1942 Zenith Radio

[objectivedays]

Hello,

I purchased a 1942 Zenith console over the weekend and I'm trying to find some information on it. It needs a new power cord and a tuning belt. I hope that it still works after I fix those two problems. The model number is 12H691 chassis #12B2. I can't find any information on that model number. I can find quite a bit of information for the radio model #12H689(I believe they are similar) which is a tall cabinet, but the radio I have is a coffee table style cabinet. I will try and post some pictures tonight, I'm hoping someone here will be able to tell me a little bit about this radios history or a good source for information. Thanks.

Allen

[Plexi]

There are alot of old radio sites. most will have any of the info or mauels for a few dollars. I think the Zenith go by model and number of tubes.
Your 12H691 should be a 12 tube radio. It may be the same chassis used in a table model,as in the taller model. I'm far from knowing much about them,but just wanted to let you know.
this place sell the manels..10.00

http://www.agtannenbaum.com/z_cat.html


Parts repro etc.

http://www.gn4radios.com/gn_repro.htm

Also Antique Electronics has some grill clot,and other places.

mostly check if it has old caps,if your fixing the rest of it.And replace them.

You can go here and look..they have about every radio you can imagine..
click the archive pics. Z1 etc for zenith..
http://archives.radioattic.com/archive_z4.htm

i think i crossed a tube list somewhere..can't find it now.

Richie

Richie

[Ethan]

There's also a website called, I believe, Nostalgia Air that has lots of info, and a shop her e in NYC called Waves L.L.C. that has helped me with old radio info. While you're at it, look online (Bookfinder.com, maybe) for a 1942 Rider's Perpetual Troubleshooter's Manual. That might have everything you need.

Happy hunting-
Ethan

[objectivedays]

Thanks guys,

I fired it up for the first time tonight and picked up a couple of radio stations with it, I'm really excited. My biggest concern is finding a tuning belt for it. While searching I found some that came $0.90/foot. The problem is that you have to cut it to length and glue the two ends together. I would be afraid that I wouldn't be able to get it tight enough. Anyone had any luck with this set up or know a better way. I know that a lot of the old radios have string for the tuning belt, but same problem, I'm not sure how to tighten it. Thanks agian.

[Plexi]

If its the string stuff, i may have some. I'll have to dig through my junk and see if i still have it. I bought out some old TV shops,and had all kinds of weird stuff. Selenium rectos,record player motors,needles. belts and dial cord. They had model numbers on them,so i have no idea if it would fit yours. but if i can find it,and you can use them,you can have them.
I have no use for them,just kept them,with all my other junk i will probably never have a use for..LOL I think i have a few old tuners that also have some dial cord.

Richie

[objectivedays]

Richie,

Thanks for the offer, I apprectiate it. I did find an old belt from a junk tape deck I found laying around. It works, maybe not the best, but it works. My next goal is to fix the record player, the motor seems to be working and everything seems to be in order. The problem I'm finding is that the pole that goes through the center of the turn table seems to be frozen up. I've put some lube on it and its gotten better, but it still isn't free enough to be turned by the motor alone. I think I'm going to go ahead and order the manuel for this radio/phono player, I'm not even sure how this thing even works, it's not quite the tipical record player. Thanks again. Have a good day.

Allen