09-02-2023, 05:28 PM
I’m working on this Midwest 88. I put on a replacement transformer. I used an 11 gauge plate to mount the unit on - this preserves the original holes for later replacement if needed.
I put heat shrink near the transformer bell to protect the wires from the sharp edges of the metal hole. I did the same on the other side by the socket just to add some stability.
My soldering is all shiny - the stranded wire sticking out makes it look bad but there is a solid mechanical connection.
I get this may not be how everyone uses heat shrink.
I don’t see what’s wrong with doing it this way. My reasoning was that, from what I’ve seen, over decades normal movement of the radio, vibration, heat, normal deterioration of the cloth insulation causes issues. This preserves enough of the wiring near the transformer that wiring could be replaced - it gives an inch or two to work with so maybe you don’t have to take the transformer apart. It’s just also a way of protecting against a short.
I posted this to my Facebook group on radio repair - it caused a vicious mean reaction - my soldering sucked, I used heat shrink wrong. Basically I was an idiot. I’ve totally given up on Facebook. It appears populated by the same people who used to run my HOA - I found this 75 year old duffer at 3 am on his knees with a flashlight measuring the height of my lawn.
I have an essential tremor - sort of similar symptoms to Parkinson’s - so my work is just not going to be that neat. All I can say is that my repairs work.
If there’s something fundamentally wrong here I’m happy to listen. My next problem is fixing the speaker.
I put heat shrink near the transformer bell to protect the wires from the sharp edges of the metal hole. I did the same on the other side by the socket just to add some stability.
My soldering is all shiny - the stranded wire sticking out makes it look bad but there is a solid mechanical connection.
I get this may not be how everyone uses heat shrink.
I don’t see what’s wrong with doing it this way. My reasoning was that, from what I’ve seen, over decades normal movement of the radio, vibration, heat, normal deterioration of the cloth insulation causes issues. This preserves enough of the wiring near the transformer that wiring could be replaced - it gives an inch or two to work with so maybe you don’t have to take the transformer apart. It’s just also a way of protecting against a short.
I posted this to my Facebook group on radio repair - it caused a vicious mean reaction - my soldering sucked, I used heat shrink wrong. Basically I was an idiot. I’ve totally given up on Facebook. It appears populated by the same people who used to run my HOA - I found this 75 year old duffer at 3 am on his knees with a flashlight measuring the height of my lawn.
I have an essential tremor - sort of similar symptoms to Parkinson’s - so my work is just not going to be that neat. All I can say is that my repairs work.
If there’s something fundamentally wrong here I’m happy to listen. My next problem is fixing the speaker.
