Telefunken Bajazzo 55

[Geaney]

I'm finally getting back to the bench. My first project is an interesting mains/battery set. I bought it on eBay so of course there is damage to the cab but fortunately the chassis and glass dial seem to be in good condition. Getting the cab sorted out will be quite a challenge but then that's what makes the hobby enjoyable for me!

Cheers,

John

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPJmqhaq7To&list=TLG6qUboe_VqI

[Geaney]

Some photos of the set.

Cheers, John

[tiv48]

That looks like a nightmare under the chassis with a lot of stuff in a very small space .you are a braver man than me john
good luck.
rob t

[Yorkie]

That looks like a nightmare under the chassis with a lot of stuff in a very small space .you are a braver man than me john
good luck.
rob t

I was thinking the same - very dense rats' nest with a high component count!

One things for certain though - John's solid track record is proof enough that he'll have this set up and running and playing its heart out on youtube err too long.

I love the big Grundigs and Telefunken sets from the late 1950s, but as with John's 'Bajazzo' it's the piano key 'switchery' that gives me the heeby jeebies! I've had a Grundig 3090 WD-3D in the lost for more years than I can remember, awaiting attention. I'd like to think it works but just needs fettling up. Haven't plucked up the courage to stick it on a lamp limiter, which would probably confirm my worst fears

Good luck with the restoration John.

[Robert Darwent]

Hi John,

I've four Telefunken Bajazzo's in my collection, 3 x 56s and a 58, but yet to own a 55. However, they are basically all the same except for minor circuit differences and cosmetic changes.

All my sets were in reasonable order and really only needed a thorough clean, so I resisted the temptation to re-cap and have (so far) left them all original.

They share a good deal in common with the Philips Colette and Clipper models from the same period, so take a look at the attached pdf of a restoration I did a few years ago. It may give you a few pointers with yours.

Best regards

[Robert Darwent]

I should have mentioned this straight away in my earlier reply, but do not attempt to power the set via the mains without first connecting a modern substitute for the DEAC cell (the large yellow rectangular battery).

Without it the LT voltage will rise well above 1.4 volts and destroy all the valve filaments. German 1950s VHF mains/battery sets virtually all use a DEAC for LT voltage stabilisation.

A suitable modern alternative to the DEAC is a ni-cad D cell in a holder, which is the method I used with the Colette in the article.

Best regards,

[Joe]

I agree that the snakeskin looks better than the original scheme.

- Joe

[tiv48]

hi Robert I wonder if you could tell me where you got the covering from?
the last lot I bought was far too thick.
trouble is I have 4 vidore battery portables that need the lids and bottom recovering.
Rob T

[Robert Darwent]

hi Robert I wonder if you could tell me where you got the covering from?

Hi Rob,

I seem to remember it was a fabric shop seller on eBay, but its 3 or 4 years ago now so I'll have to search back through my purchase history and see if I can find the listing. Bear with me!

Regards,

[Robert Darwent]

John,

I've just watched the second YouTube video you've made regarding the Bajazzo's chassis and can answer a few of your questions.

The green and black connectors attached to the two clear D cell holders are original and for connecting to + and - on the DEAC cell. The LT is wired so that the two D cells and the DEAC are all in parallel.

When the set is powered from the mains, the LT from the mains transformer is switched to be parallel with the DEAC instead of the D cells. One of the push buttons at the front is marked 'Laden' ('Charge') and charges the DEAC when the set is plugged into the mains but is otherwise switched off.

The two clip PP9 style connector is for the HT battery which is a 90 volt type (Pertrix 78 or equivalent as per the Colette) and held securely in place with the strap and buckle arrangement in front of the DEAC.

By the way. the two pin moulded mains plug which you cut off needs to be inserted into appropriate holes on the power supply board when the set is battery powered. The plug operates a mains/battery changeover switch. Take a look at how the mains plug is inserted in the power supply board in my Colette article, its exactly the same for the Bajazzo.

Regards,