Predicta Tandem restoration
 

A couple weeks ago I found another Predicta Tandem set locally for a reasonable price :banana:

Unlike my other Tandem set, this one has a good cable. Also all the knobs, back and the antenna!

Now for the bad. When the sets former owner moved back to Chicago from Texas, a fire broke out inside the moving truck :tears: Some of his other sets were a total loss, but this one didn't look too bad. I think it's all superficial.

Also he said it had been restored and working back in Texas, but it wasn't anymore :scratch2:
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I hope this gunk will buff out.
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The chassis is all sticky and stinky, but looks to be in good shape.
A few caps have been replaced from the topside. I found more repairs underneath.
Both the fusible resistor and thermistor are intact. They have both exploded in my other Predicta sets.

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Wow, 2 of those! They are rare enough. That cable looks better than your other one before you cleaned it. Can't wait for the video! Hope the CRT tests good.

It sure does :banana: Good life test too.
Better yet it's a 21FDP4A aftermarket replacement that's superior to the failure prone original.
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The chassis is cleaning up well with naptha paint thinner.
On top of the goo from the fire the sets former owner is a heavy smoker. It has quite a delightful aroma :yuck:
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I found a loose wire and broken resistor lead on the contrast control. I wonder if that's what caused the set to stop working ?

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Only one way to find out :D
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I used a 150W bulb in series and slowly brought it up on a variac. Just a little crackle from the speaker.
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I plugged the set directly in and was treated to some sporadic flashes of light on the CRT accompanied by arcing sounds. I checked inside the flyback cage but didn't see any arcing.
Next, I wiggled the tubes and the arcing clear up.
Here's the first stable raster.
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I hooked up an antenna and was able to pick up a local LP station on channel six but no sound.
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Then I hooked it up to cable. More tube wiggling and I have sound :music:
It's weak though and I have a lot of horizontal tearing.
Not bad for a first power up :yes:
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Ah that lovely smokey barbeque flavor :D

SR

Hi Bob, I corrected your typo in the title. :yes:

I saw your video on this set and I can only imagine how it smells!

I think I would take the 409 and a garden hose to this chassis, otherwise you're going to have to live with it every time it gets warm!

Thanks! I was going to ask, but you beat me to it ;)


Good idea. Yes, it sure does stink when the set warms up.

Here's a link to the video I shot while working on the set: http://youtu.be/qQLT7X1erbg

The screen is funky - especially at the bottom left. Perhaps it's from the fire ?
It also has a faint aroma of vomit so typical of this type of plastic (tenite?) :yuck:
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Novus #2 had no effect on the haze, but #3 plus a lot of rubbing did the trick.
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There are a few scratches that perhaps could be wet sanded out.
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The screens seem to be very receptive to buffing out.
I stole the one from my Holiday to put on the Pedestal set, I had to do a bit of buffing on it too. I used a headlight buffing kit, started at 800 grit and went to 3000 followed by rubbing compound and then polish. It looks good but it seems impossible to get all of the fine swirl marks out, they aren't visible when watching it so I guess it doesn't matter.

My biggest complaint is the green-ness of the screen cover, almost Hoffman like.
I like the picture when viewed directly off the tube but putting the cover on muddies it up.

I agree about the greenish tint. The later Sietsa and Princess sets have clear covers. I think it's a different type of plastic as there's no stink
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I feel the same way with the color roundies, the shaded non glare safety glass has the same effect. The early ones have clear plate glass and some of the later ones have a clear non bonded lens. The clear ones seem more bright and you tend to keep the brightness a little lower.

Now as for the cabinet, it has some damage from the fire. It's darkened in areas and there's a big stain on top. Also one side seems to have gotten wet which caused the masonite bottom to swell and push the veneer out a bit.
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I started out with some Howards RAF mahogany and 0000 steel wool. Later I switch to GoJo hand cleaner.
I really should have gone with the Gojo from the beginning to try dissolving the crud off rather than steel wool.
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I fixed some veneer separation too.
Next, I used some 400 grit sandpaper to smooth out the worst of the aligatoring and applied a couple coats of lacquer sanding sealer.
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Despite the superficial fire damage, it looks like you got a very nice restorable Predicta.... I know exactly how that thing will be smelling right now! :yes: When ever you 'fire' it up in future it will fill your apartment with the aroma of charcoaled BBQ cigarette smoke! Maybe stick it out on your back porch for a month! :D LOL Cheers Glen

Can't wait to see this done. Not sure if there is much need to have it perfect. I'm sorta fond of that "survivor" look if it's not really "broken" looking. Some sets are just BEGGING to tell you a story. It's nice that you DO have the story behind this set's survival.