Just picked up a Sylvania Halolite - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Tony V · #1 03-16-2009, 08:44 PM

I just picked up a 24 inch Sylvania Halolite model 392M tv off of the auction site. It was within driving distance and the starting bid was reasonable enough so i dropped a bid on it and won it. After getting it home, i did the initial testing on it before putting it on a variac for a soft start. The picture tube tested in the average to above average range. The first start-up produced nothing as i found it to have an open power switch. After temporarily bypassing the switch i slowly powered it up. All i got was a semi-loud hum in the audio but found out it was producing hv and that the vertical and horizontal circuits were functioning as i can hear the horizontal whine and vertical flutter when turning the controls for them. The cans were cool along with the transformer. The only thing i was puzzled about is that it gets hv at the horizontal tubes (uses 2) and at the cap that connects to the hv rectifier tube but have nothing comming out of the other end to the anode wire. I didnt put my probe on it yet but if anything is comming out it must be weak as i cant draw an arc or snap from the anode lead. I changed the rectifier tube but still the same result. I can draw a nice arc from the cap from the flyback to the tube and the horizontal tubes so they are working. This uses a doorknob cap under the rectifier socket but dont know how to test those. Any idea's on what can cause this besides the doorknob cap. I checked the resistor going across the rectifier socket and its within spec. I know..i know..it will be getting new caps and any out of spec resistors will be changed. This is just a question what to check into while i have the set down for rebuild. By the way the Halolite is good and working also. Its got alot going for it since the major stuff appears to be in good shape and should come out ok. I would also like to know the year its made? I assume 1954 when comparing it to ads i've come across while searching for info but could not find this exact model thru pictures. Would anyone have a sams for this that i can buy? Any good or bad things i need to know about this set? I'm posting a couple pictures so you know what set i'm talking about. Any help will gladly be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tony

jeyurkon · #2 03-16-2009, 10:23 PM

There should be a chassis number separate from the model number. It would be a number like 1-356.

If the seller is right about it being a 1953 model I should have the schematic and service notes to send to you.

John

jeyurkon · #3 03-16-2009, 10:45 PM

It might be a 1954 model, in which case I might not have the schematic. If you can find a chassis number let me know.

It looks similar to this 1954 24" Huntley, except that yours seems to be mahogany.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1954-SYLVANIA-TV...mZ400037037313

John

damen · #4 03-16-2009, 11:42 PM

Nice score

I would just recap it will probably
work.

John Folsom · #5 03-17-2009, 12:32 PM

That is a beautiful cabinet, glad you saved it. You should NOT be able to get much of an arc from the HV anode like you can on the plate caps of the HOT and HV rectifier. The voltage on the HV anode is DC, whereas the voltage on the plate caps is pulsed AC, which is why you can draw a arc to the tip of a insulated screwdriver or other metal object. You will have to measure the HV anode voltage with a meter and HV probe.

Sandy G · #6 03-17-2009, 01:52 PM

Wonder if the "Halo light" works ? That might be tougher to fix than the TV part...

Tony V · #7 03-18-2009, 02:06 AM

Yes, the Halo light is nice and bright. Luckily if it was bad, i have a couple neon sign builders around here that could possibly make a substitute if it was shot. All the major stuff seems to be ok so a restore will be worthwhile without having to hunt for non-available parts. I have always wanted one of these since i saw one playing at the Sledworks Antique Mall in Duncannon, PA.

Dan Starnes · #8 03-20-2009, 05:11 PM

Very nice find. I know of 2 halo's round these parts that I have my eye on. Yours has a really nice cabinet.
Dan

Tony V · #9 03-23-2009, 12:26 AM

I have an update on the Halolight. Bryan was able to send me a schematic for it and i also misread the tube chart as it has a 24cp4 not a 21 inch tube like i originally thought. I edited the first post to reflect that. I worked on it some this evening and found out the lead dress was wrong on the hv rectifier socket. The door knob was also bad. After taking care of that, i now have HV but the screen displays nothing but a horizontal squiggly line so thats where i stand now. At least i know now that all the major parts are good. Now i just got to dig in further.
-Tony

John, the chassis number is 515-1. Although Bryan sent me a schematic, its just that, with no other notes so if you have anything, i would be interested.