Sylvania Saratoga Restoration
 

Bob and I picked up this set from the Quad Cities area (Moline) yesterday. CRT was sleepy when we got there, but a quick run on the Beltron brought it back up to like new emission on all 3 guns with a decent life test. It's a smoker set, lots of nicotine on the cabinet. First step is scrubbing that crud off, then I will evaluate the chassis for a parts order.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Sylvania/sylvania1.jpg

It's very original, a few tube replacements but the CRT is factory Sylvania 21AXP22. Big unknown right now is the Corotron regulator tube, which is unobtanium. I hear Folsom has a way to test them, so I'll likely send it to him to verify.

You don't run across one of these everyday. "The Saratoga" console in Mahogany sold for $695.00 in 1957. There was also a table model available: "The Granada." Nice find.

-Steve D.

Thats a cool set!

Looks even better than it did in the ad.

man!! i cant find anything in my area ,that's a cool looking sylvania .:yes:

your getting to many nice set's for one person,is that why you needed more space for ?,thanks again steve

Izzat one of those "Rectangular" sets from '57 or so ? It DON'T look like Your Typical Fifties' Roundie... Me LIKEY !!

21AX = round. The mask has a softened contour where it transitions from the sides of the tube to the bottom of the raster, which gives it a kind of rectangular appearance. And before anybody asks (somebody always does) it's not a Halolight.

BTW, if anyone has the Sams for this I'll Paypal $10 for it.

Yep, when I first saw the CL ad I thought for sure it was a another late 50's b&w. The color part didn't sink in until I pulled the SAMS folder and saw the 21AX.

That's really amazing that the factory tube tests like new. Apparently was a low hours set.

Nice score. Always nice to see another roundie saved :banana:

Is there a model number visible somewhere?

Never mind, the CL ad is still up...

I've got a virgin copy for you. (391-4)

Funds sent, Jim.

Another cool acquisition to that impressive early color collection of yours, Nick! And a refreshing change from all those RCAs (a few more of 'em and old Sarnoff is probably gonna start payin' ya visits to see his products LOL.).

Pulled the chassis, it's one heck of a dirtball. Dirt mixed with nicotine, actually. :thumbsdn:

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Sylvania/chassis1.jpg
http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Sylvania/chassis2.jpg
http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Sylvania/chassis3.jpg


The CRT and mounting hardware didn't fare any better, basically anything with voltage moving through it attracted this crap. The crud eventually soaked up moisture, so anything made of steel has a nice patina on it now. Probably the worst smokers set I've seen yet.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Sylvania/crt1.jpg
http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Sylvania/crt2.jpg

Oddly, the yoke cover was almost completely intact. Usually these things are disintegrated, but only the edges on this one were deteriorated. All the same, I decided to replace it with one of the ones Bob made. They fit really nice, just drill 4 holes and mount the old shield to it with non magnetic hardware.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Sylvania/crt3.jpg

That would be fine with me, if he were still around anyway. :D

From what I can tell, this set is an odd combination of CTC-4 and 21-CT-55 circuits. So I still consider it an RCA- in Sylvania clothing. :thmbsp:

God, I hate smokers sets....


http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Sylvania/mask1.jpg

^ That was one wipe with bathroom cleaner. I had already gone over the whole cabinet at this point, and filled an entire trash bag with what used to be white paper towels. Then it dawned on me to just stick the rest of the parts in the tub, and let the cleaner soak in a while.

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Sylvania/mask2.jpg

:puke::puke::puke:

Don't pass up the dishwasher option to do some cleaning.

That's a helluva nice set.

Are thos red rods like remote control for rim magnets? Never seen that before.

Yep, edge purity magnet 'control rods'. The cabinet is so cramped that it would be impossible to adjust them without those rods, and even with them it's not a perfect solution. It would have been a better idea to do what RCA did with the CTC-5, which has access to the magnets through the front bezel. I think on the 5 you remove the bezel and glass, then tweak the magnets with a screwdriver.

Eeeuuwww ! Dat thing's NAHHHHSTEE... Fortunately, I have EXTENSIVE training in Hazardous Waste Remediation, so I advise you to send it to me AT ONCE w/o fail.....



Well, maybe SOME DAY that Plea will work...(grin)

What's bad for the owner is good for the set.

Just think of that gunk as Cosmoline, it does a pretty good job of preventing rust and corrosion (on metal, not so much in lungs).

What Eric says.

I've seen some absolutely BLACK smoker sets that are totally rust free under all that crap.

Just wait until you fire it up. Your friends will think you are chain smoking, again!!

Wish that were so- fact is the nicotine is sticky, so it attracts dust. All it takes is the dust to soak up some moisture, and everything gets rusty in a hurry. I was able to get most of the rust off with sandpaper, but the pitting remains. I just hope the electronics are still good...

Holy re-cap-a-thon, Batman.... :boring:

http://miniman82.4t.com/images/Sylvania/chassis4.jpg


And that's only about 90% done with the paper ones, I haven't even started on the power supply lytics. For that, I need the Sams to arrive so I don't f*ck something up. There seems to be a quad a 200uf@300v caps right in the middle of the main chassis, and a slew of others strewn about the chassis. I count 16 or so, not counting the random 4uf ones for the video circuits that I already replaced.

You can tell that Sylvania had to change a few things to avoid RCA running them down for patent infringement. For example the demod driver tube in the CTC-4 is a 6AG7 type, and here there's a 6CL6. In the audio section where the CTC-4 uses a 6AQ5 output, this set has a 6W6GT. It'll be interesting to do a head to head with my Director 21, to see which is the better performer.

Is it an I-Q wide band color demodulator set like the 21-CT-55?

No, for all intents and purposes it's a CTC-4 as far as demodulation is concerned. Only thing borrowed from the 21-CT-55 is the horizontal output transformer.

now that is a filthy set!we used to get the call about dim picture,loss of brightness,focus,etc.most of the time was a smokers set or they were heating with a kerosene heater or wood.just wipe the screen off and presto!new tv!actually had a child paint the screen once.mother was afraid to touch it.heard it would make the "colors"disappear.always carried some 000 steel wool with me.cant wait to see more pics of this restoration and the set in operation.these are always my favorite posts

I see they used 6AZ8's in that model. I just looked over the Sams a bit, to see what that set was all about. Does the CRT have a EIA274 on it? Just wondering.

No idea, but the base says Sylvania and it's engraved with a serial number. 21AXP22, not 21AXP22A so I know it's original.

I'll bet it has a 312 on it somewhere as does my Philco-branded 21AXP22 from my TV-123. Or, maybe Sylvania didn't bother to EIA code their own CRTs?

Pete

Simple Green really works on tobacco tar. Believe me. I work at a high-end retail tobacconist/cigar lounge. We use it to clean the collection cell, power supply, and HV leads on our UAS smokeeter, which, being a HV based device loves to attract tar to the power supply and HV leads. I keep a small stereo tube amp down there as well, and it also recieves a monthly simple green wipedown.

I don't see any EIA code on the CRT, I just checked. Just the engraved Sylvania neck, that's it. There were some stickers on the metal bell, but just the same safety stickers they all have on them. Brand neutral.


EDIT: got the Sams folder in the mail today, thanks WISCOJIM!

More recapping tonight, I installed some of the stuff that came in from Mouser. Also had to remove the focus control, it was seized. Took it apart and it's actually in pretty good shape electrically, just the shaft was a little frozen from corrosion. Gonna polish the shaft a little, grease and reinstall it.

Still need the rest of the caps from Allied, mainly the .22uf ones. After those and the new lytics are installed, I think it will be ready for a slow run up on the variac to form the new caps. If things look good from there, I still need to test the Corotron regulator in another set to see if it still works. If not, I'll have to install a 6BK4 regulator mod to control high voltage. Probably won't happen till next weekend though, I have something going on in Wisconsin this weekend.

Very cool. Nice to see this set being brought back to life. Can't wait top see the picture!

"Probably won't happen till next weekend though, I have something going on in Wisconsin this weekend."

Hey Nick,

I think you have something happening in Hilliard, Ohio next weekend.

-Steve D.

Damn, that is this coming weekend! Weekend after next, then! :D

Great Set.
 

I used to service Sylvanias in the early 70's. Not many roundies back then but I had a few that were newer than yours. Great snag.