LIP RIPPER
431 posts
May 01, 2011
4:49 AM
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I bought a 58 Rambler at a yard sale. It has a tube type radio. When I turn it on I have to have the volume all the way up and can barely here the station. Can a weak tube produce this sympton? The volume control doesn't appear to be dirty, no cracking or anything. It just has to be full volume to get any sound at all.
LR
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Oisin
788 posts
May 01, 2011
5:05 AM
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Just curious...what is a 58 Rambler?
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Oisin
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Oisin
789 posts
May 01, 2011
6:28 AM
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What a cool car!
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Oisin
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LIP RIPPER
432 posts
May 01, 2011
6:38 AM
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You got that right AG, major funk.
Thanks Oisin, it's a 58 Rambler American Super.
And thank you Kingley for the lead. Looks like a great source. I'm gonna have to pull her out of the dash and take a closer look.
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Greg Heumann
1119 posts
May 01, 2011
7:58 AM
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More likely weak power supply - tubes need high voltages to work. Your radio has to take your 6 or 12VDC, and then "manufacture" high voltage DC. It turns the 12VDC to A/C first, then probably uses a transformer to step the voltage up higher - and then rectifies it back to DC. (This is what is commonly called an "inverter.") At this stage there will be filter capacitors to smooth out the signal - and those are likely the culprit.
You are sure you're close to a known good AM station, of course?
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/Greg
Last Edited by on May 01, 2011 7:58 AM
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MJ
293 posts
May 01, 2011
12:24 PM
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If the sound is fuzzy or weak, you may need to check the audio tube. (50L6, or 35L6) Be careful, electricity stings and kills. Those old radios are not grounded with isolation transformers. Always keep one hand in your pocket and don't poke around with anything but wood.
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chromaticblues
812 posts
May 01, 2011
2:49 PM
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@ Lip Ripper Have someone check the speaker.
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