Philco Predicta Blond Pedestal
 

Finally going to look at my first predicta. It's as the title says, a blond pedestal, though I'm not entirely sure of the model number for the set. Can't seem to find much info on the different models. I'll be bringing my CRT tester with me to see how the tube checks out. Anything else I should be aware of?
Thanks all,
Zach

Total noob at CRT testing here. I have a tester, but have not used it yet.

I seem to recall a thing with Predicta tubes that using a tester in what looks like the right way can actually blow the tube. Voltage difference or something.

Hopefully wiser folk will chime in, or dismiss my ramblings with extreme prejudice...

I think you're referring to the fact that the heater operates at 2.7v instead of 6.3v. Weird setup and understandably easy to glance over the voltage settings. I've heard of a lot of picture tubes being swapped to a 6.3v once the original tube goes. We'll have to see what's in there, but if it's bad, I doubt I'll get it.

OTH, I have a 21" predicta whose tube tests as pretty much non-existent on everything, but it still works. It gets dim after a while. I haven't had a chance to look at the set any further - could be an after-market tube, could be someone installed a brightener. I will find out eventually and I have another set I might swap the tube with anyhow.

In other words, and this depends on the price, if the heater glows I would take a chance.

Well, not only did I pick up the blond pedestal, I also acquired a debutante along the way, with a nearly new picture tube. Unfortunately, the blond picture tube is extremely weak (wouldn't move the needle) and produced a barely seeable raster even with the brightness on full. We'll have to see if I can pick up a brightener or something to make it a little more watchable. I do recall seeing a philco seventeener near me that was beyond saving. I might have to see if that's a match.

A "Seventeener" has a 17-inch CRT. Your blond pedestal needs a 21-inch CRT.

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