RCA Victor 8-T-243

[AUdubon5425]

Something else I don't need followed me home Friday night. Thinking about mounting this one to the ceiling of my minivan so I can move into the modern age.

[AUdubon5425]

Seriously, it's complete and unmolested. The CRT tests good to boot. This thing is larger and heavier than I expected too I can't imagine trying to ship one.

[Phil Nelson]

Those RCAs built along 630 lines all weigh a ton.

I see a new CRT anode lead in your future. Looks like HV arced through the insulation where it's supported by that long spring. My T-100 had the same problem.



In that photo the spring has been moved back from the chewed spot. I painted the bad spot with a couple of coats of corona dope as a temporary fix. The temporary fix worked so well that I never bothered to replace the lead, even though a new lead costs almost nothing. Laziness trumps perfectionism again.

Or maybe I'm misreading the photo and someone already cured your problem with some other kind of magic goo. In any case, I'd check out that thing that looks like a wad of brown bubble gum.

Phil Nelson

[miniman82]

I takes no chances, I replace all old HV wiring. I don't think my renter's policy would cover burning the entire apartment block down if something went wrong...

[bandersen]

Nice score Looks very similar to my 8-T-241. Same chassis I suppose. Good luck getting it running.

[AUdubon5425]

I don't think I'm going to dive into this one for a while. I may wind up selling it; I don't know yet. I bought it because you never see anything like this down here and God forbid some Bohemian art type got their hands on it. I could just picture this in some anarchist barroom decorated with glitter paint and a Che Guevara decal...

I have no idea if it's been in New Orleans its whole life but our first station (WDSU-TV) signed on in 1948, so it's possible.

[mbear2k]

Quick question, hopefully not too far off topic... what is a good source for anode lead wire, boots, anode clips (might be tougher to find), etc?

Thanks

[amptramp]

The 8T243 weighs 90 pounds. I know. I have one. These are generally good sets but they are not intercarrier sound, so be prepared to realign the sound to peak where the video does - it probably will not happen by itself.

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by mbear2k

Quick question, hopefully not too far off topic... what is a good source for anode lead wire, boots, anode clips (might be tougher to find), etc?

Thanks

Surplus Sales of Nebraska has a bunch of stuff: http://www.surplussales.com/Wire-Cable/HVWire-2.html

[radiotvnut]

Originally Posted by mbear2k

Quick question, hopefully not too far off topic... what is a good source for anode lead wire, boots, anode clips (might be tougher to find), etc?

Thanks

I've cut the anode cable off of modern flyback transformers that were defective.

[Tubejunke]

Originally Posted by amptramp

These are generally good sets but they are not intercarrier sound, so be prepared to realign the sound to peak where the video does

I have one that looks as if it could be the one in that picture. It used to blow 5U4s in a second. I got sidetracked and other than replacing some power supply capacitors the set remains dormant and needing a home. I also have a TC-127 with this chassis and I was curious about any intercarrier sound issues. I restored that one for all practical purposes with all new caps except ceramic discs, replaced out of tolerance resistors, tubes, etc. I guess repaired is a better word than restored as I did not refinish the cabinet or polish the chassis with naval jelly.

At any rate, ever since I got done with the set the volume level has been VERY low. I get super reception and what volume there is does seem to fine tune in sync with the best picture, but can hardly be heard across the room. I have only had one chance to snoop around with an ohm meter, but I didn't find anything out of the ordinary. I guess I was hoping there are some trade sound secrets with these old RCAs.

Thanks

[leadlike]

I've got a chassis to this set rotting away in a barn right now. I've pulled some parts off of it, but there are still some bits there. If it should happen you need anything, let me know. I always try to keep a "630ish" chassis on hand as the parts are typically compatible with so many other sets of that era.

[AUdubon5425]

Originally Posted by Tubejunke

I have one that looks as if it could be the one in that picture. It used to blow 5U4s in a second...

That's what the seller told me this set was doing.

And Leadlike, thanks for the offer. If I do get around to fooling with this one I'll keep that in mind.

[Tubejunke]

Both of my early RCAs had power supply issues from the get go. I used to think that perhaps it was a weak spot in the engineering, but really its just the age and dormancy factor of such a set that has ruined the electrolytics in the power supply. That's why they like to blow 5U4s, or worse yet (as in the case of my TC-127) have a shorted power transformer from someone through the years plugging the old thing in too long with shorted and leaky caps. I actually located an NOS Merit replacement; not bad.

[Tubejunke]

Originally Posted by leadlike

If it should happen you need anything, let me know. I always try to keep a "630ish" chassis on hand as the parts are typically compatible with so many other sets of that era.

Do you happen to have a HV cage cover? On a long shot, I also need a back cover for my 8T-243.

I don't know why these sets are so heavy. I had forgotten until I had to move mine. It was almost as heavy as the Zenith color console "roundie" that I just moved into my television (and other unwanted stuff) museum. We are truly a rare breed. Now I get to see the guys on the new show "American Pickers" walk right past old TVs and radios' to make a big deal out of some metal sign, oil can, or gas pump.