philco: Mystery Control: Questions

Hello, Dear Radio Collectors.  I just got one of these fascinating devices and have a few questions.  First, my unit came with a 67.5 v. B battery in it.  However, the model page shows it uses a 45 V. battery.  Which is correct?

Second, the dial is slghtly warped in one spot.  It seems to be made of some sort of plastic.  Does anyone have any recommendations on how to flatten it out?  Is that even possible without damaging it?

Third, does anyone have a picture that shows how the batteries were placed inside the unit?  Apparently, there was a separate plug for the batteries which is missing from mine.  Someone just soldered two D cells together for the A battery and then poked the wires into the 4 pin plug.

Fourth, while I'm waiting for a radio that matches this remote control, does anyone have an idea of how to test it to see if it works?

I'm also looking for a schmatic for it.

Thanks!

To thank the Author because you find the post helpful or well done.

I feel a bit silly answering my own questions, but since I first posted this I've resolved most of these issues.  The correct battery is actually 45 v.  In fact it is a special "combo" battery with both A and B voltages in one box and a custom 4 pin jack that matches the plug in the unit.  Apparently the previous owner only had a 67 v. battery (or was trying to get greater range).  One of our members makes very nice looking repro batteries for this unit.

I also found a nice Philco 39-116 radio which should be arriving soon.  This is one of the models that the Mystery Control worked with.  And another member very kindly uploaded the schematic.

All I'm left with is figuring out how to unwarp the dial.  I may just leave it alone rather than risk making it worse.

To thank the Author because you find the post helpful or well done.

hi michele, have you thought of sending a market request for a replacement on forum, you never know , some member might just be parting out a model with the self same dial , in it.its worth a try , regards maitiu.

To thank the Author because you find the post helpful or well done.

Well, I'm not too optimistic but I took your advice, Maitu.  We'll see - you never know :-)

To thank the Author because you find the post helpful or well done.

Regarding the warped Mystery Control dials: They are made of catalin (I believe) and are prone to warping. I would not advise trying to un-warp the dial, because that could potentially ruin or break the dial, and you probably don't want to end up having to find a replacement.

Faced with the same poroblem, here's what I did to resolve the issue of the warped dial binding. I went to the hardware store and bought three small, thin metal washers with holes that would be slightly bigger than the screws, and two fiber washers of about the same size. 

The first step was to remove the pointer by unscrewing the two screws that hold it in place on the underside. Care and gentility must be used because these old plastic parts can break if too much force is used. 

The second step was to remove the dial by first unscrewing the center piece that covers the three screws that hold the dial to the mechanism. This was difficult because trying to unscrew it with just my fingers was not working and I did not want to risk breaking the center piece or the dial. I ended up making a "handle" by using heavy duty duct tape which I attached to the center piece, keeping a folded tab in the center to act as the handle. That made it possible to remove the screw cover with relative ease. I then carefully unscrewed the three screws that hold the dial in place, and with my fingers gently pried it up and off.

I put a washer over each of the three screw holes and then replaced the dial and screwed in the screws. This gave enough of a lift to the dial that it no longer rubbed against the base. Finish by replacing the center screw cover.

Next, I put a fiber washer over each of the screw holes between the bottom of the pointer and the metal piece on the underside that the pointer screws into. This gave the pointer enough lift to allow the dial to spin and also hold the dial when the pointer is depressed.

A drop or two of 3-In-1 oil on the pivots and gears helped make the gear mechanism spin freely.

Don't forget to use a piece of steel wool or fine sandpaper to remove any corrosion from the contact points before putting the box back together.

Hopefully this hack will work as well for you as it did for me.

To thank the Author because you find the post helpful or well done.