[Boatanchors] BBOD's are really reliable (sic)

[Philip Atchley]

Hi,

I just finished up re-capping both a (circa 1952) SP-600JX14/R-274C/FRR AND
the RF deck from another one.  The Receiver itself had been "partially"
recapped some years back (not sure when) but only the "easy" ones were done,
under the chassis.  None in the RF deck, IF cans etc were replaced.  And the
ones that were replaced were done with some sort of Japanese ceramic cased
units.  Since I wasn't sure if they were oil/paper or something better I
replaced them too.  A good insurance policy.

Anyway, when this set came to me I was told it worked, "somewhat".  I'm not
sure how.  After recapping, I tested all the capacitors on my (freshly
calibrated) IT-28 capacitor checker.  Virtually ALL (64 of them) but one of
the BBODs failed the leakage test at 50 Volts.  The one exception failed at
100 Volts.  Only one had an obvious crack in the case.  ALL of the Japanese
capacitors tested good right up to their rated 450V.

So, the conclusion is this.  The BBODs ARE 100% RELIABLE.  THEY CAN BE COUNTED
ON TO BE BAD!  The person who leaves these things in their radio saying that
they'll only replace those that fail are just asking for problems down the
road, and I suspect will never really know just how well an SP-600 can play
<grin>.

This one will never win a beauty contest, but it sure plays nicely now.  Just
a few more minor things that I want to work on, but I'm going to play it for
awhile first.


73 de Phil,  KO6BB
991 Different NDB's heard to date.
SWL QSL GALLERY: http://photobucket.com/albums/y123/KO6BB/
THE BEACONEER'S LAIR:    http://www.geocities.com/ko6bb/
Merced, Central California, 37.3N  120.48W  CM97sh