01-01-2010, 12:53 PM
With the set off and unplugged, measure the resistance from each plate of the rectifier to the B- (usually ground) The resistance should be about the same. Next, with the rectifier tube removed and the set on , measure the AC voltage from eaqch plate of the rectifier plate pin to the B-. Careful, this would be several hundred volts, but again, about the same voltage from each plate. If it's off by much, there may be in internal short in the power transformer, and it will heat up whether the rectifier is inserted or not. If one leg is open, or you get no ac at all, then it's a goner as far as this set is concerned, unless you are very lucky and can find a faulty connection to the windings inside.
Most old sets did not have any fusing, so the bad caps probably put a strain on the rectifier, and in turn the transformer. That would explain the wax or tar droppings. If the transformer is electrically OK, and doesn't overheat, you're probably in the clear. You might want to take the bells off, check for proper insulation and connections.
If the transformer doesn't overheat, has good filament windings, and only half it's High voltage windings, keep it for another project down the road.
Keep us posted
Most old sets did not have any fusing, so the bad caps probably put a strain on the rectifier, and in turn the transformer. That would explain the wax or tar droppings. If the transformer is electrically OK, and doesn't overheat, you're probably in the clear. You might want to take the bells off, check for proper insulation and connections.
If the transformer doesn't overheat, has good filament windings, and only half it's High voltage windings, keep it for another project down the road.
Keep us posted
