Saw this today at the Flea Market - RCA Victor TV - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Wigwam Jones · #1 08-08-2004, 07:27 PM

Saw this today at the Raleigh, NC flea market that they hold every weekend at the state fairgrounds. The seller was packing up to go - wanted a quick $40 for it. Could only claim that 'it's got tubes inside' - no idea of condition. The back appeared to have been unmolested. He really didn't like the idea of me taking this photo, but I've gotten used to that and just ignored him.

I have never purchased an old TeeVee, but I have to admit, the idea intrigues me. And my home was built in 1923, it would fit right in! Of course, the WAF might not be so high...might take some work there.

So, I passed on buying this (for now). I would need MUCH reassurance from those here who have done this sort of thing before - if this is good idea or not.

Anyway, thoughts on this TeeVee? Seller claimed that by the time he returns next week, the set will be sold, but sure, sure. Maybe yes, maybe no.

All comments appreciated?

Best,

Wigwam Jones

Big Dave · #2 08-08-2004, 07:53 PM

I would have snagged it. I would like to get a blond cabinet, plus, I have more portables than I have floor models to sit them on.

If you do decide to get an old TV, check out websites that some of us do. You never want to just plug it in and turn it on.

Wigwam Jones · #3 08-08-2004, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Dave
I would have snagged it. I would like to get a blond cabinet, plus, I have more portables than I have floor models to sit them on.

If you do decide to get an old TV, check out websites that some of us do. You never want to just plug it in and turn it on.

I understand that a variac is required - which I have none of. In fact, since I'm color-blind, electronics work is pretty much right out for me.

And yes, I mean 'really' color-blind. Why people who are not color-blind never seem to believe that is beyond me. "Surely you can see that THIS is brown and THIS is green?" Nope. Look the same to me, bub. Next question?

Anyway, I'm interested - but since I'd be requiring someone else to do all the actual work - it would probably end up costing a pretty penny, huh? Would this be a 'rare' model - if you happen to know?

Thanks,

Wiggy

Charlie · #4 08-09-2004, 01:20 PM

That's a really nice looking RCA! I would have grabbed it as well. Fourty bucks seems like a fair price considering the cosmetics look pretty good. Being early-mid 50's, it probably needs a little work if someone hasn't already been thru it.

I wonder if it uses that 21EP4 picture toob. It doesn't appear to have that much curve in the face of the screen. If you could, it would be good if you could get a peek at the inside and see if it has a tube-brightener connected to the CRT. If it does have one, that means the CRT is on it's way out. If it doesn't have one, it may be worth you grabbin the set since you like it.

I don't have a pic of a tube brightener handy right now or i'd post it so you could see what I'm speaking of. If anyone has a photo they could post of a brightener, it would probably benefit Wiggy. Seems like someone is usually looking for the 21EP4... it may be hard to find one.

jstout66 · #5 08-09-2004, 03:13 PM

i love the cabinet and style of it, but something doesn't "look right" in the picture tube area. Is it me, or does it look like a trim piece is missing or something has been changed?

Charlie · #6 08-09-2004, 04:12 PM

Ya know, you're right! Something looks a little fishy. Is there a safety glass? Hard to tell on the glass, but one can surely see that some trim is missing... or something to that affect.

jstout66 · #7 08-09-2004, 05:29 PM

that's what I thought!! I've got a 1957 RCA Deluxe console (which is "newer" than this set) and mine has safety glass and a gold trim piece. It looks like there is a gap or someting between the cabinet and the picture tube surround on this one....

***Eric H*** · #8 08-09-2004, 06:55 PM

I don't know what you guys are seeing

I can see the brass trim around the glass on this one, the mask looks OK too, maybe a little dirt or rust in the lower corners?

I too would have snagged it for $40 if I had room for it.

Charlie · #9 08-09-2004, 07:17 PM

Eric,

It appears that there is a gap between the wood and the mask... as if something else should be in there. At least that's what it looks like to me.

Wigwam Jones · #10 08-09-2004, 08:13 PM

Sorry for the delay responding - this may help somewhat. I took some crops of the negative and blew them up a bit.

Wigwam Jones · #11 08-09-2004, 08:14 PM

When I first saw the TV, I thought that there was an empty space betwixt the tube and the box, but no, just darker wood, and kinda stained funny.

Wigwam Jones · #12 08-09-2004, 08:18 PM

Last one - hope this helps.

Turns out that there is a WAF problem - she has good reasons, I might add. However, I am at the fairgrounds all the time. If someone would like, I could scout and see if it is there agin. Mebbe work out something in the way of shippin'.

Best,

Wiggy

Charlie · #13 08-09-2004, 09:30 PM

Okay... the close up helped alot. From a distance, it did look a little funny.

Wig, I think it's pretty nice looking. If you have an interest in it, go for it. It is kinda hard sometimes to find blonde cabinets in that good of condition. Even if you don't have a variac, you could still bring it up slow using the old in-line light bulb trick.

You're right... in an older home, it would fit in nicely.

BTW... what is WAF?

nasadowsk · #14 08-10-2004, 12:08 AM

Oh, late 50's won't use a 21EP4, it'll use a 90 or 110 degree CRT. The 21EP4 was a 70 degree tube.

Hey, I need a 21EP4

I have a KCS117A chassis portable ("Berkshire" Ammusingly, I picked it up in eastern Mass....). It's a decent enough set, but the sync STILL won't hold very well, and it has those stupid circuit boards that RCA used. A pain to remove from the chassis because of all the random wires, and a pain to work on. Oh yeah, and that chassis is a female dog to remove from the cabinet - you have to pull the CRT out from the FRONT of the set first, and of course, it's a royal pain to discharge before doing this. Then you pull the chassis out. Naturally, there's a zillion screws involved here too.

The tube is a 21CEP4, 110 degree. The yoke looks amazingly modern, too. (It's origional)

Anyway, I'll post a few schematic clips and scope/voltage readings once I get them, to see if I can sort out this synch issue. 1st I want to align the set (or at least rough it in) and see if that helps.

Oh yeah - the tube's shot. Yet another RCA CRT I have that's toasted (3 out of 3 B&W RCA tubes I have are). Anyone got a spare one of these that's good they don't want?

2DualsNotEnough · #15 08-10-2004, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Charlie
Okay... the close up helped alot. From a distance, it did look a little funny.

Wig, I think it's pretty nice looking. If you have an interest in it, go for it. It is kinda hard sometimes to find blonde cabinets in that good of condition. Even if you don't have a variac, you could still bring it up slow using the old in-line light bulb trick.

You're right... in an older home, it would fit in nicely.

BTW... what is WAF?

WAF-Wife Approval Factor