I've been bored and I'm broke so I'm trying to refurbish my vibrator in my 6volt radio. I've taken it apart and replaced the wiring and cleaned the contacts. The vibrator works now but all of the insulation between the points has fallen apart. Because it doesnt have the spacers the sides are sticking and its not vibrating right. I'm wondering if by chance anyone might have a cut away view of the four prong mallory vibrator showing were the original insulation for the points plates were. I believe the insulation was just glued in place it was in they were in tiny pieces when I opend it up. I'll post some pics later today.
Heres some pics of the vibrator once removed from case. I believe some of the insulation went into the small u indent just below the coil. just dont know how.
If you Google "radio vibrator" there is quite a bit of info, including references to solid state replacements.
If you cleaned the contacts with a regular file it may have ruined them. They have a coating that keeps them from sticking. They have to be cleaned with a special file.
I cleaned the contacts with 1000 grit. Its vibrating now. I'm getting a slight hum from the speaker but no static. the radio may have some bad resistors.
Here are links to some help http://members.cox.net/dcosby1/Autoinfo.htm.htm http://www.radioremembered.org/vpwrsup.htm never mind the email Electrolytic capacitors is what leaks out the fluid and goes bad. Usually you can order the caps and cans as a kit from these radio electronic places on the web. http://www.justradios.com/capkits.html Best place for tubes is ebay sometimes I've got a 4 prong vibrator but it's 12 volt.
Look around under terms like "contact burnisher" and "Flexstone"...these are abrasive strips with very fine grit actually made for cleaning points without either excess material removal from the platinum/whatever layer or ridges from too-coarse grit.
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