[Boatanchors] Safety note on converted military units

[windy10605 at juno.com]

I have now repaired two of these units and both had the same problem, so
I feel compelled to comment. 

Many older military receivers were hammed in the old days and many are
still available at swapmeets, etc. The first mod was usually to add AC
power. The most obvious issue is the use of 2 wire power cords which I
now quickly replace with a 3 wire cord but, that's not "the mod problem".
Most of these 7-8 octal tube sets (BC-348, BC-342, TCS, etc) all require
B+ at about 100ma or a little more. There were/are a large number of
"standard", small power transformers out there which have the required
250-0-250 or 300-0-300 windings. HOWEVER, if the laminations measure
around 2-1/2" by 3", chances are high it's a "standard" 60ma or 70ma
transformer. These will run hot and "cook/short" over time. The problem
is magnified by today's higher line voltages but a 60ma transformer
was/is still underrated..

73 Kees K5BCQ