1951 AMC 16" TV Restoration - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Crist Rigott · #1 07-09-2016, 08:40 AM

Guys,
I've just started on this TV. First a little history. It was bought in 1951 (the year I was born) at a department store in downtown Cleveland Ohio named Higbee's. This store was the downtown store in the "Christmas Story" where Ralph sees the Red Ryder BB gun.

I saw that it was for sale and bought it. The guy selling it said it was his uncle's and told me the story of where his uncle bought the TV. Well I'm from Cleveland Ohio and that's the connection. I had to restore the TV.

I got the Sams #111-3 and the Riders Volume 5 page 1 for reference.

I checked the CRT, a 16KP4, and it took about 1/2 hour to come up into the middle of the green on my BK 467. Not great, but it looks like it will give a decent picture.

I pulled the chassis and installed some 1/2 x 1 inch nylon "feet" so I could grip the chassis to flip it over and the nylon prevent the bench from getting all torn up from the original mounting screws.

Crist Rigott · #2 07-09-2016, 08:43 AM

I then removed the picture tube for safe keeping. Then removed both the HV rectifier and low voltage rectifier tubes. I put it on my variac and brought the voltage up to 40vac while checking the current draw. Less than 1/4 amp - good. After awhile I added more voltage to check to see if the tubes would glow. I got up to 70 volts and all the tubes that were plugged in glowed. Enough of that.

I then decided to pull the tubes to check them. I used the SAMS tube location chart nad began pulling tubes, verifying that the correct tubes were installed, then marked them with a small piece of masking tape. When I got to V7 the Detector tube, there were 2 tubes in its place! Whoa, I didn't see that coming. Both Sams and Riders showed a single 6T8 tube. I have a 6AQ6 and a 6AL5 tube. I'm pretty sure this is a factory mod or update. Now I need to find the correct schematic and documentation, if its out there. I included a picture of the 2 tubes on top and below the chassis.

Also there was a 6V6GT instead of a 6K6GT for the vertical output.

I also have a question on "something" that is sticking out of the "back" of the HV cage that is attached to the Flyback transformer. At first I thought it was a fuse. But it looks like the 1/4A fuse in mounted below. Though I'd have to check for sure. What is that something? I've included a picture of it.

The chassis is pretty clean but real dusty. I'll spend some time cleaning it up before I go much further.

I also will research the dual tube modification.

Crist Rigott · #3 07-09-2016, 08:49 AM

Here's the schematic from Sams.

WISCOJIM · #4 07-09-2016, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crist Rigott

Here's the schematic from Sams.

Chris - did you seam those pages together, or do you have a scanner that will do 3 pages at once? What model scanner did you use?

.

Crist Rigott · #5 07-09-2016, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WISCOJIM

Chris - did you seam those pages together, or do you have a scanner that will do 3 pages at once? What model scanner did you use?

.

I seamed them together using my CAD program. DeltaCad.

I used my cheap Lexmark X1185 printer/scanner. I only use it to scan though.

WISCOJIM · #6 07-09-2016, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crist Rigott

I'm pretty sure this is a factory mod or update.

Gotta be factory, the hole was punched when the chassis was just a piece of sheet metal.

.

WISCOJIM · #7 07-09-2016, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crist Rigott

I also have a question on "something" that is sticking out of the "back" of the HV cage that is attached to the Flyback transformer. At first I thought it was a fuse. But it looks like the 1/4A fuse in mounted below. Though I'd have to check for sure. What is that something? I've included a picture of it.

What you are seeing is the flyback core and retaining clamp.

.

Crist Rigott · #8 07-09-2016, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WISCOJIM

What you are seeing is the flyback core and retaining clamp.

.

Yup, now that I have time to look a little closer. Thanks.

electronjohn · #9 07-09-2016, 10:26 AM

Cool..."Higbees". The "Old Man" must've bought that to replace the console radio in "A Christmas Story"

David Roper · #10 07-09-2016, 05:07 PM

That's a Muntz design with a handful of parts thrown back in. Unless I'm blind, I see no mechanism for blanking the screen when the phono input is selected.

Crist Rigott · #11 07-09-2016, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Roper

That's a Muntz design with a handful of parts thrown back in. Unless I'm blind, I see no mechanism for blanking the screen when the phono input is selected.

The switch for TV/Phono input is a simple SPDT slide switch. It does look like the TV picture is not turned off. When I get it up and running, I'll check its function.

dieseljeep · #12 07-09-2016, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Roper

That's a Muntz design with a handful of parts thrown back in. Unless I'm blind, I see no mechanism for blanking the screen when the phono input is selected.

There's a capacitor in the bottom with the Bendix name on it. That's probably who made it. Only two IF stages.

Crist Rigott · #13 07-09-2016, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

There's a capacitor in the bottom with the Bendix name on it. That's probably who made it. Only two IF stages.

Oh yeah, it's made by Bendix that's for sure. Why do you say that 2 IF stages are boring?

Phil Nelson · #14 07-09-2016, 10:35 PM

Better quality TVs had three IF stages (like my Dumont RA-103), or even four (like my RCA CT-100). More IF stages means more amplification of the incoming signal, resulting in greater sensitivity (ability to pull in weak, far-away stations). A TV with only two IF stages would only have worked well in a metro area with nearby stations.

Sensitivity per se is not such a big deal nowadays, when many collectors feed their restored TVs from a DVD player or whatnot, with a nice strong signal. The number of IF stages can be interpreted as a sign of overall quality, however. If the manufacturer skimped in that area, they may have skimped in others, too.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

Crist Rigott · #15 07-09-2016, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Nelson

Better quality TVs had three IF stages (like my Dumont RA-103), or even four (like my RCA CT-100). More IF stages means more amplification of the incoming signal, resulting in greater sensitivity (ability to pull in weak, far-away stations). A TV with only two IF stages would only have worked well in a metro area with nearby stations.

Sensitivity per se is not such a big deal nowadays, when many collectors feed their restored TVs from a DVD player or whatnot, with a nice strong signal. The number of IF stages can be interpreted as a sign of overall quality, however. If the manufacturer skimped in that area, they may have skimped in others, too.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

Phil,
Thanks for the explanation. I can see where if they scrimped here they could scrimp there kind of a deal.

When I'm done I'll for sure include some videos of the picture and sound quality.

Again thanks and I enjoy reading over your restorations both radio and TV.