My First vintage tv. 1950 Hallicraters 600

[Electronic M]

Originally Posted by decojoe67

I've never done elec. restos myself, but had many, many TV's done for me over the years. It requires a lot more experience than radio repair.

If you've never done resto work you don't have the experience to autoritatively comment on what is needed to do it. I was a radio collector/restorer before I got into TVs. Radio repair knowledge gives you enough to fix easy sets...What you lack to do the harder ones we can supply.

Although, reading a period book or two on TV service/operational principles will help greatly. If one knows what each circuit section does, and how they interact it helps troubleshooting work greatly.

[John Marinello]

Originally Posted by Electronic M

If you've never done resto work you don't have the experience to autoritatively comment on what is needed to do it. I was a radio collector/restorer before I got into TVs. Radio repair knowledge gives you enough to fix easy sets...What you lack to do the harder ones we can supply.

Although, reading a period book or two on TV service/operational principles will help greatly. If one knows what each circuit section does, and how they interact it helps troubleshooting work greatly.

...and he also implies that 1951 roundies have little value. I sold 2 1951 Zenith
portholes: One for $1,295, another for $695. The second one wasn't restored.
Just because you are a member here suddenly makes you an authority??

[Radiotronman]

That's a very nice set and hallicrafters sets don't pop up everyday. If you've done radio repair, than you can repair a tv with a little help. The obvious difference, is be careful with the high voltage areas. I've repaired many tvs, but still need help from time to time. I think we all do from time to time, that's why this site is so great. Test the CRT, but many crts test weak after sitting dormant for a long time. Let it sit in the tester a little while before giving up on it. I've had many sets with weak crts, still produce a watchable picture. Absolutely replace all of the electrolytics first before doing a slow power up. Once restored, that should be a nice set. Great find!

[Donny]

Originally Posted by Radiotronman

That's a very nice set and hallicrafters sets don't pop up everyday. If you've done radio repair, than you can repair a tv with a little help. The obvious difference, is be careful with the high voltage areas. I've repaired many tvs, but still need help from time to time. I think we all do from time to time, that's why this site is so great. Test the CRT, but many crts test weak after sitting dormant for a long time. Let it sit in the tester a little while before giving up on it. I've had many sets with weak crts, still produce a watchable picture. Absolutely replace all of the electrolytics first before doing a slow power up. Once restored, that should be a nice set. Great find!

I don't know how to test a crt. I do have an old tube tester somewhere... I was thinking about just doing a recap and crossing my fingers. Also would it be ok to test the tv by using a 40 watt light bulb as a resistor?

[Radiotronman]

Yes, you could, but I'd replace all of the capacitors and then do a power up. You can get a cheap CRT tester on eBay for $20-40. I haven't run into too many 10-12" crts that were completely dead, so you can just recap it and see if you get a raster. Just make sure you pay attention to the electrolytics. If you're just beginning, it's easy to think all electrolytics have one side going to ground, because in most radios that's the case. Any tubular, black cardboard electrolytics are not grounded and must be wired identically the way they're laid out. Ask any questions you have, the guys on here are very knowledgeable and helpful. When disconnecting the chassis after each power up, ground the second anode connector, before disconnecting from the side of the picture tube. Otherwise you'll get a pretty good shock.