Pilot 245A gear refurb project

[Boston Tom]

Hi all need some help acquiring info regarding a pilot 245A integrated Amp.
Just got it opened it up looks to have some fried wiring issue coming off the pots.
There is some rust water damage on a few of the pots but some may be salvaged. I plan on doing a full re-wire with all new tubes and caps maybe sockets if needed. Any build info whether a service manual or build sheet would be great.
Again any info would be helpful. Been trying the webs but there are so many wrong turns
Not sure which site to use.
Pics for appreciation of what’s involved.
Thanks
Cheers,
BT

 

[FlaCharlie]

Yeah, that will need some serious restoration. It looks like it may have survived a flood or something.

Here's the Sams in pdf, which can be enlarged to show detail.

 

[cademan]

Wiring doesn't look fried to me, just really dirty and some rust and maybe had a rat living inside.

One of the output tubes looks broken. White top is big clue.

Power and output transformers are probably fine but test with a meter to be sure. It could use a capacitor refresh.

 

[JohnT123]

That looks like a pretty standard rehab. It's been sitting exposed to the elements but not any kind of flood. Too clean on the bottom for that. A barn, a shed or a crawl space will do that to gear.

Still, there's a lot of work ahead. Those carbon comps likely sucked up a lot of moisture and you'll want to clean up the transformers if only for cosmetic reasons. I have heard various opinions on transformer rust from amateurs and professionals. Sockets and pots may also need some TLC to remove corrosion/oxidization.

Lucky devil!

 

[Dswankey]

One of the output tubes looks broken. White top is big clue.

Good catch I didn't notice that the first time around.

 

[Boston Tom]

Wiring doesn't look fried to me, just really dirty and some rust and maybe had a rat living inside.

One of the output tubes looks broken. White top is big clue.

Power and output transformers are probably fine but test with a meter to be sure. It could use a capacitor refresh.

yes that one was broken at the bottom by the pins. Appreciate the keen eye.

 

[gadget73]

I might consider baking the whole unit upside-down at low temp (150F or so) for a while to cook out any moisture just to be safe. Mostly this would be for the transformers. The resistors are probably a lost cause, but they likely would be anyway. Honestly I'd give heavy consideration to just shotgunning them. New ones are a lot quieter anyway.

For the transformers, last ones I had that were crusty I very lightly wire brushed them to get the loose garbage off the lam stacks. The end bells you can sand or do whatever you like with to get them smooth. Shoot with fresh paint and call it good.

 

[knockbill]

Here's a couple pics of the RCA PA/Movie amp I rebuilt, condition similar to yours... It takes a while, but you'll get it!!!
Good luck...

 

[Boston Tom]

Here's a couple pics of the RCA PA/Movie amp I rebuilt, condition similar to yours... It takes a while, but you'll get it!!!as
Good luck...[/q As.
Wow great work! Now I have something to aspire to. Most of what looks like rust on the pilot is just a lot of surface crud that will clean up easy enough. It’s the pots i.e. volume controls and bass and treble I’m a bit concerned with whether to search for replacements or some NOS parts. But will test all as I do the tear down.
Thanks
BT

 

[knockbill]

Yep,,, its a good idea to bake the TXs as was mentioned, to dry it out as well as possible,,, it dried these out pretty well... I replaced all the caps and carbon resistors also...This one runs Vp at 580V IIRC, and the windings dried enough to work OK...