Cracked Capacitor Caused Crackling Noise In Philips Valve Radio 15RB708/00S
This was brought by the same customer to whom I had serviced a similar Radio a few months back. This TV was lying in his ancestral home and was reported to be having a weak output. The Radio was well maintained with a fresh back cover made by a carpenter as the original was damaged beyond repair.
I opened the rear cover and bottom cover and inspected the condition and did a thorough cleaning:
There was a modification done by a previous technician to add FM tuner and that is what you see hanging in the first picture above. That was fixed on the back cover.
I then switched on the Radio. Only one dial bulb out of the two was found lit. As soon as the Valves got warm and started working, I heard crackling noises because of which I had to switch it off immediately fearing that something was shorting and arcing. Looked for any such visible marks of arcing and could not find any. But then I noticed one fixed capacitor with a crack on one side.
I replaced that upon which the crackling noise vanished. But the output was low, which was traced to another 4700pF coupling capacitor. I replaced that too. Then lubricated all the valve bases and reinserted the valves in the same order how it was. Unfortunately, I forgot to click the inside as I was very much excited working on a Tube set, which come only occasionally. But I took extracts from a video that I took after completing the job, which I am reproducing below:
Then the Radio was found working superbly well. Then I removed the two bulb holders from its holding bracket and inspected the bulbs. One was not making proper contact. I removed the threaded bulbs, applied a bit of switch cleaning oil and reinserted it, upon which both the bulbs were found lit.
Mission accomplished with a vintage satisfaction that entered into the bag with a crackling noise! (LOL)
This article was prepared for you by Parasuraman Subramanian from India. He is 74 years old and has more than 30 years’ experience in handling antique equipment like Valve Radio, Amps, Reel Tape Recorders and currently studying latest tech-classes conducted by Kerala State Electronics Technicians’ Association. He has done graduation in BBA degree, private diploma in Radio Engineering and retired as MD of a USA company. Presently working as Consultant to Hospital and other institutions.
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Yogesh Panchal
June 14, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Reviving antique Radio.Good Job! Sir
Parasuraman S
June 15, 2025 at 10:50 am
Thanks, Yogesh Bai!
Waleed Rishmawi
June 14, 2025 at 5:07 pm
Good job on the repair. I knew it was your article since you work a lot on antique stuff. As always a well done job. Have a blessed day
Parasuraman S
June 15, 2025 at 10:50 am
Many thanks, dear friend!
Albert van Bemmelen
June 14, 2025 at 5:44 pm
Another well carried out vintage tube radio repair! It is still odd that for over a century tubes and crt tubes were made of such an odd but common material as breakable glass. On the other hand it is less odd knowing that transistors are mostly made of pure sand (silicium). But all that is about to change in the near future after reading about China’s new SILICON-FREE chip that beats Intel with 40% more speed and 10% less energy. But that chip probably uses materials that are highly toxic.
Parasuraman S
June 15, 2025 at 10:53 am
Technology is advancing very fast and China and Japan are in the forefront. We may perhaps say on a neck to neck competition! Every such advancement has its own implications, but if it is going to affect the environment, we need to think twice! Many thanks for your expert comments, dear Albert!
Imoudu
June 14, 2025 at 8:04 pm
A customer satisfying gem leaves an indelible joy in the customer's heart...by extention he keeps coming.Thanks for sharing sir.
Parasuraman S
June 15, 2025 at 10:56 am
A satisfied customer is always our marketing man. But more damage would be done by an unsatisfied customer. While the former would recommend us only if an when someone approaches him for a reference, the latter would broadcast it on his own! Well, we have to face such customers in our line of business! There is no other go! Many thanks for your comments, dear!
Paris Azis
June 15, 2025 at 2:23 am
Hello Parasuraman,it makes me very happy reading that this vintage radio is working again. I have almost the same set, which my father bought in 1967 and i used to play my electric guitar at that time using it as amplifier. It has excellent sound reproduction indeed. And it still works perfectly. Thank you once again for the time travel in the past...
Parasuraman S
June 15, 2025 at 10:57 am
Nice to hear from you after a long time, dear Paris! Many thanks for your comments and sharing the recollections!
Mark J
June 15, 2025 at 2:25 am
Parasuraman anther great vintage radio repair. I always look forward to these types of videos from you. Thank you for sharing.
Parasuraman S
June 15, 2025 at 10:59 am
Many thanks, dear Mark! There are a few more in the queue to be sent to our great Jestine Yong. You will find them as and when he publishes it.
Mark J
June 16, 2025 at 12:14 am
Will be looking forward to them. I always learn something form your articles. Maybe I will be as good of a repair technician as you some day.
Parasuraman S
June 16, 2025 at 4:04 pm
Many thanks, dear Mark! That is very nice of you!
Muykit
June 16, 2025 at 5:31 pm
TV, first paragraph. I sure will have to learn about valve radio concepts. As you prepare to give us superb articles that have video, please continue to provide written articles that are sufficiently informative so that some of us are not left out. Also its easier to store written material.
You should have asked Paris Asiz to please give us some more of his catchy articles.
Parasuraman S
June 17, 2025 at 10:50 am
Oh! Thanks for pointing out the mistake in the first para! Some mix up at my end! I may have to trouble our Jestine Yong once again for correcting the error!
Jayakumar P
June 16, 2025 at 9:04 pm
Great work sir,Continue with the good work so that similar pieces of olden days will again come to life.I think it is a stereo model.Prestigious model of PHILIPS and was a symbol of pride in upper class families in the seventies.
Jayan
Parasuraman S
June 17, 2025 at 10:52 am
Yes, dear Jayakumar! It is a stereo model and it was indeed a pride for upper class families in the olden days! Many thanks for your encouraging comments!