1958 RCA 17" Portable - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Radiotronman · #1 08-17-2016, 09:28 PM

Id been wanting one of these sleek RCA portables for awhile and finally found one at an auction recently. It wasn't easy to get this apart, but after getting it out I made a parts list and replaced what caps I had on hand. Now begins the process of cleaning and testing tubes. I've already fired this set up when I got it and it gets a nice bright raster with sound. It's had some older repairs, but it deserves a full restoration. The CRT is a 17cdp4 I believe and it tests very strong. It has an 8.4v filament voltage, which I wasn't expecting. Like most 50s portables, there's a lot crammed into this small case. This one has a pcb that'll be just as much fun to work on as the Predictas.

Electronic M · #2 08-17-2016, 09:33 PM

I got a beat up white one last week for $5. Back is missing and a side panel...Up side is it has UHF....Haven't tested the CRT yet.

Radiotronman · #3 08-17-2016, 09:41 PM

Some of the RCAs, after taking a dozen screws out, you basically unwrap the top and side off. This one is welded together, so you have to weave it around the speaker to get it out. You pull it out the back after taking off the handle.

dieseljeep · #4 08-18-2016, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electronic M

I got a beat up white one last week for $5. Back is missing and a side panel...Up side is it has UHF....Haven't tested the CRT yet.

Is that the series-string model? If it has a transformer, it has a 6.3 volt heater. You might have a CRT for your Predicta.
If it's the series set with 8.4 volt heater and the CRT checks good, you have to be a bit more creative.

Radiotronman · #5 08-18-2016, 01:49 PM

It's only a 17" CRT, where my Predicta holiday has a 21" CRT. Good idea though!

Electronic M · #6 08-18-2016, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

Is that the series-string model? If it has a transformer, it has a 6.3 volt heater. You might have a CRT for your Predicta.
If it's the series set with 8.4 volt heater and the CRT checks good, you have to be a bit more creative.

It is an 8.4V heater, and IIRC there is no power trans. The 17CDP4 in mine is almost 2" deeper than my 17" Predicta's CRT so it would not be the easiest thing to get the back cover back on with 2" more neck... Too bad the 17" predictas are not series string heaters....The 17CDP4 has the same heater current as the philco tube.

Edit: here are some pictures of it.

The more I look at it the more I'm convinced someone sliced a big square hole in the side... The previous owner said it died when he tried rotating the yoke in an attempt to turn the picture upside down for a laugh....He got it part way, it sparked and started smoking....If the yoke or fly are bad the this set is parts for sure...Even if they are good I still may part it out.

Radiotronman · #7 08-18-2016, 10:31 PM

My set has the Bakelite fixed handle instead of the handle held on by rings. Mine does not have any type of removable cover on the side, so I'm thinking someone did cut a hole in the side of yours.

dieseljeep · #8 08-19-2016, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiotronman

My set has the Bakelite fixed handle instead of the handle held on by rings. Mine does not have any type of removable cover on the side, so I'm thinking someone did cut a hole in the side of yours.

They did a neat job of it, but not original. Plus, it's a hot-chassis set. It uses 6CU8 tubes, which aren't that common.
Those things are dogs to work on, even the transformer models.

mrjukebox160 · #9 08-19-2016, 08:38 PM

http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/6C-Types/6CU8#