Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: SIGNGUY on March 21, 2006, 09:54:34 am
Totally off the mark here but Kinda Soda Related.. I am tyring to restore my 1949 Coke Cooler Radio. You've seen these they are a miniature Replica of and old Westinghouse or Cavalier Chest Cooler made out of Bakelite. Very cool, Embossed and cool looking. All I get is a Hum out of it, no signal, I took it apart, and all is complete, I'm guessing maybe one or more of the Tubes are burnt out? there are 5 Glass Tubes, 3 of them I can see lightup a bit, the other two don't? There are more intricate electronics as well but I don't know much about wiring these things... All parts are there and I believe it should be a simple fix if I can figure out what to replace and where to get the items to replace it (radio Shack)?? or where? Any help out there... IT's a cool little radio and would even be better if Icould listen to the game on it! Thanks for any help or direction... I'll post some photos later on tonight.
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: sodaworks on March 21, 2006, 12:08:45 pm
I have some old NOS tubes, what are the #'s on the tubes not working?
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: on March 21, 2006, 01:19:22 pm
I want to see pics. 
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: BrianB on March 21, 2006, 08:58:51 pm
In addition to my Soda Pop Machine obsession 
I also restore/repair old tube-type radios. If you can visually see that the heaters in two of the tubes aren't lighting it could be a couple of things.
The more likely of the two is a bad tube. Easily fixed by replacing the bad tube. You could also be missing the required voltage for the heater. This could be caused by a broken wire, bad solder joint or a bad transformer, far less likely but still a possibility.
Old radios/amps used paper wrapped capacitors that dry out with age. Purists only replace the bad cap's. I replace all of them! Better safe than sorry.
I'd say replace the suspected bad tubes. Let me know if you need any help locating the tubes. I might even be able to find a schematic for the radio if it doesn't have one located inside the radio somewhere. Good luck and let me know if you need any help restoring it!
I also restore/repair old tube-type radios. If you can visually see that the heaters in two of the tubes aren't lighting it could be a couple of things. The more likely of the two is a bad tube. Easily fixed by replacing the bad tube. You could also be missing the required voltage for the heater. This could be caused by a broken wire, bad solder joint or a bad transformer, far less likely but still a possibility.
Old radios/amps used paper wrapped capacitors that dry out with age. Purists only replace the bad cap's. I replace all of them! Better safe than sorry.
I'd say replace the suspected bad tubes. Let me know if you need any help locating the tubes. I might even be able to find a schematic for the radio if it doesn't have one located inside the radio somewhere. Good luck and let me know if you need any help restoring it!
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: on March 21, 2006, 09:38:36 pm
Brian,
Do you work on old tube TV's too?
I have a perfect looking Philco Predicta TV that I hope to get up and running someday.
It's the model in the ad's big photo here. I even have the original stand with it.
'kito
Do you work on old tube TV's too?
I have a perfect looking Philco Predicta TV that I hope to get up and running someday.
It's the model in the ad's big photo here. I even have the original stand with it.
'kito
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: SIGNGUY on March 21, 2006, 11:48:15 pm
I figured it was probably the tubes as well, and would just like to replace them, some or all, I have no idea of where to get them? or how much this project will run me.. Here are the numbers on the tubes based on the wiring diagram on the back. 12SQ7 , 12SK7, 50L6, 12SA7, 35ZS If you have any "Terry" PM me and let me know what you want for them. I've attached a few photos of the work in progress, sorry didn't have on of it before disassembly. Also looking for a new lightbulb for the lightup dial. there are no markings for it and it might just take a little trial and error to find the right one, unless someone knows size and voltage/wattage. Thanks for all the help!
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: SIGNGUY on March 21, 2006, 11:55:40 pm
Sorry for the screwed up pictures, don't know how to line them up or make em smaller on this board yet.
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: Creighton on March 22, 2006, 12:36:08 am
WOW!! That is really clean. New tubes should do the trick. Anything look burned on the underside of the tube chassis? Hope that is an easy fix, very cool radio!!
Creighton
Creighton
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: BrianB on March 22, 2006, 06:59:56 am
The chassis looks great! Nice and clean with no signs of rust or dirt. All of the tubes you have listed are widely available. One of the places that I use for supplies/tubes is: Antique Electronice Supply they are located in Tempe, Arizona and do a great job. Another good outfit is Radio Daze I've bought from them on more than one occasion and have been very pleased with their support.
One suggestion though, make sure to ask for American vacuum tubes! Be very specific! Both of the places I mentioned will send American tubes most of the time but are allowed to make substitutions if need be. Chinese and Russian tubes pretty much suck. They only turn out a few tubes that are of any use.
Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck with you radio, it looks great!
One suggestion though, make sure to ask for American vacuum tubes! Be very specific! Both of the places I mentioned will send American tubes most of the time but are allowed to make substitutions if need be. Chinese and Russian tubes pretty much suck. They only turn out a few tubes that are of any use.
Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck with you radio, it looks great!
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: cormy on March 22, 2006, 09:54:33 am
Why don't you ask YODA ? He should be able to figure it out!
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: SIGNGUY on March 22, 2006, 10:03:41 am
Thanks for all the help and suggestions... I did ask Yoda, but all he spews out is phrases like "Use the Force" and other Galctical mumbo Jumbo....
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: on March 22, 2006, 11:29:05 am
Then ask Ms. Pacman (is it working?), then again, she's not much of a talker... but can she eat!
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: sodaworks on March 22, 2006, 11:35:37 am
I'll check today to see what tubes I have.
Title: Help with a coca-cola cooler radio???
Post by: SIGNGUY on March 22, 2006, 04:15:35 pm
Yes the Pacman is all original and working great... little screen burn but not visible when playing... I did buy a 96-1 Pac adapter but haven't installed it yet... I get nervous around all those electrical connections and worry about breaking someting and screwing up the whole game. I'll be adding pictures of my collection in the gallery sometime soon!...