Philco Projection TV Model 48-2500

I just received this old TV. What is is worth and can I get parts for it if needed.

[Sandy G]

Well, Welcome to AK, why don't you take off yer shoes & set a spell? We'll get around to what yer tv's worth directly. First, on inspection, is it complete? DON'T succumb to temptation, plug it in, & "fire it up"-you may be doing exactly that. Some of the old components-capacitors, resistors, tubes may have gone south on you and could be DANGEROUS. Luckily, most are still available today, w/the possible exception of the CRT, or projection tube. THAT can be problematical. Unless you've worked on an old TV or radio, I'd STRONGLY suggest you get in contact to one of the several folks here who does that sort of work. You can screw yr new treasure up but good, or possibly kill yrself if you don't know what you're doing. As to what its worth, w/o seeing it there's really no way to make an accurate determination. I CAN tell you it was made in 1947-48, & is quite probably a rare byrd indeed. Hope this helps.-Sandy G.

I received it from my grandmother last night who told me that it was from about 1949. I do know that it was working in the 1970's when I was a kid. It is a complete unit and the cabinet needs a little TLC. I think you are correct that I could get hurt if I touched the wrong thig.....Can anyone offer some suggestions on how to get it working?

I live in Pennsylvania just outside of Philadelphia if this would help with my finding someone that can look at the unit.

You are a little far away but I have 2 spare chassis and other parts for the set. I have a very nice 48-2500 in my collection that I restored about 20 years ago and still works great. It is an amazing set to watch and has a great picture.
I could restore the main chassis for you,if you like. I am in the Chicago area but UPS gets to me ok.

[bgadow]

Philco made these sets easy to date since the first 2 digits indicate the model year. If the tv was working okay in the seventies & wasn't used too much after that then the picture tube may still be healthy. I think these projection sets were rough on them. There are a few members on here in your general area. Maybe one will come along & be able to meet with you? I would say the there are better than even chances that this tv will work alright once the capacitors are replaced. This isn't a job for beginners, at least not with out a good hand to guide them along.

Thanks, I am in the process of cleaning it up a little. I do want to restore it though.

[Dave S]

It's always nice to find a treasure at a swapmeet or yard sale, but I think there's nuthin' better than being your generation's custodian of a family heirloom (especially one that glows and makes noise when it's on!)

[Dave A]

Five-O

While cleaning it up, resist the temptation to Windex the reflective screen. Most any solvent will remove a coating crucial to the reflection process.

It will be a beast to get going and be sure to avail yourself of any offer of help here if you have never done this before. The CRT is not uncommon and can be replaced. Lot's 'o volts inside there, so don't try power right now.

I am not far from you and can stop by and give it a look-see. Use the PM system to send me a note.

Try to post a digital photo of it for our enjoyment. If you do not have one, I can do that too.

Dave A

[Dave S]

Dave,

I don't have one of these, but according to the ETF website: "Unlike all the other projection sets of the time, it used a custom-designed 4 inch CRT."

So Five-O, until you can be sure, best to be r-e-a-l careful about that tube! (I am an EXPERT on not being real careful with rare picture tubes!) Take Dave A up on his offer to help out if you can, he's pretty good with this stuff!

[nasadowsk]

Bear in mind projection's use voltages up to 25,000 volts, which are not fun to get tangled up with, though the horizontal output pulses (lower volts but more amps) arte probbably more dangerous. If you're unsure at all, don't mess around in there or power it up. Of course, if it's sat unplugged for a long time, it's safe, but be aware the CRT is a fragile little thing.

I'd expect at minimum, the HV box will need to be kept religiously clean...

Don't these sets use that Norelco setup?

Hi, I'm new, so please forgive me if I violate any local rules of (I want to use the word that sounds like ate-a-cat, but that's so far away from my attention these days that I can't even figure out how to spell it with the help of a dictionary) politeness. In other words, if I'm gauche.

I, too, am interested in how much these things might be worth, and how to go about selling it. I notice that nobody has given any estimates. I know the only people who would be interested are collectors, and therefore unpredictable to put it kindly, but no one has any idea? Should I just give it away or take it to the dump? There's a neighbor who'se interested.

I inherited one of these from my father. He kept it well maintained. It still works quite well, with the somewhat soft focus image it always had, that looks a lot better than it really is. I grew up watching that TV.

I have the original owner's manual and a loose leaf service manual with a lot of updates. The grill cloth has been replaced, but it was done so long ago it probably looks period to anyone these days. I have two spare picture tubes with little or no use. A friend made them for dad when the tubes were no longer available, back in the 1970s I believe. The one in it now is one of the three that he made. Each one has a different color tone to it: neutral, slightly blue, and slightly yellow (borwn).

Going from memory, watching dad work on this, I believe the picture tubes are more like 3" diagonal or less; maybe about the same size as four postage stamps. That may be my memory exaggerating, though; last time I looked at one of the tubes was decades ago. But I certainly remember the imaging part was tiny although the tube was probably about a foot long. I know they were not available for quite a while back then, but maybe someone makes them now? That would be very surprising but could be true.

Cheers,
Bob

[ChuckA]

Bob,

I have seen these sets go for as little as "free, take it away" to about $200. I recently bought 3 of them for $50. I parted them out as I needed the screens, due to stupidity. As Dave has mentioned don't clean them , just dust 'em.

The CRT's are 4" and were designed for this set, you may be thinking of the 3" CRT used in the Norelco projection assembly used by a few manufacturers, Scott, FADA, & Decca. I have a PDF file of a 1947 report on this set on my web page http://www.myvintagetv.com/philco_48-2500.htm, if you are interested in some background on the design.

The one critical part on almost all projection sets is the condition of the spherical reflection mirror that is used. The mirror is front silvered and over the years it will have deteriorated, so the light output will have dropped off greatly. There are companies that will re-silver the mirror, about $125, but if you intend to use the set it will be the difference between night and day. I've had 6 mirrors done over the past couple years.

The flat relector mirror can be replaced with a thin rear silvered mirror with very little impact in quality.


Just about all projection sets you will find use between 22 and 25KV due to X-ray production when raised above that. When you get into commercial projectors the sky is the limit, I just finished restoring a Theater Network Television that uses 36-38KV and getting ready to start on a color projector that uses 40KV+ (VERY SCARY)

And there were sets that used 80KV

Chuck

[Dave A]

After a quick trip through Irfanview to re-size the photos of his set, they are attached for all to check out.

If you don't have Irfanview, be sure to download it. It is a freeware graphic program that batch re-names, converts file types, re-sizes, changes brightness and color settings, and does the dishes. Best freeware out there.

You can get it here; http://www.irfanview.com/

And be careful if you run in to Chuck A. He is starting to glow in the dark.

Dave A

[Eric H]

I have one of these too.
It's a real dog and i have been thinking about busting up the cabinet for firewood and selling the rest but now you guys have got me interested in fixing it again!