Zenith Model 51-217.
 

Hi folks, I usually post in the tube forum, so almost put this there, then realized it belongs here. ;) I actually got this a couple/few years ago, but haven't done anything yet, to restore it. It was built into a kitchen cabinet door, and I still have the round dial glass & a metal retaining clip for it. I knew immediately it was worth grabbing, but don't know much else about it. It looks like the small transformer (dangling on wires) is an output, & there are a couple other wires that I have no clue about. Any info? TIA.

I think it's actually a 5-J-217. See
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/961/M0024961.htm

If I'm right about the model it'll answer your questions.

John

Thanks, I just found the Zenith Oracle, & it says the chassis is 5524, from 1938. The stickers on a couple tubes say 1955, so I figured it was at least that old, but 1938 kinda surprised me. :smoke: Oh, the serial # is R327262, & here's the link to the oracle, http://www.oldradios.com/reference/zenith.htm EDIT: I see now you were spot on, my stamp on the chassis is slightly dirty. This chassis was used in 5 models of radios, 5J196, 5J217, 5J247, 5J255, & 5J353.

Those Zenith tuning dials are always neat to look at. I bet this would look great in a deco custom case of some sort.

Before looking at the schematic, I thought that set looked suspiciously as if it had a vibrator power supply; which it does. The transformer, rectifier, and vibrator are in the metal compartment. It's a farm set. It was made to be used also off the power line on a 6-volt car battery. Lots of rural areas still didn't have power in the late thirties, and even later. Sometimes they would use a car/truck/tractor battery, bring it in the house and run the radio off of it. Next day they'd put it back in the vehicle and charge it while running the vehicle. Or some had a dedicated battery that they would take to a garage to be charged when required. When they finally got AC power, all the farmer had to do was turn the voltage switch in the back of the radio and plug it in, goodbye battery headaches. Note that the schematic says that if the set is to operate on AC continuously, it is recommended to unplug the vibrator. The last user didn't do that. It's the round metal can inside the transformer compartment and is not used at all in the circuit when running the set on AC.

You can use a PM speaker with it. The loose transformer does appear to be the output transformer but can't see the secondary connections. It appears to be plugged into a socket on the rear of the chassis, common practice, but the schematic doesn't show a speaker plug/socket. Bad draftsman that day! It's got BC and SW, the latter not always seen in farm sets. By 1938 folks were getting antsy about Hitler so SW was very popular.

Reece

Thanks for the info, Reece, pretty interesting. I noticed that it said it ran on 6v battery AND AC in the description, but what you say clarifies it a lot. :yes: I'm in no big rush to "fire it up", I'd like to understand things better first, besides the normal recapping & such. It seems it would be pretty important to feed it the right AC as well, not 117v off the wall. BTW, what do you mean by PM speaker? It might be obvious once you tell me, but I'd rather make sure.

It will run fine with your 115-120VAC house current, and yes, recap it. PM = permanent magnet speaker, no field coil. I'd suggest at least an 8" speaker of the type used in stereos and TV's during the '50's and later, often salvageable from stuff sitting on the curb for the garbage man.

Looks like tube shields are missing. Tube shields would be needed for stable operation on any tubes that have a special raised "curb" around the tube socket. Advertising your requirement here and on Antique Radio Forum might find you some.

Reece

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DN

The link above is for a picture of your radio in the original 'cube' cabinet. I have a five tube zenith chassis in my office. I found it in a mud puddle at an auction. After a recap, it played beautifully. I'm sure yours will do the same.