CTC 5 in Ohio

[jeyurkon]

The Aldrich has a permanent magnet for the blue lateral adjust. The SAMS shows that some models of the CTC-5 used an electromagnet. Are there any advantages to one over the other?

I didn't notice any cigarette smells in the seller's house when I picked it up. But I had just finished a 130 mile trip in my neighbor's smokey Jeep Cherokee. The Aldrich has a really annoying cigarette smell right now, even though it looks clean. Think it picked it up from the Jeep?

It should go away in time. My Majestic 71 radio had a strong burning tar smell for months after I brought it home. That has finally disappeared.

John

[Steve D.]

Originally Posted by jeyurkon

Thanks for the advice. I might leave the finish alone. But, there doesn't appear to be fiberboard anywhere on this set. I've attached a photo of the damage on the top and to me it looks like birch plywood underneath the finish.

John

John,

I stand corrected on the Aldrich top being plywood under the photo finish. My Aldrich didn't have factory UHF, so I installed a UHF receiver inside the cabinet and drilled two holes in the side for the receiver knobs to protrude. I recall that at least the side panels were fiberboard or Masonite. This was many years ago. I don't drll holes in CTC-5's (or any vintage set) anymore. I do agree that you should leave the finish alone, although you probably could touch up the top a bit.

-Steve D.

[jeyurkon]

Originally Posted by Steve D.

John,

I stand corrected on the Aldrich top being plywood under the photo finish. My Aldrich didn't have factory UHF, so I installed a UHF receiver inside the cabinet and drilled two holes in the side for the receiver knobs to protrude. I recall that at least the side panels were fiberboard or Masonite. This was many years ago. I don't drll holes in CTC-5's (or any vintage set) anymore. I do agree that you should leave the finish alone, although you probably could touch up the top a bit.

-Steve D.

And you were right about the sides. They are Masonite.

John

[WISCOJIM]

Originally Posted by jeyurkon

It's already on its way to me. I'll scan it after I receive it.

John

Thank you!

[old_tv_nut]

Originally Posted by jeyurkon

The Aldrich has a permanent magnet for the blue lateral adjust. The SAMS shows that some models of the CTC-5 used an electromagnet. Are there any advantages to one over the other?

John

The permanent magnet is better, I think - DC into the coil can drift or the pot can go bad.

[jeyurkon]

Originally Posted by jeyurkon

It's already on its way to me. I'll scan it after I receive it.

John

I received the guide today. It's very detailed. There are about 87 pages so it'll take me a llittle longer to scan it than I expected. I might stay after work tomorrow to do it.

John

[jeyurkon]

Originally Posted by WISCOJIM

Any chance someone here could scan it and make it available to all? Same for any other very early factory service literature. Sure beats relying solely on the Photofacts and Riders information.



.

Here is the 700 Series Setup

I don't plan on deleting it right away, but you never now. Please save a copy rather than relying on it being here.

John

[old_tv_nut]

Thanks!

[jeyurkon]

Normaly I'd be adverse to doing this, but since the seller said the set powers up I'm tempted to try it. Based on what others have said it sounds like RCA used pretty good electrolytics in these sets. No doubt the paper caps have to be changed.

Do you think it would be safe to try with a variac, or just wait until I recap it?

John

[old_tv_nut]

Why gamble? You know what you have to do to recap it. It takes a while, but then you'll be much safer.

[jr_tech]

Did the seller indicate how long ago it was powered up?

jr

[jeyurkon]

Originally Posted by jr_tech

Did the seller indicate how long ago it was powered up?

jr

I could email him and ask. I assume it was just before he listed it on CL. They've had it sitting around for decades and finally decided to part with it.

John

[jr_tech]

Or it could be one of those "well it was working just fine when we decided to store it in the basement.....20 years ago" stories.

jr

[jeyurkon]

He said that the last time he powered it up was about a year ago and that it hasn't been powered up or moved since then.

John

[jr_tech]

After a year, there is certainly some risk involved... Slow ramp up, careful observation of key items such as the 5U4s, electrolytics and monitoring B+ voltage and perhaps current, listening for hum and taking some precautions such as having the proper fire extinguisher, perhaps pulling the plate cap off the 6CB5A for the initial power up will reduce but not eliminate the risk.

On the other hand, a decent "baseline" for the set will be established. If it does indeed have a very serious problem, such as a shorted power transformer, it would be good to find that out early.

just my 2cents or less worth,
jr