Atwater Kent Service Manual

1. Purpose of Service Manual
The object of the Service Manual is to assist the retailer of Atwater Kent radio products in giving prompt and efficient service to the consumer-owner. Since in accordance with our Radio Service policy, service on Atwater Kent radio products is to be handled by Atwater Kent dealers and distributors only, this publication should be considered confidential and except in special cases, is furnished only to regularly appointed outlets of Atwater Kent radio merchandise.

2. Importance of Service
Service has "come into its own" during the past few years and its importance is continually becoming more widely recognized. The value of prompt and courteous service by the dealer cannot be over-emphasized. Service is closely linked with sales--in fact the one depends on the other. The radio dealer who has foresight will build for the future by maintaining a neat and efficient repair department and employing a competent service personnel consistent with the size of his organization. There is no better step toward building good-will for Atwater Kent products in his immediate locality.

3. Dealer Service Procedure
The dealer who has a reasonably well equipped service shop will find that he is in a position to handle the servicing of practically any set which comes to him for repair, since the bulk of repairs will not be of a difficult nature.
In the event that he is unable to perform a certain repair, the set or unit should be returned to his local distributor, who maintains a complete service department similar to that of the factory. The distributor will furnish his dealers with complete instructions for return of material, such as making out of return report blanks and other routine in connection with the handling of service matters.

4. Dealer's Parts Stock
   We strongly urge that every dealer carry in stock a supply of repair parts as may be most commonly required for the more popular types of Atwater Kent sets and speakers. This will eliminate the possibility of a dissatisfied customer, resulting from the delay necessarily involved in ordering a part from the distributor.
    Newly appointed dealers should consult their distributor regarding a suitable initial stock to be carried.
    Repair parts must be purchased from the distributor. No parts are sold direct from factory to dealer.

5. Repair Charges--Warranty Repairs
The charge on a repair job for the consumer, on a set beyond the warranty, may be based on the consumer price of the repair parts used, plus a charge for the time required, at a definite rate per hour. The time charge will cover the time consumed in testing the set when repaired, and in calling for and delivering the set, if this is done.
Our factory warranty on new products, involves the replacement of parts defective in workmanship or material, and covers a period of 90 days from date of sale to the consumer.

6. Service policy
A complete printed "Service Policy," definitely outlining the factory's plan on service matters, is sent once a year to our distributors, and such information from this as is required by the dealer will be passed on to him by the distributor. A definite understanding between dealer and distributor on all matters pertaining to service will be the means of preventing much conflict and controversy. It cannot be too strongly urged that all instructions from the distributor be carefully followed, so that complete co-operation will exist. Written instructions, such as bulletins, etc., should be kept handy in a loose-leaf note book.

7. Service Literature
    The dealer will do well to keep readily available, ALL literature pertaining to service which comes into his place of business.
    There are several excellent monthly radio trade publications which are invaluable to the retail dealer, both from a sales and service standpoint. We believe the small price of annual subscription to several of these magazines will be more than repaid by the excellent information and ideas they contain.
    Two or three good text books on radio will also not be out of place on the dealer's book shelf. An easily understandable book on the theory of radio and a practical book on general radio service and repairing are suggested.

8. Factory Service Course
One of the best ways in which the recognized Atwater Kent dealer (or his service man) can familiarize himself more completely with the correct methods of servicing Atwater Kent radio products, is to spend a week or two in our factory Service Department. We have mapped out a course of training to be followed in this work, which completely covers the various steps in repairing, assembling, and testing all models of our sets, speakers, and power units.
The service course takes from one to three weeks depending on the ability of the individual. There is no charge for the instructions, but the dealer will naturally furnish the transportation and living expenses connected with this visit to Philadelphia. A letter of introduction from the local distributor is required and must be presented at the factory for identification purposes.

Knowledge of Theory is Essential
While the primary purpose of the Service Manual is to give the dealer information about testing and repairing Atwater Kent receiving sets, we believe that an understanding of the fundamental principles of radio and a knowledge of how our sets function will enable him to perform this work more intelligently. It is, of course, essential to know what to do to correct troubles, but a knowledge of the theory and functioning of the various units of the set will enable the repairman to locate the trouble more readily. If an unusual condition arises in a set, a repairman without a knowledge of the principles involved, can correct the trouble by "hit-or-miss" methods only. The service man who has this fundamental knowledge can analyze the condition and then determine the remedy.

The Theory Section
The theory section of this manual is not a complete course but it is intended for study in conjunction with a good radio text book.

Studying Radio
It requires continual study, observation, and actual experimenting to acquire a real understanding of radio. Experimenting will drive home facts thaty might otherwise be difficult to learn.
There are a few text books that give an outline for a course of radio experiments which require only simple and inexpensive equipment. For one who wants to learn radio, there is no better way to do it than to follow such an experimental course and supplement it with diligent study of a good radio text book.

Elements in Radio Receiver
In addition to tubes and speakers, there are only four general types of parts in a radio receiver: condensers, transformers, chokes, and resistors.
In order to know how a receier functions, it is necessary to understand the action of these parts on various types of current. A table covering this subject is shown here, and more detailed information is given throughout the theory section.

   When analyzing trouble in a radio set, it is very helpful to have a clear idea of the relations between current, voltage, and resistance in D.C. circuits. We therefore recomment close study of the diagrams and rules following.
    Voltage (electro-motive force or e.m.f.) is the pressure in an electrical circuit. The unit of pressure is the volt.
   Current is the rate of flow of electricity through the circuit. The unit of current is the ampere.
    Resistance is the opposition a circuit offers to the flow of current. The unit of resistance is the ohm.
    The relations between these units are given here.
    If we apply the rule regarding current to the three lower circuits shown in Figure 3, we find that in each case the current is two ampleres (100 volts divided by 50 ohms equals 2 amperes). An example of parallel resistance is shown in Figure 3-A.
    In a series circuit, the voltage across one part may be easily determined if we know the total resistance and the voltage in the circuit: First find the percentage that the resistance of the particular part has to the total resistance. The voltage across that part is that same percentage of the total voltage. Thus assume that in the bottom circuit of Figure 3, we want to know the voltage across the 5 ohm resistor. We know the total resistance is 50 ohms. Five ohms is 10% of the total resistance. In turn, 10% of the total voltage is 10 volts, which is the voltage across the 5-ohm resistor.

1. The Service Room
   The first thought of the dealer, once he has been "sold on the idea" of rendering real service, will be a suitable workshop or service room in which to carry on this work, and also the tools and equipment he will require to perform radio service completely and efficiently.
    In most cases it will be necessary for the dealer to utilize for his service room whatever location may be available for this purpose under the conditions of his present floor layout, but where there is a choice, or in case of the occupying of new quarters where any desired layout can be planned, it is suggested that the service and parts stock room be arranged adjoining or convenient to the rear of the sales and display room. With this arrangement, customers bringing sets in for service can be referred promptly to the "Service Department," which will avoid unnecessary delay and interference with the work of the floor salesman. The dealer's "outside service man" can, of course, enter the shop by the rear entrance.
    The service room need not be very large, but should be well lighted. If possible to have outside light directly on the service bench or table from one side or the rear, it will enable the service man to work more efficiently and consequently to produce better results.

2. The Repair Bench
The service bench or "repair table" should be four or five feet long and about twenty inches deep. The height should be about thirty-six inches, so as to permit the repairman to work at it conveniently while standing. The top of the table should be heavy enough to insure the bench being absolutely firm and free from vibration. One or two round-topped stools can be provided for the men when working on jobs requiring considerable time.

3. Suggestions for Service Equipment
   A reasonably complete outfit of meters and tools, which will cover the making of any ordinary tests and repairs, is suggested as an initial equipment for the dealer's service room, and consists of the following:
    Voltmeter panel.
    Multi-wave oscillator covering the broadcast range and also 130 K.C.
    Milliammeter, 0-100 M.A.
    A separate continuity testing meter or "ohmmeter."
    Tube testing device (any standard make).
    Hydrometer.
    Soldering iron and equipment.
    Testing prongs with cables (several pair).
    Set of small open-end hex wrenches.
    Set of small socket type hex wrenches.
    Open end wrench for toggle switch (for 5/8-inch hex nut).
    Assortment of screw drivers, pliers, and wire cutters.
    Assortment of spring type clips for quick connections.
    Assortment of small fuses (1 and 2 amp and 100 M.A.).
    Pair of special wrenches for removing cone of E speaker (Part No. 9255).
    Jig for setting volume-control contact (Part No. 15115).
    Set of three shims for centering the voice coil in electro-dynamic speakers (Part No. 20171).
    Three gauges for centering top-pole-piece in electro-dynamic speakers. Each gauge consists of a three-inch length of No. 54 drill rod.
    Two specially-drilled top plates for use in synchronizing condensors. Click here for details.

4. Arranging the Equipment
All tools frequently used should be kept in a definite place where they will be accessible without delay. A row of hooks at one end of the work table or on the wall can be recommended for this.
The testing equipment may be arranged as shown here.

5. Locating Repair Parts Stock and Repair Material
The best method of arranging the stock of repair parts is to keep them in rows of small wooden bins or in glass jars on sets of shelves on the wall. Each bin or jar should be carefully labeled with the part number and name.
It will also be advisable to have an additional set of shelves for complete sets and speakers--for example, a shelf for jobs "to be repaired," one for sets "ready for delivery," and one for sets "awaiting instructions" from the owner or waiting for parts which have been ordered.

6. Equipment for the Outside Service Man
    The amount and type of equipment provided for the dealer's "outside service man" will depend on the total investment being made in service equipment, and the ability of the outside man in using meters, etc., to locate and perhaps repair minor troubles in the customer's home.
    As a rule it is preferable to make only the external tests in the customer's home, and if trouble if found to be within the set or speaker they can be loaded into the service truck and brought to the shop. This avoids the bad psychological effect of making an actual set repair in the presence of the owner.
    There are several complete set testing outfits or "analyzers" on the market made by reliable companies, ranging in price from $50.00 to $200.00 or more (retail price). These include all necessary voltmeters, ammeters, tube testers and, in some cases, an oscillator for use in synchronizing variable condensors.
    If the dealer does not feel able to invest in one of these outfits, the following set of articles is suggested. Additions can be made as found advisable:
    Soldering iron.
    Screw drivers, several sizes.
    Wrenches, Hex, several sizes.
    Combination pliers and wire cutters.
    Hydrometer.
    A.C. voltmeter, 4-8-150 volts.
    0-50-250 D.C. voltmeter (1000-ohm-per-volt type).
    Tubes--one or two of each type.
    Headphones or speaker.
    Continuity tester (click here for description).
    The above equipment will provide for checking all batteries, tubes and the speaker, as well as the D.C. voltage of any circuit of set or power unit. Any troubles outside the set can thereby be immediately detected and if the difficulty is traced down to the set it can be disconnected and brought to the service shop for the usual routine circuit and voltage tests, and necessary repairs.

7. Keeping Records on Service
    This feature is one which the dealer cannot afford to neglect is a smooth-running Service Department is to be maintained, and if the avoidance of misunderstandings with the customer and unnecessary correspondence with the distributor is required.
Pads of printed forms, serially numbered and with sufficient copies for office records and the customer, should be used for handling repair jobs, and the date on which a set is brought in for repair, date repair is made, and also delivery date with customer's signature obtained, should be carefully entered.
    It is extremely important for the dealer to fill out the warranty tag that accompanies each set and promptly return the post card section to his distributor. The dealer-record-card should be filed for reference in order to determine whether future repair jobs are in the warranty period.
    If a repair "invoice" is made out separately, the number of the repair tag and all other data should be placed on the invoice.
All expenditures in the line of service should be recorded carefully in a suitable book, so that at the end of the year a comparison can be made between the cost of maintenance of the department and the total income from repair work done. The latter will, of course, be made up of the profit in repair parts and the amount charged for labor on repair work.
    We also recommend the keeping of a careful "inventory" of the stock of repair parts. A "perpetual inventory" is the best if care is taken to keep it up to date. A record card should be maintained for each item kept in stock, and the quantity of this item and date received from the distributor recorded, as well as the date and repair number whenever one is used on a repair job. By going over the stock once a month or so, and checking the inventory, any items on which the stock is getting low can be ordered from the distributor and thus an adequate stock of all parts may be kept on hand at all times.

8. Service Personnel--the Psychology of Service
    In the selection of a man or men to handle the Service Department in his store, the dealer should consider three main factors:
    1--Education and experience.
    2--Natural ability on radio repair work.
    3--Ability to meet the customer.
It is self-evident that to perform satisfactory work as a radio service man, experience along radio lines and ability along the lines of electrical and mechanical repair work are essential. The third factor, however, is not usually given due consideration, in fact too often it is sadly overlooked.
    The Service Department, rather than being looked upon as a necessary evil (as it was several years ago before the dealer had been educated to its true value), is now considered one of the biggest factors for building good-will and indirectly increasing sales that the dealer can possibly have. But this is not possible unless the service man takes the proper attitude towards the customers and his own work. He should always assume the attitude that "the customer is right." He should listen politely to his story of his trouble and endeavor to assure him cheerfully and convincingly that his difficulty will soon be a thing of the past. Confidence in the product and in his own ability will be a powerful factor in the service man's favor in this connection. He should never argue with a customer and never make promises he cannot fulfill. All appointments made should be kept without fail.
    All in all, a proper understanding of the psychology of service on the part of the service man will help to make the Service Department a great asset to the eventual success of the radio dealer's business.

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