RCA 1949 9TC275 in Detroit

[Penthode]

I spotted for only $35 the first direct view RCA "large screen" television. I say large screen direct view because all prior RCA's had 12 inch CRTs or smaller.

It uses the KCS29 chassis with 27 tubes and a 16AP4 CRT and is a great performer. (This set listed for $469 in 1949). It is on the Detroit Craigslist:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/atq/2655779183.html (Not affiliated)

It is a bit too far away from me but I feel it deserves to be saved.

[Bill Cahill]

Thanks. I'm gg to try to get it.
Bill Cahill

[benman94]

I'm gonna need something to do after I wrap up my T-120, so I figured this would be an excellent set.

[Penthode]

Glad it has got a new home.

I picked up one earlier in the year: the electronics have been restored and I am now finishing off the cabinet.

These first 16" RCA's were quite expensive hence these must be fairly rare.

[earlyfilm]

Originally Posted by Penthode

(This set listed for $469 in 1949).

A near top-of-the-line RCA set in 1949 would be real veneer and not printed, correct?

Most real wood pre-1950 RCA's that I seem to remember have the large panel veneers flipped, while this one has both door panels turned in the same direction.

Am I just non-observant, or is this unusual?

Not interested in this set, just curious.

James

[Penthode]

Originally Posted by earlyfilm

A near top-of-the-line RCA set in 1949 would be real veneer and not printed, correct?

Most real wood pre-1950 RCA's that I seem to remember have the large panel veneers flipped, while this one has both door panels turned in the same direction.

Funny, despite the $469 price tag, the veneer on the 9TC275 doors is printed. Frankly, I think the cabinet is fairly basic and cheap (by 1949 standards). I just think the point-to-point wired electronics and the new 16AP4 just made it expensive to manufacture.

The more expensive 9PC41 had real veneers and a better cabinet.

To fulfil my curiosity, what 1950 set had "real" veneer on the front doors?

[benman94]

Picked up the set today. Sellers were really nice elderly folks that probably would've given it away; they just wanted it out of the basement. Popped out the back and a schematic for a CTC-15 falls out into my lap. Pretty odd . . . Anyways the picture tube was on a brightener. What are the chances I've got a dud CRT?

[miniman82]

Originally Posted by benman94

Anyways the picture tube was on a brightener. What are the chances I've got a dud CRT?

Very good.

[benman94]

Assuming it is bad (haven't tested it yet), what are the chances rejuvenation would bring it back to life? More importantly, if it would buy more time, how long could I get out of a rejuvenated tube?

[benman94]

I know for a fact the filament still has continuity and the inter-electrode capacitance values still check out right where they should. That's a decent sign I'd take it . . . . . ?

[miniman82]

Doesn't mean anything, many tubes have good filaments and dead cathodes or opens/shorts. Tester is the only way.

[Electronic M]

If you are near to Milwaukee you could bring the CRT to me, and I could test it for you.

[Penthode]

I picked up a 9TC25 earlier this year. It had it's original tube with a brightener. Refer to the pictures on my earlier thread.

I noticed the RCA 16AP4 with a date code late in '49 had a metal instead of glass exhaust tube. I looked at the getter and the flashing was starting to curl but there was no white: I blelieve the tube is going gassy.

It had a brightener and the emission was zilch. As a last resort I tried rejuvenation and got reasonably good emission. The picture was reasonably bright and was watchable.

The emission has dropped a bit but a "clean" brings it right up again. Anyhow it remains okay for a while when a few months later another clean will again bring up the emission. (I wonder if gas is contaminating the cathode?)

[Electronic M]

Maybe you should remove the base and put some Vac Seal (or what ever it was that CT-100 owners were putting on their 15GP22s in hopes of preventing leaks) as a precaution.