View Full Version : Detrola PeeWee Portable 282


bandersen
07-10-2010, 12:04 AM
I picked this little guy up a few days ago. It's not really my thing (almost all my other radios are Philco, Sparton, Motorola or RCA), but it looked sad and neglected and it was only $5 :)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4779209424_72c05edca5_b.jpg

The outer material (tolex ?) is in good shape as is the dial face, speaker, chassis etc. The only real problems I can see are a missing knob and back.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4779210036_6418d3fdae.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4779210328_c2fcdf8185.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4778575113_52a9f62d2b_b.jpg

I figure it would have used batteries like these :scratch2: The "A" cell fits perfectly into the plug. Too bad these batteries are long dead.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4779273178_fa5b4eeeff.jpg

The schematic at Nostalgia Air was barely readable, but I found a better version in a Beitman's Most-Often-Needed Radio Schematics for 1940.

I did a quick recap - only 6 capacitors. I tested a few resistors and they were 25% high or so, but I've been reading that it's best to try out a radio before bothering with replacing them. After my last few radio projects, I'm a believer.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4778574929_a31a46dbe1.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4779211292_8263107e4b.jpg

Then, rigged up a D cell for the filament, an HP dual variable supply for the 90 volt supply and a 3' lead for an antenna. Once I turned it one, it starting playing almost immediately :music: Really it's more like :rant: these days. I could only find music on one station.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4778576303_57503b9e4d_b.jpg

Alas, my success was short lived as the dial cord snapped :tears: Oh well, I have some new string to make one from.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4779273022_815b0baf9f.jpg

Anyone have a spare matching knob ?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4778576925_45092d6702.jpg



It's nice to finish a project (more or less) in one evening after all those TVs!

Reece
07-10-2010, 06:33 AM
Knobs: which one? I have some like the one on the right you can have. Are these half flat shafts or? If the left one is it, try sending a PM to Mike Koste of Gobs of Knobs, along with pic. His handle on VK is ekimetsok. Might have one.

http://www.videokarma.org/member.php?u=3886

BTW, I'll have a Guinness, please.

Sandy G
07-10-2010, 07:13 AM
Awwww, how CUUUTE ! (grin) Yeah, I'd try that Mike Koste guy, too. Did you clean the chassis up, or was it just real nice like that ? Great score !

marty59
07-10-2010, 09:33 AM
What tubes does this model use?

electroking
07-10-2010, 02:01 PM
The converter must be 1A7GT, others I don't remember. Much cheaper to replace
than a 1L6!

bandersen
07-10-2010, 06:30 PM
Knobs: which one? I have some like the one on the right you can have. Are these half flat shafts or? If the left one is it, try sending a PM to Mike Koste of Gobs of Knobs, along with pic. His handle on VK is ekimetsok. Might have one.

http://www.videokarma.org/member.php?u=3886

BTW, I'll have a Guinness, please.
I need anther knob like the one on the left. I'll give him a try. Here ya go :beer:

Awwww, how CUUUTE ! (grin) Yeah, I'd try that Mike Koste guy, too. Did you clean the chassis up, or was it just real nice like that ? Great score !
The chassis was that clean when I got it :)

What tubes does this model use?
This sets uses four tubes - 1A7, 1N5, 1H5 and 1L5.