Taking a chance on an untested chasis

[kschrief]

Long time lurker, first time poster, beginning collector!

I'm in talks with someone to possibly pick up an early 60s RCA Victor New Vista (https://us.letgo.com/en/i/vintage-rc...4-34bf252ad7c4). I only want the set if it works, or is simple to repair/get repaired. but the power cable is missing. According to the owner, it worked several years ago when last powered on.

My question is, could any horrible damage have occurred in the last few years lying dormant that would cost a very large amount to repair (>$100)? I have enough electronic knowhow to grab or make a new plug, but the little I do know about CRT sets is that I don't know enough, and should absolutely bring the chasis for professional repair if it's damaged.

Thank you all in advance for the advice!

[zeno]

First off assume it is broken. Odds are it needs work or soon will.
The set has no real value so it may be a good learning tool
for you. Bringing it to a shop probably will not help. Most wont
touch it with a ten foot pole for many good reasons. Fixing
it is not rocket science. A little basic electronics knowledge. a
meter & hand tools can get you far especially when you add
help from here.

Before you buy you should at least look inside for a CRT "brightener".
Its a round part thats added to the CRT socket. Plugs in series
with the CRT & regular socket. If it has one the CRT is weak or dead.

Good luck

73 Zeno

[Electronic M]

Untested it is not worth more than $50 (so don't loose your but buying it). Vacuum tube based TVs (IE most sets pre-1973) even if working will need annual maintenance if used more than a couple hours a week. Learning to solder and do repair work is important if you wish to make such a set a high usage/daily driver set.

When you get it find the chassis number (on RCA: color number is CTC-## monochrome is KCS-## ) then get the photofact folder (don't buy it from sam's tech publishing their prices are a ripoff)....It is like the Chilton's auto repair manual of the TV world. You should also get a cheap DMM and buy or get access to a tube tester and a CRT tester.

These sets can usually be repaired cheap, but sometimes can be expensive to fix. The CRT and flyback are the two most expensive parts either will run you close to $100, but it is not common for them to be bad and usually one is good. If one is shot you could reclaim your purchase price by parting the set out.

[maxhifi]

That looks like a black and white tv. I have a very similar TV, also a new-vista. I replaced half a dozen capacitors, and two tubes, and it works superb. I use it every day, actually. I like black and white TVs because they're simple and don't have all that convergence and colour demodulation nonsense to worry about and adjust.

Plug it in, if the screen lights up you're good to go (well, I mean the major parts are working). Don't bother messing with it at all unless you plan to learn how to repair it yourself.. if you're paying someone it will become an expensive and unsatisfying hobby. With a set like that I would just plug it in and turn it on, and see what happens. Definitely wouldn't take it home untested for anything other than almost free.

[kschrief]

Thanks for the responses!

While not what I was hoping for, it's what I kind of figured. You're all right. I shouldn't expect to get a hold of a 55-ish year old set in working shape without getting my hands dirty, and I agree it would make the experience a lot more fun. I do similar with computers all the time, so making the switch to TVs shouldn't be the end of the world. I'll start doing the appropriate basics research.

That's great to know about the price, though. For <$50, I think I'm willing to take a gamble, forge a plug, and see what happens. That being said, I'll also keep an eye out for the brightener, and assume a dead CRT if it's there.