Admiral Roundie Something explodes

[Reece]

Yes, get a $3 meter from Harbor Freight or whereever, it won't be the best but will do 90% of what you need it for, which is voltage, continuity, and resistance testing. Don't overlook that the filament wires may not be soldered well in the CRT plug.

[kramden66]

perhaps the tube went to air and the filaments lit and burned out ? go over it with a magnifying glass and see if there are any holes or cracks ? they have low priced meters at walmart , one is like $10 and the other for around $25 is auto ranging , found in the auto dept

mike

[Jeffhs]

Amateur Electronic Supply in Milwaukee sells Velleman multimeters for about $10. They aren't incredibly fancy (just one large knob on the front panel below the display for range changing and power switching, as well as the jack panel), although they do have a transistor and diode test function. I purchased one, albeit a more deluxe version, about five years ago, as I am rebuilding my toolbox (left most of my tools back at my former residence when I moved here eleven years ago). This meter works well enough for my purposes and is my first new item of test gear; it should also work well for you, if all you are interested in at this point are continuity testing and voltage readings -- although the transistor and diode test function could come in handy for you if you ever get an older transistor portable radio with plug-in transistors, such as the Zenith Royal 500 series or one of the solid-state Transoceanics.

Amateur Electronic Supply's website and physical street address are as follows:

Amateur Electronic Supply
5710 West Good Hope Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53223

Toll free order line: 800.558.0411
AES web site: www.aesham.com

You can also order an AES catalog on the website; it's been a while since I used that link as I am on their mailing list, so I can't tell you at the moment where it would be on the home page.

You do not need to be a radio amateur to order from AES; many non-hams order equipment such as radios, digital TV antennas, etc. from them all the time.

73 (best of regards) and good luck restoring your antique Admiral TV. As I think I mentioned to you in another post, it's a great feeling to get these old sets working again as they did when they were new. Don't forget, you will need an ATSC->NTSC converter box and probably an outdoor antenna to receive digital TV signals on your set, although it will work with rabbit ears if there are still LP (low power) or translator stations on VHF channels in your area.

BTW: Don't expect to see or hear anything on channel 1 (I think your Admiral TV, being a 1948 model, has a 13-channel tuner). The FCC originally reassigned the frequency range (originally 44-50 MHz) to other services around 1949 or so; in fact, this range was eventually realigned and became, in the early 1950s, what is now the amateur six-meter band.

[tvcollector]

That is true, I will get one in the near future.... theres a couple of other things i would like to get, But i just have to learn how to use test equipment, some if it is hard, and i think requires alot of math to figure out reading etc.

[tvcollector]

To be off subject.. When i called the 800 number of wmicronics.com first time i got a hold of someone, the second time i called, i got an answering service in reference to a Doctors office.. I thought that was kinda weird, than i called the regular number, and the same guy answered and said he is doing research or something about the model, and would call back Monday, than i read the threads on here, so when or if they call back, im going to say i heard to much bad news about your site, and don't trust you..

Hawkeyeguy says that a museum in Ohio is suppose to open soon and is going to have the equipment to rebuilt tubes..

[tvcollector]

Good news. My TV man picked up the chassis today and he was looking at it, and the Power transformer is good, and the other high voltage trannys are good, was able to get sound and somewhat a picture with his test tube.. Bad news is that the Picture Tube is dead, open filament.... It was a cap like you all said that was making the noise and smoking, and i think the vacuum tubes are all fine aswell..He also said a 12KP4 tube would work also.. So now im desperately looking for a picture tube, and no im not desperate enough to pay alot more than what there worth.. So I'm on the hunt for a 12LP4 or a 12KP4..

[radio63]

Originally Posted by tvcollector

I tested another tube with the Sencore, and it worked with that one.. I have no other test equipment.. My guess is that the filament inside the tube was week and would have probably blown once the chassis was recapped and powered up the tube.. I looked inside the tube neck and i don't see anywhere that anything shorted out

You have a Sencore CR-70 but don't have a basic multimeter??? A meter should be your first piece of test gear. Also, I gather that you don't have much experience with vintage electronics seeing as you plugged in this set without giving it a thorough check-out. I think you need to learn basic electronics and learn how a VOM works. In addition you need to learn quirks of tube gear and the dangers within, especially TV sets. I would get books, and study and learn all you can. This is a great place to get info but you have to have a solid foundation of basics in order to move ahead.