CARS, MOTOR BIKES & RADIOS

WARNING

AS WITH ANY SECOND-HAND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE OLD VALVE RADIOS SHOULD BE INSPECTED, CHECKED FOR DAMAGE AND ELECTRICALLY TESTED BY A COMPETENT, QUALIFIED PERSON BEFORE BEING PLACED INTO SERVICE.

SOME COMPONENTS IN OLD VALVE RADIOS DETERIORATE WITH AGE AND CAN BECOME DANGEROUS.

THE POWER PLUG SHOULD BE CHECKED TO ENSURE IT IS WIRED CORRECTLY AND THE CABLE INSULATION INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE.

THE FACTORY FITTED 2 WIRE POWER CABLE FITTED TO MOST OLD RADIOS DOES NOT MEET MODERN SAFETY STANDARDS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH MODERN THREE WIRE CABLE THAT CONTAINS A PROPERLY TERMINATED EARTH WIRE. HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS USED IN THE RADIO CAN BECOME ELECTRICALLY LEAKY WITH AGE, MAY OVERHEAT AND CAN EXPLODE VIOLENTLY. SUCH LEAKAGE CAN ALSO CAUSE THE POWER TRANSFORMER TO OVERHEAT AND SET FIRE TO THE RADIO.

PAPER CAPACITORS USED IN THE RADIO ALSO ARE PONE TO ELECTRICAL LEAKAGE, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING. HIGH VOLTAGES USED IN THE RADIO REPRESENT AN EXTREME SHOCK HAZARD AND CAN KILL.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE OR WORK ON THE OLD RADIO WHILE IT IS CONNECTED TO THE POWER MAINS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT SOME RADIOS ARE INTENDED TO OPERATED ON LOW VOLTAGE, e.g. 32 VOLTS DC. SOME OTHERS MAY BE AC/DC SETS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE A POWER TRANSFORMER AND ONE WIRE OF THE MAINS CABLE IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE CHASSIS. IF THE CABLE IS INCORRECTLY WIRED THE EXPOSED CHASSIS WILL BECOME LIVE WHICH REPRESENTS AN EXTREME SHOCK HAZARD.

OLD VALVE RADIOS ARE A FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD NOT BE LEFT TURNED ON WHEN SOMEONE IS NOT PRESENT.

NEVER LIFT AN OLD BAKELITE CASED RADIO BY THE TOP. COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF CABINETS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY DOING SO. ALWAYS LIFT USING TWO HANDS AROUND THE SIDES AND BASE.