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Some time in the distant past, though while I've been here at CenterStaging, a client of mine had given me a vintage Altec Lansing 316A Tuner. Very crusty, of course all tubes. I just recently ordered a 6CL8A tube for it, which arrived this past week. It was also missing a 12AT7, so I just today pulled the bottom cover off of it, to have a look inside. Took some photos of it after I had slowly brought up the AC Mains voltage on it, over the course of a couple hours. While I was doing that, I found it very peculiar NOT seeing any Mains Fuse on the Primary. 2-wire Zip Cord, molded plug, went thru a slide-switch type Power Switch, connected with a 2-wire Outlet. When I finally got it up to 120VAC, I was measuring 165VDC, pulling 335mA/34.5W @ 120VAC. I finally found the date code on the power transformer....I'd assume it be from Peerless Transformers, as they've traditionally produced all the transformers for Altec, being owned by Altec 6311 Date code....1963 11th week.
Yup, this looks every bit 59+ years old.
I hadn't noticed any UL Sticker on the chassis, which seemed odd, but then while taking photos of the top side of the chassis, I found it was silkscreened on the corner, just above the AC Mains Outlet. And on that power xfmr is where I found the date code. Horrible solder job on the Capcan that's inside, part of the half-wave rectifier/filter from the xfmr's secondary.
I had a 300 ohm Antenna tacked in place up on the wall, and fetched the end of it, connected it to the antenna terminals, and.....low and behold....it works.
I haven't been able to find a data sheet nor the 4-page service document that is typical of Altec products like this. I have one of their 3" thick Green Binders loaded with all of their tube mixers, tube power amps, Voice of the Theater products, etc. This predates that binder.
Have to wonder HOW did this get UL Approval with NO AC Mains protection? I had connected it thru a fused power strip, just in case, not knowing WHEN this was last powered. No idea WHERE I will park it. My bench is full, and don't really like the idea of placing it atop the B & K 2010/1902 Audio Analyzer, adding further tip-over possibilities if we get any major earthquakes here in LA.
Anyone out there have older Altec Service Doc's, that might have this product? Thanks in advance.
Yup, this looks every bit 59+ years old.
I hadn't noticed any UL Sticker on the chassis, which seemed odd, but then while taking photos of the top side of the chassis, I found it was silkscreened on the corner, just above the AC Mains Outlet. And on that power xfmr is where I found the date code. Horrible solder job on the Capcan that's inside, part of the half-wave rectifier/filter from the xfmr's secondary.
I had a 300 ohm Antenna tacked in place up on the wall, and fetched the end of it, connected it to the antenna terminals, and.....low and behold....it works.
I haven't been able to find a data sheet nor the 4-page service document that is typical of Altec products like this. I have one of their 3" thick Green Binders loaded with all of their tube mixers, tube power amps, Voice of the Theater products, etc. This predates that binder.
Have to wonder HOW did this get UL Approval with NO AC Mains protection? I had connected it thru a fused power strip, just in case, not knowing WHEN this was last powered. No idea WHERE I will park it. My bench is full, and don't really like the idea of placing it atop the B & K 2010/1902 Audio Analyzer, adding further tip-over possibilities if we get any major earthquakes here in LA.
Anyone out there have older Altec Service Doc's, that might have this product? Thanks in advance.
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