Converting an old Studebaker car radio to a home radio

[dieseljeep]

The radios that had a non-syncronous vibrator would run on either polarity. If you look at the schematics in Riders, they show how to change the polarity connections if the radio did use a syncronous vibrator.
I've seen a radio that was powered by a large 6 volt transformer, that used only half of the primary of the vibrator transformer. It seemed to work OK.

[old_coot88]

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

...The radios that had a non-syncronous vibrator would run on either polarity.

As a side note, they would also run on 6v AC, albeiit with a nasty 'beat note' between the 60 cycle supply and the vibrator speed. (Been there, done that.)

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by old_coot88

As a side note, they would also run on 6v AC, albeiit with a nasty 'beat note' between the 60 cycle supply and the vibrator speed. (Been there, done that.)

I used my Lionel electric train transformer to run car radios at one time.

[Einar72]

I tried hooking AC directly to a de-vibratored 50-51 Ford car radio once. I got a very loud SPLACK as the copper "spark-plate" capacitor promptly did its job, routing the offending AC to ground!

BTW, most vibrators run at 110 Hz, IIRC. Pull the Sams' for that set and find the power xfr ratings, then go buy the closest one you can find. And watch out for the 1-1/2" square copper spark-plare, if used!