need a new vibrator

[p24-1953]

couldnt resist.... my 6 voilt radio will work if you hit a good bump or bang on the dash. i have been told that the vibrator is most likely about to die. the parts list on the main page shows

6 Volt Radio Vibrator - - - - - Mallory 1601

where can you get one of these? or cna you repair the existing one?

[Normspeed]

They ca be refurbished. There used to be quite a bit of info on some Australian websites about the process. I'll see if I can find the links, it's been a while.

Main dilemma is, once your AM is working ok, what the heck is there to listen to?

[BobT-47P15]

Might try Bob's Radio in Calif.....sorry, don't have a link handy.

[Heavy Flat Head]

Here is a link I found with a google search for soild state vibrators:

http://www.radiodaze.com/auto_vibrators-special.htm

This is a long list but it should be a standard four pin postive ground. Read the link about the cap it is important with the price that they get for there product.

Aslo some of these links aslo talk about converting your radio to FM. Looks like something to look into.

Ed.

[Dennis Hemingway]

Here are a couple of places you can try.

Dennis

http://www.tubesandmore.com/

http://www.bobsradio.com/#AM_FM

[Young Ed]

and once its working check out www.trueoldieschannel.com

see if they broadcast in your area.

[Niel Hoback]

A couple of years ago, or more, I got an electronic vibrator, ( insert joke of your choice here), from a place in Florida. I think it was called antiqueautoradios.com, or something like that. It worked real good for a while even though there was no hum. One day it melted because I didn't change the capacitors like I was supposed to when I put in the vibrator.

I did remove the old capacitors but didn't replace them, so now I don't remember where they go.

Nice looking radio with a new dial glass sittin on the shelf. Real quiet like.

[Don Coatney]

A couple of years ago, or more, I got an electronic vibrator, ( insert joke of your choice here), from a place in Florida. I think it was called antiqueautoradios.com, or something like that. It worked real good for a while even though there was no hum. One day it melted because I didn't change the capacitors like I was supposed to when I put in the vibrator.

I did remove the old capacitors but didn't replace them, so now I don't remember where they go.

Nice looking radio with a new dial glass sittin on the shelf. Real quiet like.

Neil;

I have learned over the years that capacitance is critical when installing a vibrator. I have seen meltdown first hand if this step in the process is by-passed and it is not pretty. If you do a google search for humming vibrators I am sure you can find the all the assistance you need.

[oldmopar]

A couple of years ago, or more, I got an electronic vibrator, ( insert joke of your choice here), from a place in Florida. I think it was called antiqueautoradios.com, or something like that. It worked real good for a while even though there was no hum. One day it melted because I didn't change the capacitors like I was supposed to when I put in the vibrator.

I did remove the old capacitors but didn't replace them, so now I don't remember where they go.

Nice looking radio with a new dial glass sittin on the shelf. Real quiet like.

Here is a link to the complete radio schematic its a pdf so make take a while to appear depending on your connection

http://oldmopar.com/p15/P15radioa.pdf

[DonaldSmith]

Was it last August? I replaced the capacitors in my radio and rejuvenated the vibrator.

The trick is to run house current (120 volt AC) through the vibrator, in series with a 40 watt light bulb. I guess that reduces the voltage and maybe acts as a buffer. The AC gets the points moving, and the high voltage burns off the crap.

I used an old drill motor cord with switch, so I could intermittently jazz the vibrator with the AC. (Be sure to tape uo the connections - their house voltage.) It took a couple of shots, and the vibrator worked for a while during bench testing. It quit, but another session worked for good, and the radio has been working since.

I think it was the antique radio site that helped me with technical issues.

[DonaldSmith]

Or maybe it was the nostagiaair site.