Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave A
"Barry, It's probably easier to get a CTC-4 working than a Col-R-Tel but much more satisfying. There are only about 23 of us. Good luck and keep us up to date. Dave A"
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I will agree that it was easier to make a CTC-5 work again that it is restoring the Col-R-Tel I've had since 1960, now registered with the ETF, a 100-2, s/n 383. I began restoring it and a 12 inch Philco 50T in August, 2006, and I'm almost finished, just a few electronic fixes plus the TV cabinet and wheel housing finish to restore.
What a long strange journey it has been. If I were starting out again, I'd try to find a 12 inch set with video feeding the CRT cathode instead of the Philco with it on the grid. The Col-R-Tel instructions say it will work with both types, but I *think* it makes better pictures on a cathode fed set. Just my opinion.
I had to replace the printed circuit switch with one supplied by another ETF member, and I made new brushes with used, but gold plated wire video drum brushes from a decomissioned broadcast VCR. Not pretty but they work well.
I had to find a belt and THAT was a trip. I finally got a hint late last year from an ETF member that a 6 inch diameter X 3/16 inch O Ring from McMaster Carr
would work, and it does, although with all the testing and adjusting I've done for more than 12 months, I've worn out 3 of them. They were only about $4 each so that's not too bad.
You have to remember when this system was first sold in 1956,there were only a few hours of color broadcast a week, so the amount of use the mechanical parts got then is far less than it would be now.
And, yes, the motor runs very hot!!! I may be the source of the Grainger motor replacement comment. I bought two and they both work fine and don't run as hot as the original Howard Industries motor Col-R-Tel used. Details available for anyone interested.
A really important point is to install a good aluminized CRT with a *clear* face plate instead of filter glass which drops the brightness by 30%. I got a 12KP4
with good emission and it does make up for the 90% loss of light due to the very dense color filters in the wheel. In an original Col-R-Tel operations note
they recommend operating the set with no more than one light on in the room!
This screen shot was taken with the source in 'pause' with a digital camera in "moonlight mode" which adds the light of several frames together. No other corrections were made.