How reliable?

[heathkit tv]

My thought about adding cooling is based on the fact that these sets are well over 40 years old and have been through many heat cycles so many components have been "weakened" compared to when new.

Plus the fact that besides excessive voltage, heat is the bane of electronics (and with tubes, vibration as well).

There are all manner of inexpensive and very lower power consumption fans and cooling systems available for computers. Hell, if you have central air conditioning you could even route a hose of sorts to blow into the set.

Reason I'm stuck on the cooling (and stuck on stupid as well) is to extend the hours a day you could run the set and reduce any impact on ultimate longevity.

I see operating older electronics like cars, no use is as detrimental as abuse...and there's an "in between" that actually lengthens the life and improves operation.