tube radio troubles

[Cpt.Fred]

Hi everyone,

when the car was all nice and running smoothly, i decided to get my radio

project going and gave it away to some specialist here to have a new connector soldered in

for my MP3 thingy and to have it checked.

now the car is kicking like a mule and causing trouble all day long,

and because that's not enough the man called me and told me the vibrating

contactor was damaged and beyond repair. bingo.

the radio is a Motorola Model 802 and he told me to get a new "2 way vibrator"

or however the correct term is in english...

can anyone help me with a website or contact where i can get a new one?

thanks,

Fred

[Andydodge]

Fred........I know a joke about a "2 way vibrator"............on 2nd thoughts maybe this isn't the right place for it........lol.........seriously tho' mate, how are you going?.......lol.....andyd

[Rusty O'Toole]

The vibrators often wear out on old car radios. Sometimes they can be repaired although they are supposed to be sealed units. It is also possible to find NOS replacements. You could try the vintage suppliers like Andy Bernbaum or Roberts Motor Parts. Or do a web search for tube radio parts. Do you have the part number?

It is also possible to make or buy a solid state vibrator using transistors. I have seen plans in old electronics hobbyist magazines. Perhaps a web search will turn something up.

The solid state vibrator eliminates the faint hum that comes from the mechanical vibrator.

........................................... Later .................................

A solid state vibrator schematic:

http://www.vmarsmanuals.co.uk/newsletter_articles/vibrator.pdf

Another version, this time in German

http://www.antik-radio.de/radio/projekte/projekt_zerhacker.htm

Both turned up with a quick web search.

Edited June 12, 2012 by Rusty O'Toole

[Alshere59]

http://www.radiosforoldcars.com/vibrators.htm

Try this site

[Don Coatney]

Fred........I know a joke about a "2 way vibrator"............on 2nd thoughts maybe this isn't the right place for it........lol.........seriously tho' mate, how are you going?.......lol.....andyd

In this case a Google search might, or might not be your best friend.

[MacGyver]

In this case a Google search might, or might not be your best friend.

That's the best laugh I've had all day. Thanks!

(Got blocked at work today Googling "BedMasterEx" which is actually physilogical data acquisition software for use in hospitals)

[BeBop138]

Fred,---www.tubesandmore.com these guys are out of AZ---they have a lot of antique electronics......Good Luck

[Cpt.Fred]

Well, well, well.... you can probably imagine how many online translators i double-checked before i started asking for vibrators on international carnut message boards

thanks, andy, i'm fine

just have to get the various car issues fixed and then everything is perfect.

thanks for the websites, everyone.

building a new one is nothing for me, i pretty much hate electric stuff.

the radio specialist is quite expensive, so i try to get another one, new or not.

here's what he answered concerning the unit number:

Vibrator Type Interupter 6,3V DC 115V Hz

Mopar Philco 83-0026

Mallory 859

Radiart 5326P

i'll now take a deep breath and try another google search...

Fred

edit: that radiosforoldcars site is great! thanks!

Edited June 13, 2012 by Cpt.Fred

[Dennis_MN]

I bought a rebuilt radio from a Craig's list ad and when I finally got around to checking it, dang thing didn't work. I could see that all the tubes worked ( they are in series light a Christmas tree) so I figured that it needed a vibrator and the high voltage rectrofier OZ4

I bought them from. http://www.radiodaze.com/

Works like a charm. Just be careful in selecting the electronic vibrator because it is polarity sensitive.

Dennis

[martybose]

I just pulled a vibrator out of my parts 802 and will be mailing it to Fred on Thursday.

Marty

[old stovebolt]

Hi everyone,

when the car was all nice and running smoothly, i decided to get my radio

project going and gave it away to some specialist here to have a new connector soldered in

for my MP3 thingy and to have it checked.

now the car is kicking like a mule and causing trouble all day long,

and because that's not enough the man called me and told me the vibrating

contactor was damaged and beyond repair. bingo.

the radio is a Motorola Model 802 and he told me to get a new "2 way vibrator"

or however the correct term is in english...

can anyone help me with a website or contact where i can get a new one?

thanks,

Fred

Hi Fred,

Send me a PM with the ID info on the vibrator. I have several and if one matches, you can have it.

[Cpt.Fred]

Thanks, everybody!

I'm still gathering info on the advantages of transistor type vibrators vs. mechanical ones,

and how things look i'm going to buy a spare somewhere, regarding the limited lifetime

of the mechanical ones, especially used ones.

polarity sensitive, yes... good point.

i just got some info on how to reverse the polarity of my +ground to -ground,

something with the generator and some cables and black magic.

would really make things easier for me, or would it?

well, one step after another.

old stove bolt, all i know about the dreaded little thing is what i posted above:

Vibrator Type Interupter 6,3V DC 115V Hz

Mopar Philco 83-0026

Mallory 859

Radiart 5326P

the transitor type vibrator number from radiosforoldcars would be 1015-P, i guess,

standard 4-pin-unit as it seems. Do you have new ones?

Fred

[Rusty O'Toole]

It is not necessary to reverse polarity and not a good idea unless you have a good reason.

Main advantage of solid state vibrator is, no hum and longer life. Some say the wave form is not the same but it doesn't seem to affect tube life or performance.

[greg g]

Isn't it the job of the vibrator to take DC and put into a form of AC that tubes like better than DC?

Edited June 15, 2012 by greg g

[T120]

Isn't it the job of the vibrator to take DC and put into a form of AC that tubes like better than DC?

I watched the "you tube" presentation..quite a good summary...The function of the vibrator is to change D.C. into A.C...In order for a transformer to be able to operate, it requires A.C.( alternating current).The vibrator supplies this to the primary winding of the transformer...The secondary winding of the transformer supplies voltage depending on the turns ratio to a rectifier which changes it back into D.C... The required D.C. voltage(s) - determined by circuitry in the radio are then supplied to the various tubes and their elements.

Edited June 15, 2012 by Ralph D25cpe

[Captain Neon]

In this case a Google search might, or might not be your best friend.

I still remember getting called to HR when a female employee overhead me and an other old car guy talking about radio vibrators.

[Don Coatney]

I still remember getting called to HR when a female employee overhead me and an other old car guy talking about radio vibrators.

And was the HR manager a female:D

[Captain Neon]

And was the HR manager a female:D

Fortunately he was an ex-Marine and he laughed when I told him what we were really talking about, but it was still a nerve-wracking experience.