I searched a bit but I cant find anyone selling it, or the Mullard equivalent and if possible what I would need to change in the circuitry to make it work.

 

[Cassiel]

How good is your Spanish? I know a place full of tube radio experts, they enjoy restoring old radios, they also sell radio tubes. Cheap. You'll need to register to access the forum. They will help you, old timers with a lot of time on their hands.


Elválvulas

 

[russo]

Its not very good, well I cant write it, but I can read Spanish for sure, thanks for the link, I will search the forum.

 

[barrymagrec]

EM34s appear to be readily available on Ebay.
The following information to replace a Y61 is taken from the Mullard Maintenance Manual circa 1956 :- Supply HT to pin 6 through a 1Mohm resistor. Interchange connections to pins 4 and 5.

Barry