The label on the chassis definitely reads as "189". Intriguingly though, the serial number on the label on the base has been written in with a red pen.

Chris

It doesn't have a ARTS&P sticker anywhere that I can see.

I forgot to mention this before though in many of the last valve receivers and some of the early solid state ones, the ARTS&P was a piece of light cardboard like the old green rail tickets rather than a transfer. During this era most were blue, as per GTC's example though I have also seen orange ones.

The cardboard ones were stuck somewhere inside with a very small dab of PVA glue. Many of them would have fallen off due to the heat from the valves causing the glue to fail.

Also interesting to note the mention of 60cps on the outer label, as does mine. I wasn't aware that we had 60Hz supply anywhere here in the period that the 11-99 covered.

Perhaps an export opportunity? The US springs to mind as one of few places that offer 240V at 60Hz though such outlets don't appear commonplace there when compared to the more common 110V outlets.

Perhaps one of our American members could confirm that and also if they recollect ever seeing Kriesler radios there with localised tuning dials.

All this discussion of serial numbers has drifted away from Chris's original problem, his need for a volume knob. When I first saw this radio it struck me how similar the knob is to a lipstick cap. People have made quite acceptable knobs from plastic Coke bottle caps with a bit of epoxy and paint. A quick browse through the cosmetics dept may well turn up a lipstick cap of the right design and possibly even a close match to the beige colour. The only problem might be that most lipsticks would be a bit too large, the original knob is more lipbalm size. Let us know if you need a good photo and the size.

Hi Scraps,

Luckily, I've been contacted by someone who is happy to send me one from one of his "parts" 11-99s. The idea with a lipstick cap is good though. I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to replicate a more simplistic knob with some plastic hobby (modelling) glue, scrap plastic, hobby knife and paint!

I don't mind the "off-topicness" of this thread - it's actually quite interesting and informative.

Chris

Chris
Cant help with a knob.

Mine is s/n 34968. uses 3 valves & a diode.
Power tranny says 24 Mar 1972

The circuit inside the case shows a 6v4, but its a diode.

Ben

I don't regard this thread as off topic as you did ask:

When did production of these begin?

Glad you found a knob.

Brad: We need a way of closing wanted threads when the item is obtained.

Maybe this would be better moved to one of the other forums, since the discussion is now focused around model years and serial numbers? I'll change the title.

Chris

Sorry guys, I've changed the title back - there is a technical reason as to why it needs to remain once the second comment in a thread has been posted.

I will programme a 'fix' for this soon.

As there seems to be a difference of opinion on what constitutes an off-topic discussion I'll try and clarify what should be the case and I will refer to many previous threads to establish a precedent.

Basically, providing an original poster's question is answered or there is a likelihood that it is unable to be answered it is okay to talk about, for example, other matters relating to the same radio, as has taken place in this thread.

Where a discussion drifts into a completely unrelated subject, this is when I would be more inclined to intervene and either begin a new thread from the post that caused the diversion or close the thread and delete the offending post - depending on the severity of the diversion and the new matter being discussed.

All the comments here relate to the Kriesler 11-99 so I am inclined at this point in time to allow all comments to stand.

Here's a summary of the information so far:

Serial Numbers:
189 - 6 Aug 1965 on transformer
16310 - approx Mar 1969 - 6V4 rectifier and caps marked 059 and 079, ARTS&P label AA 879187
17412 - 6V4 rectifier, wax caps marked xx6 and ARTS&P label AA 998629
20893 - 18 Nov 1969 on IF can - silicon diode rectifier
24787 - 4 Aug 1970 silicon diode rectifier
34968 - 24 Mar 1972
38406 - 19 July 1972
46591 - 25 Apr 1974

Production starts around July 1965. Congratulations Chris with what may be the earliest surviving 11-99!

I'm having trouble reconciling the ages of s/n 16310 and 17412 as these two don't have date stamps. With production generally exceeding 5000 units per year, s/n 16310 fits with an early 1969 build date.
s/n 17412 should be from around April-June 1969 if we ignore the capacitor dates.

The last 3 serial numbers have a fairly even progression of age versus serial number. I can't see this model being on sale much longer than late 1972 given the manufacturing costs of a valve radio at such a late date.

I also find it interesting that my 1969 and 1970 radios both use waxed paper capacitors despite Kriesler and their corporate owners Philips having switched to polyester capacitors in their products years before. I assume this was a conscience decision in the interests of cost cutting as wax caps would have been substantially cheaper.

s/n 17412 should be from around April-June 1969 if we ignore the capacitor dates.

Note that the output transformer is stamped JE9. That could indicate June 1969.

I also find it interesting that my 1969 and 1970 radios both use waxed paper capacitors

If my caps are indeed from 1966, then it tends to indicate that Krieser had a ton of wax caps in stock going back years. Maybe they got a big cheap load from Ducon?

And, if 1969 is correct, then those ARST&P stickers were around a lot longer than some people believe.

I think you're onto something with the transformer code GTC.

I've checked mine, the 11-90 from 1963 has K?3 on the OP transformer, 20893 from 18 NOV 1969 has JJ9 and 38406 from 19 JULY 1972 has JH2. It would seem the numeral indicates the year but I haven't cracked a code for the letters yet.

The capacitor codes not matching might end up remaining as one of life's little mysteries. 20893 from 11 NOV 1969 definitely has (wax/paper) caps coded 359 so if they'd been using up old stock they ordered in a new batch in late 1969. I also note that 16310 from early 1969 also had xx9 caps. I wonder if they were running a second assembly line somewhere with older stock or maybe just found a few old boxes and used them up.

Sounds about right Scraps - my 1965 11-99 has "JH5" stamped on the transformer.

Chris

I haven't cracked a code for the letters yet.

The first letter may be month code:

A: Jan
B: Feb
C: Mar
D: Apr
E: May
F: Jun
G: Jul
H: Aug
I: Sep
J: Oct
K: Nov
L: Dec

The letter I may have been skipped:

J: Sep
K: Oct
L: Nov
M: Dec