Hi
I have a large Weldon Radio, a big one about 1m tall. It has a plate on the valves on the back that says model 537 dw. I am not sure if it is the valves model or what.

I don't think I can post a photo here so I will try to give a bit of a description of it. On the front It has a small light globe then a large dial to look at the radio stations behind glass(?) then four dial below, a large white cover where the speaker is with two pieces of wood over it. The back is open with the valves and speaker. Sorry about the bad description.

I am trying to find out any information about it and its age and what it is worth.

Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks,

Michelle.

Michelle,

If you e-mail any photos you'd like published to me I will upload them within 24 hours. Click my username to see my profile page which includes my e-mail address.

Your radio sounds like a console model and these are generally worth between $50 and around $300 for most of them. Ones with fancy legs and built-in grammophone turntables can be worth more.

According to radiomuseum.org there was a variety of Weldon 5/37 models from battery, to mantel to "lowboy" console. Although the 5/37DW is not listed, from your description yours sounds like a lowboy console version.

Perhaps DW stands for dual wave (i.e. broadcast and short wave bands).

They were manufactured in 1937.

Thanks for your replies. I emailed the radio museum and he could not tell me any specific details.

It is great it is that old. When we plug it in, all the valves begin to light up and the front dial lights up green, however, we can not get any sound. Is there any tricks I can try?

Does anyone know of somewhere reputable and reasonably priced where I might be able to take it for repairs or to see how much it would cost to repair. We love and it would really love it to work.

*** Caution: Valve radios operate on very high (lethal) voltages, so under no circumstances touch any part of the chassis while it is plugged in to the mains.

Radiomuseum.org is a website based overseas (Switzerland or Germany?) I think you may have have contacted Ian O'Toole's Radio Museum at Kurrajong.

The fact that your unit lights up without emitting smoke, foul odours and/or loud bangs is encouraging.

Looking at the photo, it seems to have a magic eye feature (above the circular tuning dial) which, if working, assists with accurate tuning into the stations, especially long distance/short wave stations.

If there's no sound it could be because of a range or combination of things, from fairly simple to not so simple. It also depends to some extent on whether your unit is original or has been restored by somebody in the past, and if so how long ago.

Electronic equipment that hasn't been used for years tends to develop faults in components that deteriorate when not used for a long time, especially electrolytic capacitors (which are the things that can explode with a bang).

Other typical problems of aging include insulation that has turned brittle or powdery, and rubber parts that have perished. Solder joints can go "dry", etc, etc ...

Also, just because a valve "lights up" does not mean that it is functioning correctly.

As for repairs, you could try ringing ...

MB Electronics
277 Victoria Rd,
Marrickville
(02) 9568-3248

... I think they are still in business.

A photo of the chassis would perhaps be useful. The light bulb above the dial is in fact a tuning indicator.

Never should one of these radio's be plugged in and turned on with out inspection. There are components that will often present as a short circuit and explode, or do serious damage to other components or burn.

I repair valve radio's as a hobby and would have had dozens of sets, where, after inspecting them, I would not even entertain the thought of powering them up in any way.

I have one on the bench at the moment that fitted that category. It had been severely modified by someone that had no idea of the ramifications, or subsequent damage that resulted, from their act.

http://www.radiomuseum.org/ has Weldon listings; the only set that has the "Magic eye" is the DE

It may be an idea to aquire a copy of the circuit

Marc

Hi Michelle,

As Marc posted, this model is most likely the 5/37DE as it is the only one listed with a magic eye. If this is the case, the valve lineup should be; EK2, 6D6, 6B7S, 42 and 80.

The magic eye valve should be a 6E5 or a 6G5.

If you require a circuit diagram, there several members of this group who can supply one.

Cheers, Graham...

Graham, thanks for the second opinion that the model could be the DE.

I would suggest that the next step is to physically compare the DE circuit to the set and in the meantime keep its plug out of a socket.

Marc

Michelle,

I have the circuit schematic for the 537 DE if you would like it.

If you "unhide" your email address in your profile, I'll try to send it to you.

Thanks everyone for your reply. Sorry but I have not been online for a bit.

We won't plug it in again. It is in a nice spot in our house until we can get it fixed.

I would love a copy of the diagram. I have unhid my email (i think).

Thanks
Michelle

Okay, diagram sent