Going to try to start on 2 simple SS record players

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Well, I've got a GE Wildcat and a Realistic Clarinett II
that both have amplifier noise problems.
But, the record changers were a piece of cake this time !

All the caps are original, so I would like to start by
replacing all e-lytics.
I have read that this is not the best way to troubleshoot,
but the caps are over 50 years old.

Before I get started, any/all tips for working on
old SS pc board amps is greatly appreciated.
I know to avoid too much heat from the
soldering iron to avoid lifting circuit traces.

I have surrendered to the transitor gods, and just
accept that they work. Going from some understanding
of tube physics to deep atomic physics of transitor
function was challenging.

Today several hours were spent on figuring out how to
dis-assemble the Clarinette amp from its mountings.
Everything was soldered in, no leads with any
plug-in connections.
It was even easier to remove the record changer
motor hard-wired to the chassis, to get it all out
in one unit.

On to get a Mouser order up.

[electra225]

I'll be following your project here with interest. I'm not much on SS stuff, having never messed with any. There is a thread on "Getting Started" on how to check transistors. Good luck.

[TC Chris]

The nice thing about starting with the electrolytics is that either they need to be replaced, or likely will need it soon. And at least for the power supply ones, when they go, they may take other components with them. I did fire up the Marantz 2270 (early '70s) without precautions, and it showed no signs of distress, but I'll bet Marantz parts were higher quality than GE!

Chris Campbell

[William]

I have only ever had one GE Wildcat apart and that was for control cleaning and changer service. One nice thing about the GE Wildcat, everything unplugs. I have worked on a couple of GE Trimline units, again control cleaning and changer service. They all unplugged too.

Bill

[electra225]

Was the Clarinett II made by Arvin? Maybe this will help you.

https://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/vi ... p?t=360888

My sister had a GE Wildcat that she beat to death for many years and is still going, last I knew. Mr. Wells, the Zenith dealer, told her it wasn't worth putting a new needle in 50 years ago. If my sister can't kill something, it is pretty tough.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

As I'm putting my capacitor order together, I have some questions:

1. On the GE Wildcat, the is a 250 uF/25 V cap in what looks
like a power supply filter position.
A 250 uF cap is pretty expensive vs a 270 uF cap.

Is the 270 uF cap okay to use ?

2. The RS Clarinette II has a 50 uF/ 15 Volt cap
used around the AF transitors and used around
the amp/driver transitors.

Is the 47uF value OK to use there ?

Or would a 56 uF be better ?

Thanks !

[TC Chris]

Better to go a bit over on capacitance. Same with voltage rating--equal or more then.

Chris Campbell

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

So I'm posting the Sams for the GE Wildcat, which
various parts listed are not the same for my Wildcat.
Similar, but it's got me a bit dizzy.

From what I can gather all the transitors in the Wildcat
are NPN and all are an "audio amplifier, switch" type.

I put in a TR-21 part number from the Sams and the
NTE cross-index brought up their NTE 123AP transistor.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

What amp I have.
I could not post more than 3
attachements for some reason.

[electra225]

The reason you can only post three attachments is that is how I have it set. Do you believe we should up that a bit? How many do you need for this thread?

The value 47 uf is the modern replacement for 50 uf. You can use the 47 in place of the 50. The 270 uf input filter cap should work fine. I wouldn't go too much larger than specified for the input filter cap.

Edit.....Just for you, Mr. Mogul, I increased the number of attachments per post to six. You can edit the post with the pictures and add up to six, total, if you'd like. I can see that, as we get more involved projects posted, we need more pictures.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Greg,
That is very kind of you.
I wasn't complaining, I just could not find
the max # of attachments in the FAQ's.
It obviously was three, ha ha !

With ya'lls advice, I think I have the Mouser
e-lytic cap order about ready.

With quite a bit of reading on BJT transistors,
I hope to have some fun with these two
little amps.

[electra225]

I know you weren't complaining. We need more picture capability as we get more involved projects being posted. Three attachments was the default setting. We know how helpful "good old default" has been......

Considering how big the images are when they are posted, maybe we'll stand pat at six.

I sure look forward to seeing you go thru these two SS amps. There is a blurb in "Getting Started" about how to test transistors, if that will help you. Good luck and keep us posted.

[electra225]

Have you made any progress on these projects, Mr. Mogul?

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Have you made any progress on these projects, Mr. Mogul?

Hello Greg,
I forgot to send my Mouser order, so no progress yet.
I am interested in trying my hand on those 2 SS amps.

With the nice weather last week, I went to work on
Ms. RCA 6HF5 who was in the shipping trainwreck.

Cabinet tacked up and glued. Went over finish
with Howards and 0000 steel wool.
A very nice improvement.
The speaker baffle had to have some wood
support blocks removed to get it out.
Will replace grille cloth and determine how
to re-mount speakers, now that the 2 tweeter
plastic mounts are broken.

I needed to get something tangible done,
and that helped balance my outlook.

Then I got a BSR C-129 for repair (expoxy grease
removal). The WORST locked up mechanism I
ever seen in a BSR. Literally every hinge,
joint, tonearm shaft, drive wheel, spindle,
and platter cemented down.
Up and running well today, and a new stylus in it.

[electra225]

Got any pictures of the RCA that was busted when you got it?

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Here's some arrival photos.

Note the unusual 90 degree bend in
the record spindle !
Very hard to load records.

[William]

All I can say is...how sad!

Bill

[electra225]

The spindle beat the dickens out of the top of the cabinet, huh? Boy, what kind of beating did it take to make the speaker come loose? You are lucky you have something to fix. Let us share in your progress.

[electra225]

Any progress to share on these two projects, Mr. Mogul?

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Hi everyone,
Right after I got my Mouser order, things went south
for me for about a month.
An old root canal spoke up, and other such
events that kept me away from hi-fi fun.

I can report that today I made a bench test of a
blonde RCA 7-HF-5 consolette (similar to the 6-HF-5).
I bought it back in December locally, and it has its
removeable four tapered metal legs !

Amp and changer back in the cabinet, and a new
P-228 cartridge.
Sounds really good.
It's another PP 50C5, 12AX7, and selenium rectifier,
subbed with a 1N4007.

The solid state amps are calling for cap replacements,
so I'll start with the little GE Wildcat amp first.

The train-wreck RCA 6-HF-5 has been dis-assembled,
but I think it will be a much longer term restoration.
The speaker baffle was truly baffling, as I had to
knock out some corner wood pieces to remove it.
I can't remember what configuration will get it
mounted back, but there's time to mull that over.