Canadian Mk2 19 set up and running, query regarding Radium content ?
 

Well I got the 19 set back from a pal and it’s running great, the A and B sets have been sympathetically decommissioned.

There was mention that these sets may contain Radium ? Anyone know what the craic is with this ?

To the best of my knowledge the only radioactive item on the Canadian/US sets is the glass bead on the end of the PSU switch. Simple test is to look for brown colouring on dials, meters, etc. Radium lasts a while but the phosporous doesn't. It turns a brown colour that can indicate presence of radium.

Note to self, look for geiger counter at Warren Piece.

Cheers buddy, alas I won’t make it to W&P this year.

I did note that there was some sort of green oxidisation on the top of the psu switch, I might just change it out to be safe !

Just wanted to check there was nothing else on the set I should be wary of innthat respect.

It's safe enough behind the glass bead, and changing that switch is not a task to be undertaken lightly - even if you can get an equivalent (4-pole 2-way centre-off) switch. To get at it involves the almost complete dismantling of the supply unit, something I'd only consider in the event of smashed fuse holders. or other major damage

Chris.

Chris, I may need to image the switch as there is no glass bead on the end, its chrome but with clear green paint on the tip which is scraped away.

I will get a snap of it when I get home, see what you think.


Cheers

Richie

Ah, I was thinking "Supply Unit No.2" which has a wildly different switch.

The only real test is a geiger counter, but...

Paint that looks "burned brown" may well be radioactive (and the phosphorescent zinc sulphide that caused it to glow has been rendered non-luminous).

Paint that is light green may be plain zinc sulphide luminous variety: shine a strong light on it in a darkened room; if it glows after you turn the light off it's the safe variety.

Chris.(G8KGS)

Psu no.1 it seems

Toggle switch

Nothing radioactive there. Just somebody doing the emerald paint treatment. It's the right switch so just steel wool the knob and be done with it.

ok will do, cheers guys.