[Hallicrafters] S-38C Volume Control & Other probs

[Richard Bidwell]

Hi group  --  This is my first use of this list and I hope for the 
best.  I have a humble S-38C which a friend gave to me, "barn fresh".  I 
did the usual things like replacing a tube, changing out all the paper 
and electro caps, and cleaning it up, and it worked - kind of.  Then it 
just quit.  I  also cleaned the pot with standard cleaner but the pot 
seems beyond salvage - drop outs, noise, etc. According to the schematic 
it takes a 2 M pot; where does  one find such?  I have checked all the 
supply houses I know of - AES, Ocean State, Mouser, etc., and all have 
switch pots up to 1 M, but no 2 M.  Any solutions?

Next,  the 220 Ohm resistor that feeds the B+ line gets very hot very 
quickly indicating excessive power draw. I've checked the various caps 
in the circuit that could be leaking and they seem to be good except for 
the funny 5 segment ceramic cap that seems a bit suspicious. Is such a 
beast available anywhere or is it a matter of putting in a stand-alone 
cap if a segment is bad?  Is this kind of thing unusual or is the S-38C 
subject to any other   unique problems?  Any and all suggestions, 
advice, guidance or anything else would be most welcome  Cheers, Dick B., VA