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I'll try to sum up some things that are on other threads and this thread. When I first got the set naturally I used the 100watt bulb to reduce line voltage. Things seemed very hopeful as the bulb dimmed like it should and the tubes all glowed dimly. Perfect. I only did this for like 3 hours. I probably should have done it all night. This set seemed to be in real good shape so I didnt expect to have major trouble. I found that the LV rectifier was open so I replaced that. Then I applied 110V. That is where my troubles began. Instant major transformer hum and WARMING of the line chord, along with the bad smell. I would say that if I had left it plugged in for more than the 5 or so seconds that I did then the breaker would have took over.
At that point I hoped it was bad electrolytics so I went and bought new ones. I really felt good except for the fact that NONE of the existing caps gave ANY indication of anything that would cause a major draw. A cap that bad should be noticable with an analog ohm meter. Needless to say my second thoughts were right. Plugged her in and had exactly the same problem. That leads up to my using the Megohmmeter from work this weekend and pretty much determined that my primary winding is shorted to ground. The needle pegs when you crank the generator. I get the same effect from one of the secondary leads to ground. My wires are in great shape. Sounds pretty shorted. The transformer does not have RCA painted on it like my old 8T-243. Instead the #'s are stamped into the housing. Maybe the factory was trying to save a buck.
As far as the set being worth it. Yes! I have been wanting a roundie with a double d mask for ever. Not a lot around my area. Most people say the first TVs were in town around 1952. Many sets I read about have the 10BP4 like my 8T-243. This set has a larger tube. I forget the exact size. That makes it kind of unique to me. I love the doors as well. I would say the set shows average wear and tear but polishes up very pretty. Also, it has a rebuilt GE crt which is a positive aspect I think. It was installed in the 60's so it may not have much time on it. Such sets pretty much retired through the 70's. Thats how I gained interest as a kid. They were still siting in the corners of local repair shops and easily obtained cheap or free. Some 50's sets were in my high school electronics shop. That was cool. Even a Predicta that I would tinker with. Nobody cared about the older junk. We now had SOLID STATE!!
Hopefully this set will come together well. I want to reduce my collection to some degree and focus on a select few favorites. I really hate getting rid of anything. Y'all know how it is. I still have a late 50's Montgomert Ward's Airline for free if anyone can pick up....
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