ROBOT HEAD Radio from 1947! Electronic [Restoration]

Let's electrically restore this Crosley 56-TD Radio Receiver from 1947. See testing of components, and which ones need changing. We align the IF, oscillator and antenna sections for maximum performance. For Links, click the SHOW MORE tab below.

#learnelectronics #restore #electronicrepair

[projectartichoke]

Just have to complement you for having perfect audio levels on all of your videos. It's a rare thing on YouTube.

[lakrfan]

I would indeed like to see a case restoration. This is the main reason I watch David Tipton's radio restoration channel.

[lelandclayton]

restore the case.
restore the case.
restore the case.

[NigelDixon]

Thanks for bringing back life to yet another great little radio, Paul. We had transformerless designs all the way up to the early 60s here in the UK, and I learned the hard way at a very young age that the power cord should always go into the socket the right way round! Back then we had three different types of mains power sockets, 5 amp two pin reversible, 5 amp three pin none reversible, and 15 amp three pin none reversible, all at the standard 240 volt 50 Hz supply. By the end of the 1960s all new house power sockets had to be of the now standard 13 amp, three pin none reversible type. I was born in 1952, and at sixty seven I'm still here, so the burned fingers I got in my early days taught me the hard way that the correct wires must be connected to the correct pins in the plug!
Thank so much for all you share through your YouTube channel, Paul. You have a world wide audience eagerly awaiting your next knowledge packed video.

[PaulR]

Paul,
You are the Mustie1 (or the Mr. Blond) of electronics - thank you!!
God bless
Paul (in MA USA)

[nelsoncoffie]

trained on electronics on the late 1960, one of my first test was the building and alignment of the superheterodyne radio. Thank you making these videos, they bring back so many good memories. I am going to binge watch your videos.

[cloudwalker]

I always love it when you can restore an old radio from the 30s or 40s I find it fascinating to see the innards and you fixing it up with today’s technology

[lordmechanic]

Paul, your videos are second to none in terms of quality, education, safety and just plain ol' interesting. I don't always understand everything in your videos but I always understand more than I did before. Thanks for being a calm, soothing voice in these times of chaos. Keep up the excellent work! Oh, and the answer to any question you ask do you want to see me do X? The answer is always YES!

[sandrosbackyard]

You're so meticulous in describing everything you do, it so mesmerizing! Love your vids...great job as usual!

[DanielMelendrezPhD]

Nothing like working on some PCB designs and drinking coffee while binge-watching Paul fixing radios and designing circuits.Winner combination!

[Greg-etdp]

Mr Carlsons lab you are good at restoring vintage radios and alignment of vintage radios 📻 my friend 😊😊😊😊😊

[Spookieham]

Another fantastic video - one of the few channels that is really worth every cent of my Patreon contribution.

[ltdees]

No matter how many videos I've watched, I always learn something new and fascinating with each one...Thanks!

[ronniepirtlejr]

Mr. Carlson.." it's just that easy!"
Me...." it's never, just that easy!"

[andrewjones]

I'd like to see the case restoration as well, please. As thorough, professional and thoughtful as you are, I'd enjoy watching you paint a room! 😊

[jinglesalas]

I would have preferred that you made a video where you sorted out the grounding situation and other issues. I really didn't need another plug for your capacitor tester. I would love to buy one though. All that being said, you are easily the most knowledgeable electronics guy I have ever come across.

[doctorjohn-burgtekie]

Alignment makes all the difference plus that radio has excellent sensitivity, another great video Mr Carlson.

[richardbreisch]

Another amazing piece of history saved... Fantastic work!

[fb]

Interesting radio and restoration--thanks Mr. C! This restoration has interesting timing.
As you may recall, I sent you a PM through Patreon a little over a week ago, asking about radios of this vintage not matching their schematic. Although I had not specified, it was my Crosley 52TF that I was referring to in that PM. Unsurprisingly, the schematic for my 52TF appears to be a direct ancestor of the 56TD here in your video. The circuit in my 52TF has many differences to its schematic, so you now know what I was talking about in that PM. I originally restored all of the caps and some resistors with the same/similar values as in the original circuit. Afterwards, when I was troubleshooting hum issues, I noticed the audio output section had many differences when compared to the schematic. I took many photos and then made the audio output section match the schematic, but that completely broke the radio--no B+ voltage! Even though it went against the schematic, I moved one wire back to the way it was in the original circuit, and I got B+ back. Now I need to revert the rest of the audio output section to match the original circuit. I'm still working through hum issues, but you've given me some things to try. I'm curious if the actual wiring of our two radios differs from the schematics in the same way. Thank you for confirming that Crosleys don't always match their schematics.
Regarding the new mica capacitor, connected to the grid of the 50L6, can you confirm its value, please? Is that orange-red-brown (320 pF)? I'm also guessing the upper-left black dot on that cap means it's mica (vs silver for paper).
People, if you enjoy Mr. C's videos as much as I do, please consider supporting him through Patreon so that he can continue such great content.
Frank B+

[christiangodin]

I really like the way you explain what you are doing. As a former electronic engineer, I do appreciate, thank you.