Magnificent Magnavox Theatre Console Questions

[Grafter]

Originally Posted by Eric H

First order of business it to get, or find someone nearby with a Picture Tube tester.....

This sounds like it should be a simple task, and hoping the tube is good. I haven't found another picture tube identical to this one yet.

Originally Posted by DaveWM

prob work fine, I would use a variac and monitor the B+, if the can caps are ok, I would think just a tube problem if the TV does not work. it has a 5U4 so I would look there if the B+ is not shorted.

Ok, I'm going to google everything you just wrote there and get back to you.

Can I get a Lingo Lesson from you?

B+: where and what is this?
Can caps: what determines their acceptability?

5U4? I recognize this.

Is there a Cliff Notes reference that I can purchase, or access online, that you would recommend for a crash course?

[DaveWM]

B+ is the main low voltage power for the set (by low voltage i mean 200-400volts). a digital multimeter set to DC volts will tell you if its what it should be. You will need a schematic to know what it should be.


the can caps are going to include the filter caps, prob 350v 40uf or something like that. If you have a multimeter you can get an idea if they are at least not shorted by checking the resistance from the + term to the chassis, it will start off very low resistance but should quickly rise to around 10k ohms (all this done with the the set unpluged). If it does this then its prob ok to try a power up.

Your prob not going to hurt anything if you just plug it in and see if all the tubes light up. Just a wild guess, a weak 5U4 would keep it from working. If you can get your hands on a tube tester I would check that one.

if you get sound from the speaker then there is a good chance the TV B+ is ok.

If the CRT does not light up, then you may have no high voltage. There are special probs for measuring this at the CRT anode cap, beware the CRT anode has around 20kv when working, and the CRT can store a high voltage for a while even after the set is turned off.

If you are new to electronic work remember that there are high voltages that can kill and very high voltages that can knock you senseless, so if you are a complete newb you may want to see if someone can help you check it over.

Not knowing your skill level makes it hard to say but you may want to do some more reading before tackling a TV or any line current powered devise.

The main concern is the high current that is available at the power plug, you get tangle up with that and its not good.

you may want to try checking of some you tube clips on checking out a TV, while there is a TON of garbage on you tube, there are a few informational clips as well.

[Grafter]

Originally Posted by DaveWM

Not knowing your skill level makes it hard to say but you may want to do some more reading before tackling a TV or any line current powered devise.

I'm understanding much better at this level of explanation. I understand the electrical basics, in the general sense, and need to research more on how that translates to the older technology.

I do have a strong background in the use of lab a testing equipment. Results I can get, what they mean I may not have a clue yet.

I found a strong current about 20 years ago when working on a microwave. It wasn't a feeling I want to revisit.

I will be needing to pick up a few new tools.

Any recommendations for the variac? Or a reasonably priced tube tester?

Also, are there any other resources for the tech manuals? The one I see most referenced is SAM.