21-CT-55 Acquisition
 

I bought this set about a month ago and received it Wednesday morning. I've spent the last two days recapping it (in this 105 degree heat!). This TV was the model that followed the CT-100. It is basically a CT-100 with a 21AXP22 CRT and a beefed up high voltage section. The chassis is dated January 9th, 1955 and all the cabinet pieces are stamped with the number 3. As you can see it still needs a lot of work. I need to replace a missing piece of trim around the speaker and I need to do a complete color allignment and set-up. That will have to wait until Southern California cools down!

Steve

Way cool!. And a great score.
Dan

That is a very clean chassis. That set lead a sheltered life. #3, eh? Hmmmm....

Very nice example of a rare RCA. Looks like you've got this restoration under control. Thanks for sharing the photos.

-Steve D.

Welcome to the Club
 

Hi Steve.......Looks like your 21CT55 is really nice, makes me sorry I chopped my cabinet up 45 years ago. I never recapped mine, never had a paper cap fail only a few electrolytics. Almost all my original RCA peaking coils were open due to corrosion, have yours been replaced? Keep us posted on your progress with lotsa screen shots. What's your chassis serial number?.........Tom

Only 105??? True, you're 5 miles closer to the ocean... How about Kay and I come spend the afternoon today at your place to enjoy the cooler atmosphere? :music: Just take a look at what it was yesterday. And this, granted, is in the sun, but it's an accurate thermometer! I'd say it was 118 or so in the shade.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...dgeJun2108.jpg


Congratulations on that 21CT55!!!! I've had one that was only partially recapped, and it was a great performer. Did you buy that one from someone in Frazier Park/Lockwood Valley? Just curious...

Charles

wow wow wow..................

I'm in awe...At the TV AND the thermometer...

Beautiful set!!! So, when are you planning to deliver it to my house. I am home after 5:D. That thing looks awesome! That cabinet looks nice too, the original finish could be saved on that one with just some repairs. I think that is my ultimate holy grail set, it has the good qualities of the CT-100 without having to deal with the 15GP22. Don't get me wrong, I love the CT-100's but these are a bit more practical for a person in my financial situation. Again, great find and the best of luck to you! It's already looking great! I'm soooo jealous!!!!!!!:yes::thmbsp: But, you can keep the heat! I definitely don't want that!!LOL!!

Steve:

thank you very much for your report. Please let us see more photos and details from your works on the 21ct55.

Kind regards,
Eckhard

Just a quick update on my set. I got the rest of the caps yesterday and finished replacing those this morning. I also replaced all the peaking coils and several tubes. I am posting some more pictures. The color is much better now. I still have some major convergence problems that need to be fixed. The knobs are broken of the static convergence magnets which make it difficult to adjust. There are still a variety of other problems that also need to be attended to.

Charles: this set came from an RCA employee in Indiana. It was originally in New York.

Steve

Eckhard:

This one's for you.

Steve

Steve:

your set has very vivid colors! You wrote, it is a 21AXP22. Can you compare it with the 21AXP22A? Are there any differences in the color? Or do you know something about the differences between the 21AXP22 and the 21AXP22A?

Kind regards,
Eckhard

Eckhard, The 21AXP22 and 21AXP22A are identical, except the A version has a built-in controlled resistance internal dag coating designed to current limit any internal arc-over within the tube, and prevent damage. For the non-A version, it is recommended that external resistors be installed in series with the HV lead to provide this current limiting function.

They have the same phosphors, to the best of my knowledge. And ALL color CRTs are aluminized.

I do remember a discussion regarding any phosphor difference in the 2 tubes, sometime in the last year or so on AK. I don't think a 100% answer was ever reached, just an assumption that the non-A version matched the 15GP22 phopshors? Would be good to know for sure.