Juliette Radio Model 3184 - Low Output (Not sure)

Juliette Radio Model 3184

I picked up the above radio at Goodwill and the volume although adequate seems to be low at maximum setting and there was a buzz in the background. I substituted two 500 uF electrolytics with two 330 uF for testing only and the buzz problem was fixed. If I decide to keep the radio, I will use 500 uF capacitors.

1. Does someone know what to expect for volume levels? I realize alignment can be an issue, but should I check on something else? Or, maybe this model was designed for a lower wattage output.

2. Can someone link me with Service/Operating/ Schematics/Parts material for this radio?

I don’t have test equipment, only a VOM.

Thanks,
Jerry

Hi Jerry, welcome.

Is this your radio?

http://r.ebay.com/ZS9VGk

I couldn't find a "3184".

Even if it isn't your radio, the vast majority of the time replacing all of the electrolytic capacitors will restore full functionality as they "dry out" after so many years, and those radios didn't use the best quality components to begin with. Transistor radios used electrolytics to couple stages as well as the basic filtering and blocking as found in other radios.

Service info may be tough to find, Juliette and others were off shore built and supplied to chain stores like Woolworth's etc, a quick buy for consumers who didn't want to spend a lot.

Other thoughts to consider, make sure the batteries are fresh and their contacts are clean (so there is not any unwanted voltage drops).

The earphone jack change over contacts could be dirty, rapidly plugging/unplugging a plug into it may burnish (clean) the contacts.

There may be dirty switches as well, or even an electronic circuitry issue, but as I said, most of the time it is those darn electrolytics hurting performance.

Welcome to TRF, Jerry.

WC

Yes, the link you provided is the radio I have. Thanks for looking it up. I plan to change the lytics and I have new batteries.

I checked Rider’s Index and it was not listed. I wonder if Sams Photofact would have it? Not sure if I can find out on the Internet.

Jerry

Your best bet would be to do some searches on the net using the radio's brand and model number. The instruction sets with schematics for these old units come up for sale occasionally. Some folks post the schematics also. Good luck!

Thanks for your help. The circuit board is very compact and difficult to work on.  After my last post I took the radio apart to see what I would need to do. Removing the electrolytics and identifying the polarity of their positions would not be easy to do.    Without a schematic and parts list to back me up, I hesitate to go further.   And, what I paid for the unit would not justify the time I would need to replace the capacitors if I could.

I did Google with the information I had and nothing turned up.  
Jerry

Look at the electrolytics carefully. Usually the side with the negative is marked on the side many times with an arrow pointing toward the bottom and there will be minuses on the arrow line. They marked them like this to ease manufacture. Dr. radio is right about the dirty contacts. If you can get to them they usually can be cleaned of the tarnish using a brush and 91% isopropyl alcohol. After you clean them and lett hem dry, work the switches and controls. Many times that will get it operating under battery power. The switch contacts are usually silver plated and tarnished. Thje alcohol really cleans them up.

Jerry R. wrote:Yes, the link you provided is the radio I have.  Thanks for looking it up.  I plan to change the lytics and I have new batteries.

I checked Rider’s Index and it was not listed.  I wonder if Sams Photofact would have it?  Not sure if I can find out on the Internet.

Jerry

Jerry,

The radio is waaay to new for Riders. Riders only covers up to about 1955. Your radio is mid to late 60s. SAMS may possibly have it, may be worth looking into. Sometimes larger public libraries have listings for Photofacts.