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Zenith 808 Finished

4/13/2014

4 Comments

 
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The 808 has 3 bands. The first short wave band includes the expanded Broadcast spectrum so you can get all of the AM stations. It has 6 tubes including an RF amp (pre IF). I had to rewind the power transformer which gave me a chance to adjust for our 125 volt mains voltage. Everything runs cool now.
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Can't seem to find a vendor for original speaker cones that aren't rock-hard. So I started making them (vacuum formed). The foam surround cones actually sound better, better than the originals, but like electrolytic caps, one of these days, somebody is going to have to replace that foam suspension - again. I prefer to do things once, even if it means that somebody isn't going to pay me to do it again.


These radio have a lot of "stick  caps" in them,  a foil capacitor wound on a stick with the end terminals crimped to the stick. Ever restuffed a "stick cap'?



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Every dogbone resistor needed to be replaced. Like the new bones'? They are the same size as the originals, but on the average, rated at least 4X the original wattage. Small values are wirewound, to about 1.5K ohms.
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Chassis before and after
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We're going to keep this one, for now, but we have a fine example of its little brother, the 807 on the for sale page.


Russ


P.S. Besides Harry L's Very rare Detrola, I am working on a Gilfillan    with a chassis like an Allwave  Super 6T. The cabinet has solid sides and top and a very unusual design. I'll get some pictures posted soon. I'd like to see if anyone has seen either of these radios.
4 Comments
Stephen Zumbehl
4/24/2018 05:16:49 pm

We just acquired an 808A from our neighbor. It works but does not time in. Can this be repaired and would you be willing to do so. Thanks

Reply
Russ
4/27/2018 03:06:32 pm

There is not much that can't be repaired. I'm sure your radio is no exception.

We can no longer accept "paid" work. Since "retiring", I have not renewed my business license or insurance. Which leads me to point out that you should find a restorer that has both.

The 808 is a very desirable radio for both the general public and collectors.

Reply
Eric Sandberg
8/27/2020 01:28:00 pm

I know it has been a few years since you restored this 808. Do you remember how you removed the needle in the front tuner dial?

Reply
Russ
9/3/2020 08:16:14 am

There is a very small screw holding the pointer in place. I will often grab the pointer, gently, at the same time, turning the screw. Applying very slight twisting force to the center of the pointer in the same direction as the screw driver to loosen the screw. It is easy to damage the pointer and a slip can damage the dial. Be careful.

Russ

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CUSTOM DESIGN BY SUE WEBB  06/2013       Redesigned by Russ Webb     Approved by Fuzzy   Updated:  Pretty much all the time, but I forget to change this date
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Photos used under Creative Commons from valart2008, rafeejewell