Mr Carlson's Lab
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Understanding Series And Parallel Circuits!
🕑 Added 2025-01-02 15:54:08 +0000 UTCUnderstand how the filament circuits work in AA5 and AA6 radio receivers, "transformerless sets," holiday lamp strings, IE: "Christmas lights," both incandescent, LED and more. See how changing the current of one bulb (or tube) affects the entire string (series configuration), and how it doesn't affect a parallel configuration.
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Comments
Reid Braswell
For AC operated sets one could use 3 volt versions instead of 6 volt and modify to run in series with another 3 volt tube. For example if you have 2 IF tubes and needed a 6 volt tube but only had 3 volt versions, then you could modify the heater wiring to run 2 in series drawing 600ma total. (You would need filament bypass capacitors or inductor in the heater string for high frequencies). The 6 volt versions typically take 300ma run in parallel adding up to 600ma (same difference). Price checking might reveal if 3 volt versions are any cheaper.
Mr Carlson's Lab
Yes, a DC "filtered" circuit would make many of these radios hum free.
George Clevenger
As a former teacher of automotive electrical systems, the terminology you used in explanation of series circuits ( individual bulb current "draw") gave me pause for a bit. Knowing that current flow is the same everywhere in a series circuit seemed at conflict with your explanation. Just an observation. I watched the video several times to get comfortable with the terminology. Thanks so much for what you are doing. Looking forward to the safety video so I can get exploring.
Richie Allen
AA5's are also referred to as "AC/DC" sets. Often wondered if there would be an advantage to wiring up a 120VDC power supply to power one of these. Less hum maybe?
David simpson
Thank you Paul i really enjoyed that. Could you do some more modern circuits here and there when possible if you can't i understand. You and mend it Mark are my go to for great content. Keep up the good work .
Mr Carlson's Lab
You found it.
Jason F.
Need Help. I sent a "direct message" through the community tab, but not sure if that is how to PM mr.C. ????? many thanks
Mr Carlson's Lab
No problem! In this demonstration of a parallel circuit, that's exactly what is displayed. Do not pay attention to the wire color, or whether + or - is applied to the barrel or tip of the bulb. Incandescent lamps are not polarized. So all the positives are together, and all the negatives are together, it just looks confusing the way I folded the wires up quickly.
Mr Carlson's Lab
Just to mount them to a chassis is really the only reason.
Mr Carlson's Lab
It is, and I have a plan for a small bluetooth to BCB transmitter.
Mr Carlson's Lab
Hi Donald. They are just standard foam mats from a local dollar store, nothing special. I go through them fast so I have many on hand.
BC
Apologies for the dense question. I thought in a parallel circuit all positives were wired together and all negatives together. What am I missing?
Leonard Peters
I like the look of the Stromberg Carlson so much I accidentally bought 2 of them. Maybe this winter I will get around to 1 of them. They are pretty in an ugly way. Sort of like a 1960 Thunderbird.
David Moule
Nice explanation Paul. When you explain the safety aspect around transformerless and transformer supplies please don't forget the widowmaking auto-transformers.
Mark Urban
I've always been curious about filter capacitors stuffed into a metal can. Could/would you explain the reason for such a practice? TIA.
Smiggy
With the slow demise of the AM broadcast bands would it be possible to modulate the bluetooth audio output onto a fixed frequency and introduce it at the antenna stage of the radio? Of course this would not be the same quality but it would use more of the radio circuit instead of the radio being converted to a bluetooth amplifier essentially?
Patrick Griffin
I really enjoy your videos, and always have found radio circuits fascinating. Looking forward to all your content!!
Bill Keilholtz
Same here! These are the learning videos that I look forward too
Chris
Happy New Year Mr C, I'm really looking forward to the safety video and upcoming bluetooth board release!
Jared Kusner
I learned a lot today. Especially for restoring old radios. How to pick tubes and even lighting. Very informative. Looking forward to the safety video on these radios when it comes our. Thanks much.
Tom Harris
One thing I sometimes do on transformer sets with multiple dial lamps is use bayonet or screw base LED lamps to cut the current draw and also they last for years .Some are pretty hard to access for replacement.
Robert Harris
Looking forward to your bluetooth install for AA5 and AA6 radios. I already have the bluetooth boards.
Tim
Thanks Paul. Happy New Year to you and yours. I hope it is a healthy and prosperous year for you. Great way to kick off the new year, watching your videos!
Gustaf Linge
For me it is kind of opposite. When viewing with cellular data connection, my phone (*edit: playing Patreon videos on my phone) drains my data plan. That never happened when I could watch these videos via YouTube, but that ship has sailed I understand...
Senin
This new player defaults to a very low resolution without a button for choosing what resolution you want, I cant watch it because everything is blurry
Ghashaan
Nice explanation! Can you make a video on how a basic radio receiver works? I don't understand how they transmit and receiver sounds.
Joey A. Ferguson
Thanks Paul. I look forward to the "in-depth" safety topics you will share when working on these older radios. I have restored a few of those and made some mistakes with the "transformerless" types. I was using a variable isolation transformer (I built) and I decided to replace the AC plug on the radio with a grounded plug. When it was installed, I simply plugged it in the wall (that is, not using the isolation transformer) and to my surprise, one of the IF cans started spewing wax and smoke. I never really understood what I did wrong, but that leads me back to the need for a better understanding of voltage/current flows in these old radios, especially those without transformers. HNY de Joe W4JF
Gloria Jill Sydor
Hope you have great New Year. Great explanation
hadi
Nicely explaned, Paul. Happy New Year 2025 and beyond 🙂 school classes do not deal with this topic thic well. Plus the filament has a different resistance when cold or hot.
Bret Frohwein
Happy New Year, Mr C!
Donald Stevenson
Happy New Year Paul, and a quick question...where do you source your work mats from? They appear to have a good balance between durability and texture.
Sheldon Butler
Always something to learn new from your videos. I did not let the "simplicity" of the title deter me from watching and learning some new subtle aspect of electronics. You don't disappoint. Thank you Paul, and Happy New Year!
