Zenith Roundie Still Not Running

[compucat]

I installed the vertical output transformer that I got from Zenithfan1 and the transformer works fine. When I turned the set on after installing the transformer I have restored vertical function. I had the set laying on its side for servicing. Since it was working, I turned it off and was going to stand it upright so I could make the height and linearity adjustments. When I urned it on, it worked for about two minutes and then I heard arcing and the raster started to disappear. It turned out that the damper tube started arcing. Now I have no HV and the horizontal output tube is toast. I was able to get it going again for a short time by turning the set on its side, and tapping the damper tube so I know the vertical is alright and I suspect that the damper shorted out when I turned the set over. Nothing appears to be out of order with the high voltage section or the work I did. A year ago I replaced all the power tubes when I did the restoration. I would have expected to get at least a few years out of these tubes.

Can damper tubes fail like this? I'm beginning to wonder if these early color sets are really all that reliable. The picture quality is unbelievable but am I going to have problems with this set every year? How do those of you with a fleet of early color sets keep them all running or do you just pick out a favorite and give it all the frequent service it requires? I'm going to order the tubes and get it going again. I hope it stays fixed for more than a year this time or am I being unrealistic?