CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

romero.video · Joined: 13 Jul 2011 Posts: 35 Location: Arkansas

Lately, i've been getting more and more into the older stuff with console stereos and tvs. I just recently picked up an RCA New Vista Color set and now a Curtis Mathes combo. Where would be a good place to post with photos and get info about them. Here or maybe another forum?

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 2:40 pm Post subject:

You've got two decent tube TV sets here, me and MAc. THat takes me back to the 70s, which is where I got my start. Fire away, post pix, let us help!

romero.video · Joined: 13 Jul 2011 Posts: 35 Location: Arkansas

Thanks Curt. Here goes!

The Curtis Mathes has the tuning eye which is cool. Turntable works as well as the tuner. Tv turns on and runs but there is a bit cutoff on the right and at the top a little. I have a video of this running. Not sure if i can put it here tho. It is on youtube if that helps. Link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t_WCWN9ZY8

The RCA is cleaner now than shown in the pic. Tuner works but can barely here it over the loud hum noise. TV doesn't light up but channel selector does. Picture tube was replaced new in 75 and has a brightener on it.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:51 pm Post subject:

Wow, those are almost older than me!

You need to start by testing all the tubes in each set with a good tube tester. What I see video-wise is lack of sync, V linearity and height have issues, probably with the feedback caps in the V section, and that's just a start. The set that is humming needs new filter caps in the main power supply.

romero.video · Joined: 13 Jul 2011 Posts: 35 Location: Arkansas

I'm gonna have to pick up a tube tester. How much would i expect to pay for one? Also, how do i find out what year these are?

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:56 pm Post subject:

A 'good' one is called a 'transconductance' tester. I paid $200 for mine on eBay a bunch of years ago, I'll bet pricing has dropped. You can get away with a 'standard' tube tester from someone like B&K :

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-707-TUBE-TESTER-/140580444263?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item20bb3f5867

(the 'good' kind)

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-Dyna-Jet-tube-tester-Model-606-/170672369837?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item27bcddb0ad

( a 'standard' one.)

The old Heathkits are fine too, I used one for about 20 years. You want as new a looking one as you can find, the ones on the first two pages on eBay right now are an older generation..

romero.video · Joined: 13 Jul 2011 Posts: 35 Location: Arkansas

Great, thanks. How do you repair PVA De lamination on screens? I hope i said that right.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:18 pm Post subject:

You're talking flaws on the face of the main CRT? You don't. Smile

macgyver655 · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 8508

If there is an old time repair shop in your area they may still have a tube tester on the back shelf covered with dust.....

MikeEby · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 5237 Location: Osceola, Indiana

First thing I would do with the RCA is take a look at the flyback, its inside the high voltage cage...If it's smoked your probably dead in the water...I'm pretty sure chassis is a CTC-16, flyback failures were very common for that model, and several years following....FYI working on those old sets paid for a new Corvette in 1976. Smile

Mike

romero.video · Joined: 13 Jul 2011 Posts: 35 Location: Arkansas

Yes the blemishing on the face of the crt. Not sure about any shops left around here. I think they're mostly gone. Might find something at the flea market tho. I know there used to be alot of tube stuff there. If the flyback is gone, will there be any hope of repair at all. If not, then what should i do?

macgyver655 · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 8508

Not sure of the condition of the fly just yet but if you have a hum in the audio that needs to be addressed first. That same problem could be why there is no picture. I would do like Curt says and start in the power supply section. Do you have any model numbers or any numbers. Look on the inside back cover to see if there is a print attached. More info required.

macgyver655 · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 8508

And post a picture of that tube face so we can see what you are talking about.

romero.video · Joined: 13 Jul 2011 Posts: 35 Location: Arkansas

Hope these help. i show one area near where the power cord plugs in. Looks like it is black from something burned or blown out. Maybe something else?

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

Maybe they have a tube your looking for.

http://www.hawkeyepicturetube.com/

Athanasios

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

Or these guys might be able to repair it,

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tube-cathodique.com%2F

Thomas electronics also does CRT repair but not sure if they do non projection types.

http://www.thomaselectronics.com/services/crt_refurbishment.php

Athanasios

macgyver655 · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 8508

Pictures aren't the greatest but those blemishes look like mold on the outside of the glass. Can you feel it running your finger across it?

Your picture of the burnt parts is not very clear.

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

Once I came across some info on what your may have its called cataracts .

here is a video I came across while doing that research.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l1EoMmmOcQ

Athanasios

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:34 am Post subject:

That does look like the safety glass is coming off of the main glass, I've seen that lots in the past. I'd check online forums for vintage TV stuff. . Locally, Able Electronics did huge amounts of CRT remanufacturing. They are out of it, but get me the part number off the back, and I can see if by chance they have anything. I'm sure someone out there does..

romero.video · Joined: 13 Jul 2011 Posts: 35 Location: Arkansas

Will do. The blemishes are behind the glass. Curt, i'll get you the part number tomorrow. You need the crt number right?