Bizzare 8TS30 on eBay

[Eric H]

http://cgi.ebay.com/TV-Vintage-RCA-t...QQcmdZViewItem

This set has been modified with a 14"? rectangular tube!

There was a mod made to install a 12" round tube in these and that's what the mask on this one looks like, so did someone modify a 12" mask to accomodate this tube or was this a later kit?

It looks like a clean installation, the gold mask even follows the curve of the knobs.

[bgadow]

It kinda surprises me that such conversions don't turn up more often, what with how-to books written on the subject & the aftermarket prepared with the parts needed. At least, the electronic parts. I don't know how available masks and other trim would be. Whoever did this gave their set a good update, though it lowers the value nowadays.

[Dave S]

Here's a neat instruction book I got with a 630-type set. Sadly, the set was in such bad shape I had to scrap it, one of the few old televisions I've ever junked. I kept the chassis for parts. Increasing the screen size from the standard 10 inches was apparently a popular "hot rodding" option for the technically inclined back in the fifties.

--Dave

630_conversion_p01.jpg
630_conversion_p02.jpg
630_conversion_p03.jpg
630_conversion_p04.jpg
630_conversion_p05.jpg
630_conversion_p06.jpg
630_conversion_p07.jpg
630_conversion_p08.jpg
630_conversion_schematic1.jpg
630_conversion_schematic2.jpg

[Eric H]

A person could probably make a pretty interesting collection just focusing on 630 conversion sets!

[gillpratt]

Just picked up this rectangular mod. to an 8TS30. If nothing else, I figured it would have good parts for my 630TS if needed.

I also learned from someone named David in Boston of another 8TS30 conversion to a larger round CRT. It looks like the bezel mods were made fairly professionally, although the installation was DIY.

On opening the set, there were a few neat things:

1) The rectangular CRT (which has no number) appears to be an non-aluminized RCA CRT without integral safety glass and with a single permanent magnet ion trap. So I'm very curious what rectangular CRTs of this type were made by RCA back then. Any of you know? I had thought all the CRTs of this type were round.

2) The conversion came with a longer grounding spring wire for the external CRT acquadag, but someone stupidly washed off the CRT's external coating and the wire wasn't doing anything.

3) The Bezel was made quite nicely (like in the picture) including safetey plastic, but has no label as to the manufacturer. The round conversion model I've seen a picture of says "RCA Victor" on the top, but perhaps this was an aftermarket label.

4) The yoke looks like it was replaced in my set, but seems to be identical to a 10BP4 yoke, with the little hoops near the neck to ground the external acquadag. Not sure if this was a replacement done as a result of arcing (due to the washed off acquadag) or part of the conversion.

5) The bottom of the set has some newer electrolytics to replaced bad cans, but is otherwise pretty clean. Given that the set had a rectangular CRT, I was most interested in it for spare parts, but now that the CRT is a bit of an odd ball, I may restore this set to.

Any info. any of you have would be appreciated. I'm new to the list, but now an avid collector (5 1940s RCA sets). I started with a 630TS many year ago.

Thanks!

Gill Pratt
Lexington, MA