Picked up a Vintage Colour TV!

[bellalaundry]

Yesterday, I picked up this Admiral TV. I got it from a vintage store that told me that it didn't work, so I got it cheap!

When I got it home it fired up just fine, but with vertical hold issues. With just a very little adjusting to the back v.hold knob, I was able to get a stable picture using just an antenna (yes...here in Ontario, we can still get over the air stations).

The only conplaint I would have is that there seems to be retrace lines. I'm not sure if I tinker with the knobs some more they might clear up (I'm worried I might make things worse).

How can you tell when the vacuum tubes need to be replaced?

Guy

 

[bellalaundry]

One more pic...

of the tv...

 

[mattl]

Retrace line running at sort of an angle? Often that can be solved by adjusting the various drive controls for each color. But by doing that you may end up with an image that is too dark. You will also screw up the gray scale. It may be a trade off between a decent gray scale and retrace lines. If you are not familiar with setting gray scale it can turn into hours and hours of trial and error.

Other things can also cause retrace lines too, it will take some detective work.

 

[autowasherfreak]

That's a cool TV!!

 

[rp2813]

I had all capacitors and resistors replaced on my 1950 Admiral TV, and the guy who did the work said that tubes rarely fail. He didn't replace any of the tubes that the TV had in it, the bulk of which are originals from 1950, and it provides a beautiful picture.

My set had serious retrace issues, but it was because Admiral chose to leave out a vertical blanking circuit. It was an easy thing to add. Your TV most certainly had the circuitry built in to address the retrace lines, so likely your problem is a change in values among one or more chassis components, but I doubt it's due to a bad tube.

That is an awesome looking set, by the way. Good find!

 

[bugsyjones]

I like that 'tulip chair' style base.

VERY mid-century modern. LOVE IT!

~Tim

 

[polkanut]

Oh so Mod!!!

 

[bellalaundry]

Thanks for the interest...

and advice. If I were to bring this to a repair shop (one that would accept it!) for restoration; what should I ask them to do?

I would like to use the tv a few hours a week. Should I just leave it as is until it is unwatchable?

I like the tulip base as well. It's a match to a grundig stereo I have.

Guy

 

[petek]

I hate you LOL

that is one primo tv find

 

[whirlcool]

As for the electronics shop...

I'd ask them to replace the resistors and capacitors and then test the transformer voltages.

From the look of it, I'd date the set anywhere from 1966-1968.
Anyone remember the Admiral color sets with the tilt out
control panels?

Admiral made televisions up to 1979 when the company sold out to Rockwell International, who decided then that they didn't want to be in the television market. In the 1964-1969 color television popularity, Admiral was in the top five as far as sales went. They were known for making a quality set for a more moderate price. But in the end, reliability problems eventually made them withdraw from the marketplace and being sold.

 

[circlew]

That TV reminds me of ones I'd see in motel rooms back in the 60's.

 

[rp2813]

For Repairs

If you took your TV to a local repair shop (and those are tough to find in these times of throw-away TV sets) they would probably laugh you out of the place and their labor charges would be sky high.

I've provided a link to the Antique Radios Forum where they have a section for vintage Television sets as well. If you can find a member near you who can help you locate someone who can change out the capacitors and resistors, the cost will be minimal compared to a repair shop. That's how I found a guy in my same town who did my Admiral for $100.

If the CRT is the problem, that would be more trouble and expense than it may be worth to you, but it's worth investigating since your particular TV has such attractive styling.

Antique Television Discussions

Share collecting tips/ideas, discuss antique televisions and related items. Ads are not permitted.

www.antiqueradios.com

 

[bellalaundry]

Thanks for the advice Ralph,

I have joined and posted an inquiry on AntiqueRadios. Hopfully there is someone close that could have a look at it.

Pete, don't hate...you have that great junk store in Petrolia to shop in!

Guy

 

[mattl]

Are the retrace lines the only issue? Are the lines a color or are they white? I don't know about your area by my local library has Sam's photofacts which is the service manual for the set. It will tell you where the controls are, basic directions on how to set them and a complete list of components. To do most of the work you would need test equipment, but some of the basic stuff should be explained well enough for the lay person to do. You will need the model number and often the chassis number because they are often different depending on the run.

 

[whirlcool]

Wouldn't he need a convergence pattern and color bar generator for this?
I always remember when the service guy came to fix our Zenit, he always had the color bars on or the convergence dot pattern on to check convergence.

 

[qsd-dan]

Wouldn't he need a convergence pattern and color bar gen

Pipe some youtube through that bad boy

 

[veg-o-matic]

Guy, try videokarma.org as well. Lots of great guys who know what they're talking about. And they'll be happy to see your very cool set!

veg

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videokarma.org

 

[rp2813]

Veg

IIRC, the site is "Audiokarma.org" unless they have created a separate site for video. I had better luck with the ARF but it's been a while since I've spent time on either site.

Guy, best of luck to you with ARF. I just checked out your post there and it appears somebody near you has responded. I hope he can provide the help you need.

Ralph

 

[whirlcool]

A few years ago I began collecting old German table radios. I gain more knowledge of these, I went to a vintage radio club here in town. They have meetings once per month.
I was amazed at how nice and friendly these guys were. They were very encouraging and a few gave me their numbers and said if I needed any help, they would be more than glad to assist me.

Here is a video I found from a guy who restored a 1956 RCA color TV. In this video he offers color television restoration tips. Plus, I thought the picture on that set was very good considering that set is 54 years old!