Early tv techs faced color challenge

[Findm-Keepm]

Originally Posted by oldtvman

I worked at an Rca parts distributor as service manager. The most popular tube was the 6gh8, followed by the horz out and damper tubes and of course the 3a3 and 6bk4

When I worked at the local RCA/GE distributor (they were still their own companies back then) we sold TONS of 6GH8A's, usually a sleeve of 5 or more to some shops. We were also a PTS module distributor, and I can remember the top selling modules for most sets - JA modules for Motorola, MAD001 and MAG001/2 modules for RCA, 703644-2/-3/-4 modules for Magnavox, and 9-92 and 9-86 modules for Zeniths. We'd run out and have a backorder on most of these. PTS had a policy of limiting us to 5 each when we ordered.
I also remember selling CRTs - 23VAL/23VAT and 25A/AX series tubes, and the occasional 19" tube. We carried Empire and Channel Master - both great tubes, but man those Channel Master trucks were a B*TCH to unload when the boss bought more than 20 or so tubes. Empire came UPS.

Cheers,

[oldtvman]

I remember the area where the crt's were stored, it was a really big area with tubes stacked to the ceiling. The roundies 21jf's and 25axp22's and whatever else.

[ChrisW6ATV]

I remember replacing or repairing the MAD and MAG modules in our industrial RCA Lyceum TVs around 1982-84. CTC68 chassis.

[dtuomi]

Originally Posted by Adam

It's good to see that portacolor is still working, I bought that in a thrift store in MI a few years ago, and I don't think I ever even had the back off, it probably still has original caps, tubes and everything.

Well guess what. I shouldn't have said anything. One week later and the Portacolor is having problems with vertical lock.

I don't think its a tube though. I think radiotvnut hit it on the head with the 100 uf cap in the vertical section, but we shall see.

Since he needs work now, maybe he's a good candidate for the dc restoration project...

David

[radiotvnut]

Originally Posted by dtuomi

Well guess what. I shouldn't have said anything. One week later and the Portacolor is having problems with vertical lock.

I don't think its a tube though. I think radiotvnut hit it on the head with the 100 uf cap in the vertical section, but we shall see.

Since he needs work now, maybe he's a good candidate for the dc restoration project...

David

I think I confused you regarding the 100 uF cap. That was only used in the '80's GE solid state sets. On your set, I would check:
1. The vertical hold pot. It may be dirty or defective. I think GE had a problem with some of those pots failing.
2. Check / resolder all the connections in the vertical circuit.
3. Clean the tube socket for the vertical tube(s).
4. Check the caps in the vertical sync circuit.

[dtuomi]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

I think I confused you regarding the 100 uF cap. That was only used in the '80's GE solid state sets. On your set, I would check:
1. The vertical hold pot. It may be dirty or defective. I think GE had a problem with some of those pots failing.
2. Check / resolder all the connections in the vertical circuit.
3. Clean the tube socket for the vertical tube(s).
4. Check the caps in the vertical sync circuit.

I'm wondering about the vertical hold pot on it. It decided to be good today, ran all day without any problems. Do those pots have to be replaced or will contact cleaner do the trick?

David

[radiotvnut]

Originally Posted by dtuomi

I'm wondering about the vertical hold pot on it. It decided to be good today, ran all day without any problems. Do those pots have to be replaced or will contact cleaner do the trick?

David

You can try contact cleaner; but, you may eventually have to replace the pot. I had a GE set once that had the vertical hold, vertical height, and vertical lin pots on one assembly. Cleaner didn't work and I had to replace the assembly with individual pots.

[dtuomi]

Thanks for the info.

David

[fujifrontier]

now you've got me interested. those portacolours are cute... gonna have to be on the lookout for one